Warning issued over online scratch cards
Plans to sell scratchies online will likely result in a ‘‘significant increase’’ in gambling harm, the Ministry of Health is warning.
However, regular scratchie user Emlyn Williams, 30, said ‘‘the glory of the scratchie’’ will disappear.
‘‘If you take away the scratch, what’s the point,’’ he said.
Williams doesn’t think scratchies accessible online problem.
‘‘Gambling is everywhere, casino is 24 hours. If people want to gamble they will,’’ he said.
Lotto New Zealand announced last year it would like to sell its Instant Kiwi tickets online through its website and app.
But advice provided to the Government has highlighted the risks of putting the game in the pockets of gamblers.
In a document sent to Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne, which was released under the Official Information Act, the Ministry said it was well established that continuous forms of gambling such as Instant Kiwi are more harmful.
In Australia, where gambling is more developed, online scratchies have been banned because of their repetitive nature.
They could also act as a gateway to more harmful forms of gambling and data showed there had been a 36 per cent increase between July 2012 and July 2015 in problem gamblers seeking help for issues with Instant Kiwi.
‘‘If Lotto NZ introduces E-instants it is likely to result in a significant increase in gambling harm,’’ the report says.
To combat this the Ministry has recommended a $100 monthly spend limit be applied, but noted that Lotto was likely to lean towards a $500 limit.
The suggestion of online scratchies horrified one former gambling making will be a addict, who said Lotto would be ‘‘rubbing their hands together’’ at the prospect.
The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he began spending on Instant Kiwi tickets but soon moved to the casino.
After eventually banning himself from those premises he started buying entire books of Instant Kiwi tickets at $250 each.
The man eventually began embezzling funds and was caught. At that point he sought help for his addiction.
Introducing scratchies dangerous, he said.
‘‘Cellphones are already addictive so I can imagine the Lotteries Commission is just rubbing their hands together.’’
Problem Gambling Foundation spokeswoman Andree Froude agreed and said the proposal was extremely concerning.
If they went online the amount people could spend should be minimal and people should be able to ban themselves from playing, she said.
‘‘That ($500) seems seems to be very high.’’ online high, was that