Self exclusion an answer to problem gambling

Self exclusion, where problem gamblers make themselves known to venues and request to be denied access to gambling machines, can be a surprisingly effective way to tackle problem gambling, a conference heard today.

Problem Gambling Foundation director Philip Townshend told the combined Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) and Cutting Edge Addiction Conference in Auckland that, under the Gambling Act 2003, venues had to refuse access to gambling areas to anyone who had made such a request.

"It's a way a problem gambler can help protect themselves, and it tends to work in many cases," Dr Townshend said.

Brenda McQuillan, who presented with Dr Townshend, spoke about her own experience of using self exclusion to combat problem gambling.

"It's very public in that you have to send a photo of yourself and a letter to every venue in town that says, 'I am a problem gambler', which involves a significant embarrassment and shame factor."

However, Ms McQuillan said knowing she would suffer the humiliation of being barred if she entered the gambling area helped her get some control over her life and deal with her overwhelming urges to gamble.

Dr Townshend said pokies were like vending machines that dispense addictive gambling highs.

"They can be used quietly for hours on end with no warning signs sent out that someone is getting themselves in too deep, or gambling away needed money for groceries."

By 2009 all pokies would be required to have auto-interrupt features regularly informing users of their time spent and amounts lost gambling, Dr Townshend said.

He would also like to see mandatory and specific warnings included so gamblers think about what they are potentially losing.

- NZPA