What is the Problem Gambling Foundation?
The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF) is a national non-profit organisation predominantly funded by the Ministry of Health with funds received from the gambling levy.
PGF is the largest single treatment provider for problem gambling in Australasia with over 60 locations throughout New Zealand and a staff of 58. Qualified counsellors provide free, professional and confidential counselling services for both gamblers and others affected by gambling and a dedicated Public Health team works on problem gambling issues in the community using a health promotion approach.
PGF’s Asian Family Services provide professional counselling and advice in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai.
Mapu Maia, PGF’s Pacific unit, provide a dedicated, culturally appropriate service for Pasifika. Its focus is to work with Pacific communities educating and raising awareness about the harm that gambling can cause. Mapu Maia provide counselling and support for Pacific families in Auckland that need help with problem gambling.
The Problem Gambling Foundation’s mission is building healthy communities together, free from gambling harm.
The Foundation is committed to health promotion that contributes to safer gambling practices through community education and the development of regulations and standards.
PGF believes in:
Informing Change: By building a knowledge centre and disseminating information, individuals, communities and other service providers can work together to change the gambling environment in which we live.
Changing Lives: We provide a free, professional and confidential, quality counselling service for individuals, families and others affected by problem gambling. This service has focused on individual face-to-face counselling, enhanced by support groups. Although PGF services are free, donations are always greatly appreciated to support us in our mission to be free from gambling harm.
Changing Communities: Our Public Health team is the first dedicated team to work on problem gambling issues using a health promotion approach. They work collaboratively to raise awareness and promote healthy responses to gambling. Our Asian Family Service team works holistically with Asian communities to strengthen their resilience to problem gambling as does our Mapu Maia team for Pasifika clients.
Changing Environments: PGF supports the development of an effective and caring public health policy for the maintenance and regulation of gambling in New Zealand through advocacy and social justice.
Problem Gambling Library
PGF hosts an extensive specialist library of over 5500 items, which is open to the public or can be accessed online www.pgfnz.org.nz/library
The librarian is able to help with literature searches and reviews. The librarian produces key fact sheets on gambling issues which can also be accessed online.
How is it funded?
PGF is funded primarily by the Ministry of Health, but also PGF does contract work with those who share its mission in eliminating harm, and receives donations.
How can I get their help?
National freephone: 0800 664 262
Asian Family Hotline: 0800 862 342 (Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and English)
Mapu Maia: 0800 664 262
Website: www.pgfnz.org.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pgfnz
Twitter: @pgfnz
Visit one of their clinics (go to the website to find your closest clinic)
How much does it cost?
The Problem Gambling Foundation provides free and confidential services for individuals and others affected by problem gambling.
Link to the Problem Gambling Foundation Website
This website is dedicated to providing New Zealanders with all the help they need in overcoming a gambling addiction, while creating greater awareness of this very serious problem. The site details the Problem Gambling Foundation’s counselling, research and training services, along with various reports, media releases, and links to other gambling organisations around New Zealand. The Foundation aims to eliminate harm caused by gambling, while changing lives, changing communities and changing environments.
