New Zealand is a relatively small nation of approximately four-million people. It is situated low in the Pacific, and its closest neighbor is Australia. Its landmass covers an area roughly the size of the United Kingdom, and consists of two main islands stretching across sub-tropical and temperate climates. New Zealand was first settled by the Polynesian people about 1250 years go.

The Polynesians have inhabited many islands in the south Pacific. They were the islands only inhabitants until the British settlers arrived in 1769. Along with a new look, new religion, and new law, Britain also brought new customs. The British were very advanced for the time, something that took the Polynesian people by surprise. One of the many new customs they were introduced to was gambling.

Gambling was not part of the way of life for the people prior to European contact. Once the British brought their love for horse betting and card playing, the phenomenon caught on. Informal number games and various raffles soon followed, but as the government became more organized, it started to regulate these forms of gambling in order to prevent abuse, and ensure their fair share of revenue from the activity. Prior to the 1980s, gambling on horse races had been an essential part of popular culture, mostly for men.

The women enjoyed various bingo games in church. In the mid 1980s, a series of sweeping fiscal reforms brought in an extended period of liberalization of marketing and regulatory regimes. The government relinquished their tight control over gambling, in order for the economy to expand.

The floodgates were now open for a liberalized gambling industry. With money to be made from taxation, the gaming industry began to grow exponentially. Gambling legalization turned New Zealand completely around. The money started flowing in swiftly.

The total money lost on gambling rose from $0.1-billion in 1979, to $1.9-billion in 2003. The number one reason for this rapid increase is undoubtedly the rise in availability of electronic gambling machines. These were first introduced in New Zealand in 1991, and quickly became a common fixture in most locations with liquor licenses: bars, clubs, and societies.

It was in the transition period of moving from a low-access to a high-access gambling environment that the outline for harm was recognized. This ultimately led to a domino pattern of deregulation for which the mass public had very little preparation. In a period where gambling was in almost every community, people were finding themselves addicted to gambling. For New Zealanders born into the gambling-crazed era, they knew no other way of life.

The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand was created to help those living with a gambling problem.

For the most part, the problem is under control and many gamblers are now learning to be responsible. Various casinos and horse tracks can be found in New Zealand. Millions of people frequent the Sky City Auckland, the Christchurch Casino, the Dunedin Casino, the Sky City Hamilton, Sky City Queenstown, Lasseters Wharf Casino, and more.

SkyCity Auckland - Auckland - New Zealand
Tel: 0800 759 2489
SKYCITY Auckland is a Casino in Auckland, North Island, New Zealand and is open daily 24 hours, closed christmas day, good fri and half-day anzac day. The 53,886 square foot casino features 1,647 slots and 110 table games. The property has nine restaurants and a hotel with 344 rooms....read more »