Latest news with #problemgambling
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Jersey bill seeks to ban micro betting in sports gambling
TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) — Sports betting could look a little different in the Garden State under a new bill just introduced in the State House. If passed into law, 'micro-bets' in sports games would be banned. 'People are constantly making bets, play after play after play, and there's no let-up,' said Assemblyman Dan Hutchison (D-NJ 4th District), the author of bill A5971. More Local News Also known as in-game live betting, micro bets involve betting on the next immediate action in a game. It could be a bet on whether or not the next play will involve a score, or if the next pitch in a baseball game is a ball or strike. When not serving in the Assembly, Hutchison works as a bankruptcy attorney. 'I will help people who have problems with their debts, and a lot of times people are choosing to place bets over making their mortgage payments,' said Hutchison. He says micro-betting can accelerate the path to problem gambling. 'This is a different type of gambling,' said Hutchison. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, which helps operate the 800-GAMBLER helpline, says this kind of betting can alter brain chemistry, producing dopamine hits in rapid-fire fashion. 'The Council has seen a nearly 300 percent increase in calls to our helpline since sports betting was legalized in 2018,' said Daniel Meara, Communications Specialist for the Council. '[Micro betting] is one of the most troubling manifestations of the new gambling environment.' Some sports bettors in New Jersey, who did not wish to speak on camera, told us they don't often place micro-bets, and instead place bets more on the long-term outcome of a game. If passed into law, the bill would seek to establish penalties for sports wagering licensees who offer micro-bets. No word yet, though, on what those penalties could look like. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
RNZ News
09-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
'No evidence' to show reduction in gambling harm from $81m industry tax
The Ministry of Health hasn't produced evidence to show a reduction in gambling harm from the $81 million in tax on the industry, which includes Lotto. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly The government has decided not to increase a problem gambling tax on the industry following a critical report from the Gambling Commission. The independent regulator says there's no evidence from the Ministry of Health the money from the levy is actually reducing gambling harm. It's the second time the commission has asked the ministry to front up with evidence of the effectiveness of the programme. The Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey said it was concerning it had taken the ministry so long to show its strategy was working. The Ministry of Health said it was undertaking a review of the programme, and was now funding a research programme that would provide evidence for decision-making. The Ministry of Health had suggested increasing the 2025-2028 problem gambling levy by 20.6 percent, to $92 million, but Cabinet instead decided last month it would be kept at $81 million over three years. The levy was imposed on casinos, sports betting, pokie machine operators and Lotto to fund public health and addiction services to minimise gambling harm. Online gambling operators were not included in the levy. The Gambling Commission said in a report issued earlier this year that the ministry had not provided evidence the money from the levy was actually reducing gambling harm. Chief Gambling Commissioner, Susan Hughes, KC, wrote that the commission was "very clear" in 2022 the ministry needed to undertake a major strategic review of its strategy, and it was "disappointed" it had not done so. "The ministry has spent hundreds of millions over a prolonged period of time but there is no evidence that the strategy has had a substantial impact on the level of gambling harm in New Zealand." The commission was also critical of the way the levy was going to be allocated, saying the Ministry of Health's agency costs were budgeted to double, while funding for research and evaluation, and new services, were budgeted to decrease significantly. "The ministry should be exercising restraint, consistent with the entire New Zealand Public Service, and should be imposing the minimum levy necessary, rather than increasing it in a manner that is inconsistent with the current financial climate." Hughes said there was no monitoring or reporting framework to analyse the ministry's strategy and what aspects were working or not. The commission also said the number of presentations to problem gambling services was declining significantly, from 6525 in 2013-2014 to 3615 in 2023-2024, but noted a growing use and concern about online gambling. Minister of Mental Health Matt Doocey. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii The commission noted that numbers of people presenting to gambling services did not fully capture the harm caused by gambling. Doocey said it was worrying the Ministry of Health was taking so long to provide evidence its gambling harm strategy was working. "I think that it's concerning that it's taken so long to see what changes are being delivered as a result. Doocey said the ministry was conducting a review of its strategy and Cabinet would reconsider the levy next year in light of that evaluation. "We want the money that is being invested to be making a real difference on the ground and deliver a return on investment. "Our focus is on delivering timely, effective support to individuals, families, and communities affected by gambling harm. "We will be making sure that New Zealanders are seeing that material difference," Doocey said. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said its gambling harm strategy for 2025-2028 was informed by international and local research, and drew on a range of public health services. The spokesperson said the ministry listened to a range of views during its consultation on the levy and said there was "strong support" for new priorities to prevent gambling harm. "The revised strategy reflects the feedback we received and includes new investment in treatment and support, improving prevention and early intervention initiatives, and improving the effectiveness of support for those experiencing gambling harm." In response to criticism from the commission on the agency's operating costs, the spokesperson said operating costs at the ministry had risen from $3.5 million to $5.2m under the new levy period, and that the Gambling Act required that some part of the levy was used to implement its strategy. Hughes said several problem gambling organisations supported an increase in the levy, with The Problem Gambling Foundation's chief executive Melissa Thompson telling the commission the increase was relatively modest in relation to the growth in spending from gambling products. The Problem Gambling Foundation could not be reached for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
