Online Gambling Ruins Woman’s Life
- Is online gambling inherently more perilous than other forms of betting?
- Tracey, not her real name, never considered herself a gambler.
- “I got addicted to gambling by an email that I received out of the blue,” she recounts.
The Rising Tide of Online Gambling: A Risky Proposition?
Table of Contents
- The Rising Tide of Online Gambling: A Risky Proposition?
- Online Gambling: Risks, Regulations, and Reality in New Zealand
- Is Online gambling More Perilous Than Traditional Gambling?
- What Makes Online Gambling So Risky?
- How Prevalent is Problem gambling among Online Casino Users?
- how Does online Gambling Compare to Pokies in Terms of Risk?
- What is New Zealand Doing About Online Gambling?
- Why is New Zealand Legalizing Online Gambling?
- What Safety Measures Are Being Considered for Online Gambling?
- How Can Online Gambling Lead to Addiction?
- What Does the Problem Gambling Foundation Say About online Gambling?
- Real Life Impact
- How Can I Recognize a Gambling Problem?
Is online gambling inherently more perilous than other forms of betting? The question arises as the goverment prepares to legalize it.
Tracey, not her real name, never considered herself a gambler. Occasional pokies at the pub with her husband and the odd Lotto ticket were the extent of her experience. However, everything changed when an online casino targeted her.
“I got addicted to gambling by an email that I received out of the blue,” she recounts.
The online casino enticed her with offers she couldn’t resist. “I had the free spins and I did quite well. I used the $1000 free money.”
These occasional spins soon morphed into a regular habit, a refuge from the pressures of caring for others and navigating arduous times.
“This online gambling took me to a place where there were no demands on me,” Tracey explains. “I was in my own space. It was peaceful. I even used to turn the sound off and that just became such a lure.”
Once the initial offers dried up, she started using her own money.
“My husband, at that stage, never had anything to do with our finances,” she says. “I handled everything and I had done ever since we’d been married. He never looked at the accounts. So for me, it made it quite easy to go undetected.”
As losses mounted,Tracey panicked and began using her employer’s funds.
“when I stole, it was going to be, ‘That’s the only time. I’m never going to do it again,’ but that didn’t happen.The hold was so great that as soon as I put the money back in our accounts I would use it again.”
This pattern continued for a year. Overwhelmed by guilt, Tracey admits she “left it open” for her theft to be discovered.
The truth emerged when she tried to pay for items at a store and found her accounts frozen.
“It was at that point that I had to actually tell my husband what I had been doing and then the living hell actually became real.”
The reality was stark: she had stolen over $300,000. The legal repercussions loomed,and her anxiety spiraled. What would her husband do? What would become of their home?
“This gambling ruined me. It’s broken me. The power it has over you is indescribable. It turns people who are good human beings – I was generous and helpful and I would save somebody before saving myself – it turns them into this sly,selfish person and all they want to do is get back online.”
Tracey shares her story out of concern that others might fall victim to the allure of online gambling.
The market is already expanding rapidly and is expected to grow further as the government auctions off 15 licenses to online casino operators, likely to be acquired by large, foreign-owned multinational corporations.
Documents obtained reveal that online gambling is indeed the most dangerous form of gambling.
A 2024 Cabinet paper states, “compared to other forms of gambling surveyed, overseas online gamblers were most likely to experience harm from their gambling.”
The paper further notes, “There is a clear relationship between participation in online gambling and gambling harm.”
A 2020 survey indicated that nearly 40% of individuals who gambled with online casinos reported a harm-measure score indicating some level of risk, ranging from low to problem gambler status.
The Cabinet papers highlight, “this popularity with at-risk gamblers exceeds that of class 4 (pokies) – New Zealand‘s highest risk land-based gambling.”
andree Froude, spokesperson for the Problem Gambling Foundation, emphasizes the accessibility and hidden nature of online gambling. “It’s so easy to hide. People carry a device around in their pocket so it’s available 24-7,” she says. “Having it online makes it even more hidden. That’s why it is so risky. It’s just so accessible.”
A balancing Act
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden explained her perspective: “I don’t like gambling,” van Velden said.”But it doesn’t mean that I want to ban it. I still acknowledge that there should be a marketplace for people who do want to access those services.”
Van Velden believes that since New Zealanders are already using online casino sites – spending between $300 million and $700 million in a ‘grey market’ – the government should regulate and tax it, while also promoting safer gambling practices.
She is collaborating with officials on safety measures such as age verification (online gambling will be R-18) and spending and time limits.
“I feel very sad when I think about people who have fallen into addiction in that area and the way that it can affect families and communities,” van Velden said. “What we’re aiming to achieve is a much safer regime than what we currently have.”
The Allure and the Danger
The ease of access and anonymity of online gambling contribute to its potential for harm. Unlike conventional gambling venues, online casinos are available anytime, anywhere.
