New Zealand Finds Problem Gambling Increases Inverse to Distance
New Zealand government researchers have found indications that proximity to gambling venues may increase risk of problem gambling. The country's public health department released findings that, while gambling in general did not rise with accessibility, the incidents of compulsive gambling did.
Statisticians involved in the interpretation of the data noted that an uneven balance in sampling designed to incorporate ethnic differences gave limitations to the applicability of the study. Also, no research was done to determine whether problem gamblers had purposely chosen to live close to casinos and gambling venues.
New Zealanders spent over $2 billion on gambling in 2005, although that amount dipped slightly in 2006. Studies have indicated that problem gamblers may make up as much as 3.3% of the New Zealand population.
Christchurch has already moved to reduce accessibility, by outlawing any new poker machines within city limits. Other measures are being debated to prevent gambling outlets from infiltrating neighborhoods.
The significance in distance is found to be under 5 kilometers, or less than 3 miles.