No evidence to show reduction in gambling harm from $81m industry tax
The Ministry of Health hasn't produced evidence to show a reduction in gambling harm from the $81 million in tax on the industry, which includes Lotto. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly The government has decided not to increase a problem gambling tax on the industry following a critical report from the Gambling Commission. The independent regulator says there's no evidence from the Ministry of Health the money from the levy is actually reducing gambling harm. It's the second time the commission has asked the ministry to front up with evidence of the effectiveness of the programme. The Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey said it was concerning it had taken the ministry so long to show its strategy was working. The Ministry of Health said it was undertaking a review of the programme, and was now funding a research programme that would provide evidence for decision-making. The Ministry of Health had suggested increasing the 2025-2028 problem gambling levy by 20.6 percent, to $92 million, but Cabinet instead decided last month it would be kept at $81 million over three years. The levy was imposed on casinos, sports betting, pokie machine operators and Lotto to fund public health and addiction services to minimise gambling harm. Online gambling operators were not included in the levy. The Gambling Commission said in a report issued earlier this year that the ministry had not provided evidence the money from the levy was actually reducing gambling harm. Chief Gambling Commissioner, Susan Hughes, KC, wrote that the commission was "very clear" in 2022 the ministry needed to undertake a major strategic review of its strategy, and it was "disappointed" it had not done so. "The ministry has spent hundreds of millions over a prolonged period of time but there is no evidence that the strategy has had a substantial impact on the level of gambling harm in New Zealand." The commission was also critical of the way the levy was going to be allocated, saying the Ministry of Health's agency costs were budgeted to double, while funding for research and evaluation, and new services, were budgeted to decrease significantly. "The ministry should be exercising restraint, consistent with the entire New Zealand Public Service, and should be imposing the minimum levy necessary, rather than increasing it in a manner that is inconsistent with the current financial climate." Hughes said there was no monitoring or reporting framework to analyse the ministry's strategy and what aspects were working or not. The commission also said the number of presentations to problem gambling services was declining significantly, from 6525 in 2013-2014 to 3615 in 2023-2024, but noted a growing use and concern about online gambling. Minister of Mental Health Matt Doocey. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii The commission noted that numbers of people presenting to gambling services did not fully capture the harm caused by gambling. Doocey said it was worrying the Ministry of Health was taking so long to provide evidence its gambling harm strategy was working. "I think that it's concerning that it's taken so long to see what changes are being delivered as a result. Doocey said the ministry was conducting a review of its strategy and Cabinet would reconsider the levy next year in light of that evaluation. "We want the money that is being invested to be making a real difference on the ground and deliver a return on investment. "Our focus is on delivering timely, effective support to individuals, families, and communities affected by gambling harm. "We will be making sure that New Zealanders are seeing that material difference," Doocey said. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said its gambling harm strategy for 2025-2028 was informed by international and local research, and drew on a range of public health services. The spokesperson said the ministry listened to a range of views during its consultation on the levy and said there was "strong support" for new priorities to prevent gambling harm. "The revised strategy reflects the feedback we received and includes new investment in treatment and support, improving prevention and early intervention initiatives, and improving the effectiveness of support for those experiencing gambling harm." In response to criticism from the commission on the agency's operating costs, the spokesperson said operating costs at the ministry had risen from $3.5 million to $5.2m under the new levy period, and that the Gambling Act required that some part of the levy was used to implement its strategy. Hughes said several problem gambling organisations supported an increase in the levy, with The Problem Gambling Foundation's chief executive Melissa Thompson telling the commission the increase was relatively modest in relation to the growth in spending from gambling products. The Problem Gambling Foundation could not be reached for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Irish Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Free bets and money-back guarantees cause gamblers to bet more, new study shows
Free bets, money-back guarantees and other special offers from gambling companies cause gamblers to spend over 10 per cent more, according to new research. A study by think tank, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), funded by the State's gambling watchdog, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland , found these inducements disproportionately entice those at risk of problem gambling. The research was carried out in the weeks before the 2024 Uefa European Football championship, with a sample of 622 men under the age of 40, the majority of whom were regular gamblers. [ Generation gamble: the invisible addiction crisis gripping Ireland's teenagers Opens in new window ] Participants were given money to place up to six bets on matches in the championship. Half of these participants were presented with offers of free bets and money-back guarantees, causing them to spend more than 10 per cent more, and encouraging about half of the participants to bet. READ MORE Although most of the sample were regular gamblers, most participants were unaware of the terms and conditions of betting inducements. More than half who accepted a free bet believed their stake would be returned if they won, despite this not being standard practice in the market. Some 87 per cent who took a free bet were unaware of the size of the stake, and 63 per cent of those who took the same offer were unaware of what would be returned if they won. Participants exposed to 'bad bets', which offer odds well below market rates, were three times more likely to spend money on these types of bets, despite being better off choosing other options or not betting at all. Dr Diarmaid Ó Ceallaigh, a research fellow in the ESRI 's behavioural research unit, said the findings 'support the case for stricter regulation of gambling offers in Ireland, following steps already taken in other European countries, such as banning sign-up bonuses, restricting offers to at-risk individuals, and capping their value'. Anne Marie Caulfield, chief executive of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, said the findings 'add weight to the discourse around the harms of gambling inducements'.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- BBC News
