New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has made its first prosecution under the nation’s Gambling Act. A mananger of a local gambling venue has become the first person in the country who is charged for their failure to identify a problem gambler.
So far, the DIA has not disclosed the gambling venue where the person worked but revealed that the manager of the gambling venue has been charged for failing to take reasonable measures in order to identify a problem gambler. The charge was announced by Chris Thornborough, who is the Department of Internal Affairs’ gambling group director. Mr Thornborough revealed that the gambling venue’s manager is to face a criminal conviction as well as a monetary fine of NZ$5,000.
As confirmed by a spokesperson for the government organisation, the defendant was employed in a pokie machine venue such as a bar or a pub, not a casino.
Under the existing 2003 Gambling Act, all employees of gambling venues across the country are required to take the necessary steps to identify problem gambling that is actually or could potentially be experienced by players and offer them help.
Gambling Venues Obliged to Look after Their Customers
This is the first time ever when a resident of New Zealand has faced a charge for failing to identify a gambling addict.
As mentioned above, if the gambling venue manager is found guilty, they could face a criminal conviction under which they could be suspended from being directly involved in the gambling industry any more, as well as a monetary fine of up to NZ$5,000.
As the gambling director of DIA explained, there was no excuse for such a failure to identify problem gamblers. Mr Thornborough reminded that the venues are legally obliged to look after their customers, but also shared that he was not able to make commentary on the case’ specific details.
The DIA’s gambling group director also noted that the prosecution showed that local venues would be held responsible in case they ignored patrons who seem to be suffering from a gambling addiction. All gambling operators and their employees who are involved in gambling have to comply with the policies and procedures related to problem gamblers’ identification and management. Mr Thornborough further noted that the prosecution signalled the regulators focus on venues crackdown on venues which fail to meet their obligation.
The gambling regulator of New Zealand urges the gambling operators to address the possible harm that could be inflicted by gambling. Mr Thornborough further explained that that measures would be taken against all venues which ignore their patrons who show signs of problem gambling. That is why the Department of Internal Affairs will regularly carry out audits and will use so-called “mystery shoppers” to check whether venues comply with the regulatory requirements.
- Author
Olivia Cole