Tracey’s experience underscores the insidious nature of online gambling addiction. The initial inducements, the escape from daily pressures, and the ability to hide the activity from loved ones all contributed to her downfall.
“Let me tell them, there is nothing they can say or think about me that I haven’t already thought about myself. The self hatred is overbearing at times. The shame has brought me to my knees.”
She reflects on why online gambling was different from the pokies she occasionally played. “To do that, you’ve got to go out, you’ve got to go into pubs, and people will see you and start pointing and saying, ‘Oh, she’s there again,’ sort of thing. this was entirely in your own time, in your own place, wherever you wanted to do it. I did it on my phone. I could do it on my laptop. I could do it at whatever time I wanted to.”
Tracey believes that legalizing online casinos will exacerbate the existing gambling problem in New Zealand. “To this day,I’m still bombarded with emails from online casinos,” she says. “It doesn’t matter how many you block them or send it to junk mail, they just keep coming. There’s no way this could make it any safer for New Zealand. It’s just opening up a bigger can of worms and will make problem gambling in New Zealand ten times worse.”
Online Gambling: Risks, Regulations, and Reality in New Zealand
Is Online gambling More Perilous Than Traditional Gambling?
yes, online gambling is considered by many to be more perilous than other forms of betting.A 2024 cabinet paper indicates that overseas online gamblers are more likely to experience harm.
What Makes Online Gambling So Risky?
Accessibility: Online casinos are available 24/7 on devices like phones and laptops, making it easier to gamble anytime, anywhere.
Anonymity: Online gambling is a solitary activity, easily hidden from loved ones, allowing problem behavior to escalate undetected.
Enticements: Online casinos frequently enough use free spins and bonus money to lure new players,as exemplified by Tracey’s experience.
Difficulty in Tracking: It can be hard to keep track of how much time and money you are spending,
How Prevalent is Problem gambling among Online Casino Users?
A 2020 survey revealed that almost 40% of individuals who gamble with online casinos reported a harm-measure score indicating some level of risk.
how Does online Gambling Compare to Pokies in Terms of Risk?
The Cabinet papers highlight that the popularity of online gambling with at-risk gamblers exceeds that of class 4 (pokies), which are New Zealand’s highest-risk land-based gambling.
What is New Zealand Doing About Online Gambling?
The New Zealand government is preparing to legalize and regulate online casinos. The government plans to auction off 15 licenses to online casino operators.
Why is New Zealand Legalizing Online Gambling?
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden states that New Zealanders are already spending between $300 million and $700 million on overseas online casino sites. Legalizing and regulating will allow the government to tax this activity and promote safer gambling practices.
What Safety Measures Are Being Considered for Online Gambling?
Age verification (R-18)
Spending limits
* Time limits
How Can Online Gambling Lead to Addiction?
Tracey’s story illustrates how the allure of initial offers, the escape from daily pressures, and the ability to hide the gambling activity contributed to a gambling addiction.
What Does the Problem Gambling Foundation Say About online Gambling?
Andree Froude, spokesperson for the Problem Gambling Foundation, emphasizes the accessibility and hidden nature of online gambling, making it highly risky.
Real Life Impact
Tracey’s Story:
Tracey, who was not a regular gambler, became addicted to online casinos after receiving an enticing email. She initially used free spins and bonus money but eventually started using her own and her employer’s funds, ultimately stealing over $300,000. Her story highlights the potential for online gambling to ruin lives.
How Can I Recognize a Gambling Problem?
| Factor | Online Gambling | Land-Based Gambling (e.g., Pokies) |
| —————– | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| Accessibility | Available 24/7 on personal devices, making it easy to gamble anytime, anywhere.| Limited by the opening hours of physical venues (pubs, casinos). |
| Anonymity | Can be done in complete privacy, making it easier to hide the activity from others. | More visible to others, possibly leading to social accountability. |
| Pace of Play | Often faster-paced than land-based gambling, with quicker betting cycles and potentially higher losses in a shorter period. | Typically slower-paced,allowing more time to consider bets. |
| Promotional Offers | Frequently uses bonuses,free spins,and other incentives to lure and retain players. | Less common to offer continuous incentives. |
| Risk of Harm | Higher risk of gambling-related harm compared to other forms of gambling. | Still carries significant risks, but generally considered less risky than online due to the factors mentioned above. |
| Regulation | currently operating in a gray market, leading to less oversight and consumer protection (though this is set to change with upcoming regulations). | Subject to strict regulations and licensing requirements to protect consumers. |
| Social Interaction | Generally lacks social interaction, which can exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness. | Involves social interaction, which can provide a sense of community and support, but also potential peer pressure. |
| Traceability | Spending can be tough to track, especially if using credit cards or e-wallets. | Spending is more easily tracked by observing how much cash is physically spent.|