New tools for secondary schools are being produced to help counter the impacts, as part of a partnership between PGF and the NZ Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri’s secondary schools’ programme Tūturu.
PGF’s Director of Advocacy and Public Health Andrée Froude says early exposure to gambling behaviours can lead to long-term harm.
“Loot boxes, designed to mimic gambling, are a common feature in many video games such as Counter-Strike, with players paying to receive randomised items, weapons, or upgrades. A 2017 study found that nearly half of loot boxes reviewed wereconsidered gambling-like.”
“Digital platforms are normalising these behaviours without young people even realising it. We need robust harm minimisation and consumer protection measures to protect young people and other vulnerable groups,” she says.
NZ Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says parents and schools are struggling with an unregulated online gaming and gambling environment, with parents unsure of what they can do, and schools reporting a negative impact on student learning.
“As part of our secondary schools programme, Tūturu, our team is working with PGF to design evidence-based curriculum materials to increase student awareness and build critical thinking and resilience, alongside a professional development unit for school staff.”
It is expected the new resources will be available mid-2025 and would complement government plans to regulate online casinos by 2026.
Tūturu works to increase students’ resilience and critical thinking skills, build pastoral care pathways, and improve school environments to keep young people engaged in school. The programme provides curriculum materials and other resources to schools and builds collaboration between secondary schools and local health providers.
Earlier this year Mapu Maia, a charity that supports Pasifika communities in preventing gambling harm, flagged unregulated online gambling as a growing concern. It reported school counsellors and social workers were increasingly seeking help for young people gambling online, with some students spending thousands of dollars of their parents’ money.
The Problem Gambling Foundation has put together a fact sheet to help parents talk to young people about gambling.
Listen to Morning Report interview with Andree Froude and Corin Dan
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Andree Froude
Advocacy and Public Health Director, PGF Services
Ph 027 489 4801
