June 20, 2024

Global Experts to gather in NZ for the International Gambling Conference 2024

The 2024 International Gambling Conference is happening right here in Auckland, New Zealand, and experts from around the world are due to attend. The July conference is expected to attract over 500 delegates from more than 30 countries, making it one of the largest and most diverse gambling conferences in the world.

The event taking place from 10-12 July 2024 at the Sir Paul Reeves Building at AUT will bring together researchers, policy makers, practitioners, industry representatives, and people with lived experience in the field to share their knowledge, insights and perspectives on contemporary and gambling issues.

On the agenda includes a ministerial keynote address, risky loot box use, disproportionate spending associated with problem gambling, skins and sports betting, the stigma of gambling harm, the public health approach to gambling, new harm minimisation regulations, and of course the concerns around pokies, and, of course, the influence of top NZ online casinos.

The event will include workshops, panel discussions, concurrent sessions and much more.

For anyone who is interested, this is a must-attend event. It will be the chance to learn from the best minds in the field, to exchange ideas and experiences, and to make new connections and collaborations – all to help us progress towards a safer, more equitable gambling industry.

What the event will cover in New Zealand

The entertainment of gambling has been practised for centuries in countless forms and by countless cultures – including right here in New Zealand. But how can we enjoy this pastime responsibly, and in what ways can recent advances in treatment, research, and public health help in reducing gambling harm, when it happens? And how can we promote responsible gambling among individuals, communities and societies?

As stakeholders in this field, we’re enthusiastic about ensuring that people can continue to enjoy gambling responsibly, so are keen to gain perspectives and insights as to the ongoing developments in this industry and do our part to promote responsible gambling.

The theme for this year’s conference is: Unveiling Progress: Treatment, research and public health advances in reducing gambling harm

Gambling is a complex and multifaceted pastime, and if not done responsibly, can have profound effects on people. The entertainment, socialisation and economic benefits of a flutter – or a few – have to be weighed against the potential harm it can cause to the health, wellbeing and finances of those who gamble problematically – especially since harm can affect wider communities.

At this conference, experts aim to explore the progress that has been made in the field of gambling studies, with a special focus on treatment, research, and public health. By sharing collective knowledge and wisdom, this conference will showcase the latest innovations and best practices that can help people enjoy their pokies, online casinos in NZ and abroad, races, and other forms of gambling entertainment in ways that are sustainable and responsible.

The conference will cover five focus key areas:

Examining gambling-related behaviours and resulting harms, while highlighting our adaptive strategies.
Navigating the evolving landscape of gambling, characterised by the emergence of novel and highly accessible gambling products. We will also explore the increasingly blurred boundaries between gaming and gambling.
Charting the growth and evolution of effective harm reduction methodologies, with a keen focus on technological advancements in this domain.
Looking deeper at the inequities experienced by various population groups affected by gambling-related harm, all within the context of diverse gambling environments.
Recognising and celebrating the distinct journey of individuals, families, and communities as they progress from the impact of gambling harm towards a state of well-being.

These conference themes align with the New Zealand Government’s focus on challenging health inequities and barriers to services for those affected by gambling harm, as outlined in the New Zealand Ministry of Health’s Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm. The conference theme also embraces the experiences and knowledge from across the industry and shares the stories of individuals who have first-hand experience of gambling addiction.

Who will be speaking?

This will be an enriching event, supported by keynote speeches from the following:

Moko Tepania, Far North Mayor: Elected in 2022 at the age of 31, Moko Tepania is the first Māori and the youngest mayor of the Far North District. Tepania has a background in teaching and has a strong focus on ensuring a youth voice is amplified in the decision-making processes of the council. He represents Northland on the National Council of Local Government New Zealand and is also a member of the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs.
Simone Rodda, AUT Associate Professor: Simone Rodda is a social scientist and a leading researcher on gambling and other behavioural addictions, currently working at the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at AUT. Professor Rodda is also the founder of the Change Strategies Project, which investigates the effectiveness of online interventions for reducing harmful gambling and other addictive behaviours including alcohol, internet pornography and gaming, sugar, and caffeine. Associate Prof. Rodda has over 20 years of experience in gambling treatment, education, and research, and has published extensively on various topics related to gambling, such as online and mobile gambling, self-exclusion, self-help, and interventions.
Dr Reece Bush-Evans, Bournemouth University Lecturer: Dr Reece Bush-Evans is a senior lecturer in psychology and a member of the Gambling Research Group at Bournemouth University, UK, and has published extensively on gambling treatment, education, and research. Dr Bush-Evans’ work focuses on the social-psychological aspects of human behaviour and has included cross-disciplinary research on problematic gambling and how technology can help with the detection, prevention and intervention of harmful behaviours.
IGC Partners: No conference could go forward without collaborative efforts from across the regional industry. Here are the groups behind this event.
AUT Gambling and Addictions Research Centre: Education programmes, the advocacy of policy and service provisions, sharing research-based content, and collaborative work with other stakeholders, AUT’s Gambling and Addictions Research Centre at AUT brings together research to improve New Zealand’s understanding of gambling’s impacts on society in order that we can develop better policies and practices.
PGF Group: The Problem Gambling Foundation is a national non-profit organisation that works closely with its subsidiary charitable companies to provide public health and clinical services that benefit the well-being of whānau and communities. Largely funded by the Ministry of Health with funds received from the gambling levy, PGF’s mission is to enhance the mana of people and communities to be free of gambling harm.

The conference will also offer keynotes and presentations that will showcase the latest research and practice from various disciplines and domains, such as psychology, sociology, public health, law, economics, education, and media. The conference will also provide opportunities for networking and collaboration among the delegates.

Going forward

Don’t miss this opportunity to join the global gambling community in New Zealand for the International Gambling Conference 2024. It will be a rewarding and memorable experience that will enhance your knowledge, skills, and networks in the field of gambling. We look forward to seeing you in Auckland in July!