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Safer Gambling Push from Regulators Down Under
By Shane Addinall Jul 02, 2022 IndustryGambling regulatory bodies from Australia and New Zealand work to make their countries safer for consumers. This includes legal gambling options and support for those most vulnerable in the community.The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) continues to improve the country's gambling industry. Its most recent work includes a national self-exclusion program for Aussies to take a break from harmful gambling habits. The authority doubled down on gambling regulation in the last few years and blocked hundreds of black-market operators.
In New Zealand, the government announced a substantial increase in monetary contributions from its side and strategies to outline the channelling thereof. The NZ$76.12 million increase in investment in gambling harm support will provide enhanced services for gambling-related harms. Plans spread across the next two years and include funds from operator levies.
ACMA Stepping in for Vulnerable Consumers
The Aussie watchdog changed gears with its gambling regulation duties by focusing on the consumer instead of hunting down illegal operators. In the last couple of years, the ACMA weeded out unlawful online casinos to such an extent that many black-market providers voluntarily stepped away from the market.
Now the ACMA wants to help gambling-harm victims recover, and the authority believes a national self-exclusion program is an essential part of the process. The self-exclusion register forms part of the Australian regulator's measures to manage gambling regulations, as announced in their 2022-2023 rules of compliance. Anyone who wants to opt out of gambling can do so by enlisting in the program.
The ACMA expressed its confidence in the program's success, which is currently in its grassroots phase, and the body believes it can deliver better overall protection for gamblers in Australia. Instead of taking a hyper-focused approach to gambling, the regulator broadened its scope to protect consumers in several areas. For instance, consumers who opt out of other types of subscriptions will also receive support from the ACMA.
Recent studies revealed that 60% of Australians who unsubscribed from services still received communication, which is what the regulator wants to stamp out.
New Zealand Government Invests in Consumer Protection
Andrew Little, New Zealand's Minister of Health, announced an enhanced services program to address gambling harm in the country. Along with an additional NZ$15.78 million in levy contributions from the last financial period, the government increased funding by NZ$76.12 million.
The programme, designed to address the Labour government's plans to support gambling harm and associated problems, runs from this year to 2024/25, and it has the largest investment support the industry has seen in over 20 years. Minister Little stated:
"One in five New Zealanders will experience gambling harm in their lives or know someone close who does. The new funding and strategy align our gambling harm prevention and minimisation efforts with the reforms to the health and disability system and the new mental health system we're building."
A series of education initiatives included in the Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm aims to reduce harm to younger citizens. The program focuses on breaking down stigmas to encourage conversations around gambling harm and empower those who need help to ask for it. They include expanded digital services and support in the plans to train and empower support workers through this. Better support for vulnerable communities, as well as a more diverse workforce, which includes peer and cultural support, forms part of the new roll-out.
Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti explains that effective gambling regulations allow support systems to deal with financial harms, relationship problems, domestic violence, and substance abuse. He continues by stating that the strategy proves the government's commitment to protecting citizens.
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