February 12, 2025

NZ learners found gambling online, govt seeks to ban cellphones

Learners in New Zealand have been discovered engaging in online gambling activities at online casinos and during school hours, and it’s prompted calls to limit the ways that learners can access these services. In response, the Coalition’s National Party has promised a ban on cell phones in schools to help combat this as well as other learning challenges. This is exacerbated by the difficulty in providing safe restrictions to online gambling, and the ubiquity of mobile devices – especially in schools – that provide access to the betting facilities for underaged participants.

Teenagers are reportedly winning up to $2000 through online underage gambling, causing concern among parents, the Department of Internal Affairs, and the government.

Of particular concern is that gambling is linked to online gaming, where bets can be placed on which teams or players will win competitive matches on virtual platforms. Game developers typically do not sanction the associated gambling platforms, where players can bet money or “skins” (virtual costumes) and other paraphernalia that can sell for thousands of dollars. Often these transactions are paid out via PayPal, where they will not be traced on bank statements.

Consequences for Online Gambling Learners

While gambling rates in New Zealand have slowly declined in recent years, youth gambling has historically remained underreported. Recent work by AUT and the Ministry of Health found that around one in 12 Pakeha youths and more than one in three Pacific youth reported gambling daily; the same report found that one in 10 youths spent $50 a week or more.

Under-18s are rarely financially literate or stable, which makes these figures so concerning. Irresponsible gambling can foster financial strain and potentially lead to risky behaviours such as unwise loans or misusing guardians’ credit cards to recoup their losses – without a full understanding of the repercussions.

In an article from NZ Herald, Mariton Crocker of Netsafe explained that betting on online casino games with real money is not surprising, since it is something that “young people probably understand better [i.e. more than horse racing] and therefore would be more likely to have an opinion on the outcome of, and therefore could be drawn into gambling on it.”

Yet, because it is difficult to verify ages online, underage people often have easy access to these platforms – despite the fact that using them can result in heavy fines.

The implications and consequences for online gambling learners also extend to the realm of mental health, as irresponsible online gambling can become addictive, posing a heightened risk for teenagers who are still navigating emotional and mental development. This addiction can result in long-term consequences, contributing to a wealth of issues such as depression, anxiety, and heightened stress levels.

The educational impact of online gambling is equally alarming, with distractions hindering teenagers from focusing on their studies and potentially affecting academic performance. Because bets can be placed from mobile devices and during school hours, the appeal of this distraction can take their attention away from their education.

National Party calls for banning of cell phones at schools

This alarming development has raised concerns about the impact of technology on academic performance and the need for stringent measures to address underage gambling. The National Party – which leads the recently-formed New Zealand coalition government – has responded with an outright ban on cellphone usage in schools.

Party leader and now Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said that the party wanted to “turn around falling achievement” by eliminating “unnecessary disturbances and distractions”.

Similar policies have been introduced in France, and supported in places across Australia. Advocates often point to research by the London School of Economics that limiting access improves exam results by reducing distractions; reducing phone theft and the impact of social media.

Introduced in 2018, France’s law stipulated that children could not use their phones on school grounds or during school-based activities (i.e. field trips). Exclusions were in place for children with special needs. Australia’s policies are similar. The proposal for New Zealand would follow suit, with National proposing that phones would be banned for the entire school day, including breaks between classes, and would apply to primary, intermediate and secondary schools – that is, learners from five years to 17.

According to Luxon, schools will be able to decide how they enforce this rule but could include requiring students to hand in their phones or leave them in bags or lockers. The implication is that phones and other mobile devices like smartwatches would only be able to be used outside of school hours. Exceptions would also be made where phones helped with learning challenges or health purposes.

This proposal has been met with mixed responses. Some have argued that the decision should be left to the schools themselves.

However, banning or restricting access to devices also prevents underage gambling, and this should be welcomed by guardians, schools, and the government. It also speaks to the importance of carefully and respectfully monitoring learners’ internet usage to prevent illegal and potentially harmful behaviour.

What measures can parents take to help underage gamblers

Whether the proposed policy is introduced, or schools take matters into their own hands, we can all agree that combatting underaged gambling is important, and encouraging responsible gambling for those of age.

If you’re concerned about your learner gambling, then here’s what you can do:

Talk to your child about gambling
- Explain that gambling is a form of entertainment. Help them understand the difference between skill-based games and games of chance, and how irresponsible gambling can affect their mood, health, relationships, and future goals.
Encourage your child to be involved in non-phone-related activities
- Mobile devices are designed to be addictive, so encourage your learner to get involved with positive social activities such as recreational clubs, sports, and other community outlets that provide fun, excitement, and social connection.
Avoid giving scratchies as gifts
- Gambling should be treated as an 18+ activity, so avoid sending the wrong message to your children. Instead, give your child non-monetary rewards or experiences that they enjoy and value.
Monitor online activity
- Respect your child’s privacy, but do monitor their online activity. If possible, limit their access to gambling websites and apps through the use of parental controls and filters. You may also need to check their bank statements, including PayPal transactions, to check for activity.
Seek professional help
- There are several free and confidential services in NZ that can provide information, support, and counselling for you and your child. You can contact the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or txt 8006, or find a local gambling counselling service on the Safer Gambling Aotearoa website. You can also talk to your GP, school counsellor, or other trusted person for advice and referrals.