Tomorrow is Gamblefree Day. In Christchurch, we have a celebration event at Aranui High School (in Lianne Dalziel’s electorate) and I will be heading over there at about midday to support the fun. Come along if you are in Christchurch and support efforts to end harmful gambling! There are events in many parts of the country so hope you can get to something if you are not in our town. Check out http://www.pgfnz.org.nz/Gamblefree-Day-2012
The theme is Choice not Chance – and there is a great website with really thoughtful videos from people who have suffered as a result of a family member’s gambling addiction. There are few more powerful messages than those who are directly impacted by these issues. Have a look on http://choicenotchance.org.nz
It helps people to look for signs if you are concerned you or someone you love has a gambling addiction. If any of these sound familiar, it could point to a problem with your gambling. Things like spending more time or money than you planned; making excuses or being secretive to friends or family about how much money and time you spend gambling; feeling guilty or worried about your gambling; thinking you can gamble your way out of debt; losing interest in your friends, family or other activities; borrowing money for gambling
There’s lots more information – well worth a look. And there is a 24 hour information and support line. 080065465
So hope you can find an event in your town to get along and support Choice not Chance.
I bet no one goes along.
Slightly off topic, so apologies.I am in my late 60′s now and I can still vividly recall the damage done by gambling to our family in my childhood. Dad was addicted to alcohol and gambling, he went bust, took down other people and Mum had three jobs to keep six kids in food and clothing. No DPB in those days.
I hate the races with a passion, I hate gambling and I have come to detest the laissez faire attitude in the community about problem gambling. As a rugby lover I despise those pimps at SkyTV who push gambling at the beginning of rugby matches and make it look acceptable. You don’t see such overt pimping on Aussie TV. To provide the TAB with such a platform is disgraceful. To give the TAB such a prominent position in the commentary build up is unacceptable. Unlike Australian TV they don’t even caution viewers to gamble responsibly.
Now if the Labour Party got as tough with these gambling pimps as we are with tobacco then I would see it as a good step.
I agree, gambling needs to be treated the same way as smoking, and hopefully, alcohol.
I would have thought gambling was a far lesser problem in NZ than alcohol abuse. The occassional flutter is fine, if it stopped at that, at for most, it probably does, but that may be naieve.