Gambling centres 'failing to protect' addicts on self-exclusion
Schemes to stop problem gamblers using slot machines offering the hope of quick cash are often not being properly enforced, a BBC investigation has one out of 14 Adult Gaming Centres (AGC) in Portsmouth visited by an undercover reporter who had registered with a self-exclusion scheme declined him have said "loopholes" and a lack of staff training mean people signed up to the schemes are being allowed to build up further Gambling Commission has launched its own investigation, describing the BBC findings as "very concerning". There are nearly 1,500 adult-only gaming centres in Britain, with some open for 24 hours every machines see players spending up to £2 a spin, which lasts just two and a half seconds. Games like Luck of the Irish and Rainbow Riches are fast and noisy with payouts of up to £ critics say they are targeting the poorest people in the UK, encouraging problem gambling, and leaving the most vulnerable in danger of losing try to get control of their gambling addictions, people can apply to join a self-exclusion scheme at an AGC venue where you complete an application form and have your photo are then shared with other AGCs within a 1km radius - or can be extended further afield by calling a the person tries to enter any of these premises within the zone, they should then be asked to are two exclusion schemes - one called SmartEXCLUSION and another run by the AGC trade body, the British Amusement Catering Trades Association (Bacta). As part of a File on 4 investigation, BBC undercover reporter Greg Clark obtained a Bacta exclusion and extended it to a 40km radius of Portsmouth, a city with one of the highest numbers of AGCs in the entered premises in London Road, aiming to play on slot machines for a minimum of 20 minutes, and ensuring he was in full view of the visited three venues in one morning - none turned him away.A fourth, Game Nation, checked his ID and discovered he had self-excluded. He was asked to to the Gambling Commission, details of anyone who has tried to breach their self-exclusion should immediately be shared with other nearby venues - putting them on high when the reporter went to another AGC on London Road, he was welcomed BBC has since learned that two of the premises visited in Portsmouth were not signed up to a self-exclusion scheme at all. If a venue is not part of a scheme, it is in breach of its license. The BBC understands that both of those venues two are now working with a self-exclusion average, each high-stakes machine in the UK pulls in about £32,000 each year - almost as much as the average Matt Gaskell, a consultant psychologist and head of the NHS Northern Gambling Service, said: "The data is there, it's very clear."So it is targeting the most vulnerable people in our communities who could least withstand the harm as it ensues and perhaps might look to the hope of winning on gambling because of their personal circumstances in socially stressed communities." For those struggling with long-term gambling addictions, including Tracy Page, 51, from Droitwich in Worcestershire, the self-exclusion schemes "don't work".She started gambling at bingo with friends and family, but when she went through a tough time in her personal life, her gambling became more frequent and came to a head when she began visiting AGCs."I didn't feel like an addict. I just thought that was just my thing," she said. "And then you start to realise 'I'm not just going once a week, I'm going two, three, four times a week'. "Then you're getting to the point where you can't pay your bills."It fails, there are too many gaps, too many loopholes and I don't believe staff have got the knowledge or the training to be able to say you need to step away." Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for gambling reform, said a lack of enforcement meant AGC companies "don't really care".He said local authorities and the Gambling Commission should have greater powers to intervene if abuses were happening."Most of all we do need to see inspections of those properties," he said."They're not onerous, for just checking that what they're actually doing is what they're meant to do, and they're not doing stuff which is marginally illegal."Tim Miller, executive director of industry regulator the Gambling Commission, said: "I'm really concerned at what you found on the face of it. "It points to self-exclusion schemes not being implemented properly at that local level. "Where we see evidence that gambling companies are not meeting their regulatory expectations will take really robust action against them.'You should be monitoring what's going on in your premises. So if you spot someone that matches one of those photos, you should step in."Not just stopping them from gambling, but providing them with referral to appropriate support as well. "The onus is absolutely on the gambling company and the people within it to spot that individual."He added that local authorities that licenced premises in their areas were funded through the licence fees to inspect gambling businesses to ensure they were compliant. The Department of Culture Media and Sport said: "Adult gaming centres and bingo venues make valuable contributions to the local economy of towns and cities across the country, but it is vitally important that the sector protects vulnerable people."Where operators fail to uphold effective self exclusion schemes, regulatory action will be taken by the Gambling Commission. "We continue to work with the land-based gambling sector to mitigate the risks of harmful gambling and will be seeking further assurances from the adult gaming sector to ensure high standards of regulatory compliance." File on 4 Investigates Adult Gaming Centres will be on Radio 4 at 20:00 BST on you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, BBC Actionline has help and advice on addiction and gambling. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
