The Centre for Gambling Studies (CGS) is part of the University of Auckland’s Section of Social and Community Health and is committed to providing independent and quality research and learning, to minimise harm from gambling and to promote gambling related wellbeing within communities.
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This research has been commissioned by the Ministry of Health to investigate the effectiveness of intervention services for problem gambling in New Zealand. The purpose of this research project is to provide a better understanding of the range of treatment approaches utilised in New Zealand and whom they are effective for.

The research is to be conducted over two phases:

Phase One: Qualitative Study

Phase One of the research sought to identify the range of services provided and the theoretical models used by problem gambling intervention services in New Zealand through qualitative interviews. It was also to understand what practitioners, service users and families considered as helpful and less helpful in terms of reducing harms caused by problem gambling.

Phase Two: Clinical Trial (This is what the current request is about)

The second phase aims to recruit 200 people who reside in Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Nelson and Christchurch and have concerns about their playing of pokie machines to investigate the effectiveness of two intervention modalities: face-to-face counselling and interventions over the phone.

Research Aims

1) Are these interventions effective in controlling gambling behaviours and reducing harm caused by problem gambling?
2) How effective are the interventions? What is the magnitude of the effect?
3) To develop and recommend processes and methodologies for a full-scale trial to extend research in this area.

Phase Two Research Design

The study will be described as “Xgamble” to all participants. The ‘X’ signals the fact that intention of this trial is to help participants to stop or control gambling. Additionally, the ‘X’ represents the four New Zealand population groups; namely, New Zealand European, Maori, Pacific Islanders and Asian peoples, who are the target population groups of the present study.

For further details please contact:
Dr Samson Tse
Director (acting), Centre for Gambling Studies, School of Population Health, University of Auckland
09 3737599 ext 86097
[email protected]