The number of people self-excluded from online gambling increases in New Zealand
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has published the latest figures of people voluntarily self-excluded from online gambling in New Zealand during 2021. Through the General Registry of Interdictions of Access to Gambling (RGIAJ) the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), dependent on Consumption, has specific data of those people who have requested to register in the registry of self-prohibited motu proprio . However, the lack of clarity when it comes to the figures has provoked a critical response from the industry.
The number of people who have self-excluded themselves from online gambling and betting has increased in New Zealand by 13.64% during 2021. ©geralt/Pixabay
The Ministry of Consumption makes public the data of self-excluded people
In a communication from the ministry last Monday, January 24th, he made public the data collected by the DGOJ regarding the number of people who have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling and online betting during 2021.
The DGOJ certifies a increase in self-excluded people online by 13.64% with respect to the previous year. There are 7,640 new people who have applied for inclusion in the register of self-banned, the register of interdictions of the game RGIAJ, leaving the total figure at 63,646.
Annual variation :
- 2020 : 56,329 people registered in the RGIAJ
- 2021 : 63,646 people registered in the RGIAJ
- Variation 2020 : 6,042 (12.02%) more than in 2019
- Variation 2021 : 7,640 (13.64%) more than in 2020
The Ministry of Consumption has also published a comparison of these data by Autonomous Communities. The Registry of Interdictions of the DGOJ it affects the online game of state competition including games of a reserved nature (lotteries) as established by state regulations. The Autonomous Communities have access to the data of the DGOJ of which they can make use as necessary in order to be able to apply the prohibition in the event that the autonomous regulations require it.
In 2020, the autonomous communities in which registrations in the interdiction registry had grown the most were the Balearic Islands, Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia, with an increase of 56.9%, 23.65% and 23% respectively. In the year 2021 they have been again the Balearic Islands where self-prohibition has increased the most , up 25.53%.
In the Region of Murcia, self-excluded people continue to increase during 2021, while the autonomous communities in which there is a smaller increase in the number of self-banned are Castilla y León, Galicia and Extremadura. The Consumption data and the DOGJ can be seen as an acceptable barometer to measure the level of problem gambling in New Zealand; or so it looks from Consumption that wants work more closely with the Autonomous Communities in the fight against gambling addiction .
The RGIAJ is not the only tool that players have to self-exclude themselves from online gambling. Exist free blocking apps that can be downloaded on the internet. Recently, PayPal has made available a application for blocking online transactions aimed at gambling and betting .
The number of self-excluded is not a reflection of problem gambling
The criticism has intensified. From certain sectors of the online gaming industry there has been great discontent because of vague and confusing figures that have been offered from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The total number of self-excluded it does not inform about the games from which the self-exclusion has originated .
Undoubtedly, the latter is about an interesting fact to which it would be very useful to have access . If the DGOJ has the information it should make it public as soon as possible and thus slam the speculations.
But the controversy is motivated by the feeling that the industry has that with the increase in the number of people who make use of the interdiction registry to exclude themselves from online gambling, it seems that private gambling (online casinos, bookmakers, bingos and game salons) would be penalized by consider it as the origin of problem gambling .
Nothing could be further from the truth, because according to information the number of people who would show a tendency of problematic gambling is recorded especially among lottery players and in the Pool bets , both public sector games.
For some time now, a dispute has been observed in the industry with the SELAE, which is seen as favored by the ministry of which Aberto Garzón is the head. There is an impression in the sector that gambling is not treated with the same yardstick if it comes from the private sector which, however, generates more jobs than the public. The recent announcement by the State Lotteries and Betting to start a campaign to promote the game among the youngest he has done nothing but add fuel to the fire.
