The following is a brief timeline of the introduction, development and acceleration of gambling harm throughout the history of Aotearoa New Zealand. Included in this timeline are several important highlights of various events that led to the displacement of Maori and their increased exposure to gambling harm.
PRE- EUROPEAN CONTACT
Prior to contact with european cultures, gambling, in the form of playing games of chance for money, did not exist in Maori culture.
1788
Colony of New South Wales established in Australia- Governor Arthur Phillips, includes New Zealand
1822
Kerikeri founded and increase of whalers, sealers, gum diggers and settlers increases accessibility of alcohol, tobacco and card games of chance for money, such as poker.
1840
Te Tiriti o Waitangi- Treaty of Waitangi signed- increase of settlers brought greater accessibility to gambling
1865
Native Lands Act- conversion of traditional communal land holdings to individuals
1867
Native Schools Act- central government controlled systemic schooling- Te Reo use heavily disciplined reinforcing colonial dominance
1877
"Art Unions" run by Otago Art Society- origins of the idea of lottery
1907
Tohunga Supression Act- utilised as a method to increase distance between Maori and their ways of wellbeing
1908-1920
Gambling Act: all forms of gambling declared illegal- except at the races. Bookmaking declared illegal in 1920
1951
Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) established
1988
Introduction of pokie machines to new Zealand and Compulsive Gambling Society (CGS) established
2003
Gambling Act established, New Zealand Racing Board established
2006
1st September 2005- 1st Gamble free day, Establishment of Asian Family Services
2008
introduction of "MyLotto"- online purchasing of lotto tickets
2009
Mandatory Player Information Displays- showing player statistics- length of time, losses- Mapu Maia established
although online gambling has been around since the mid-90's, the increase of accessibility and availability of mobile gambling on hand held devices has drastically increased the opportunity for gambling to take place outside of regulated venues. this avenue presents as the most difficult challenge to the gambling harm minimisation workforce.
2019
under the gambling act 2003, operation of online gambling sites is illegal in nz. sky city have recently announced that they have intentions to develop on online gambling platform that will be based overseas.
Gambling in Aotearoa new Zealand has a long standing history and it's impacts will continue to be felt for generations to come. a greater awareness is required from our society as a whole to recognise that the benefits of some must not continue to be the result of harm to others.
Credits:
Created with images by milivanily - "fern green forrest" • mickeyshih - "maori stone hai bian landscape" • Carolyn V - "untitled image" • Matt Benson - "Settler" • Ray_Shrewsberry - "pioneer kitchen settlers early america" • JamesDeMers - "hut cabin settlers" • Ken_Woodley - "furniture room chair" • RoadMom4Ts - "pioneer tools early settlers" • Jeff Smith - "Horseshoes for Luck" • Markus Spiske - "untitled image" • Aldertree - "las vegas slots casino" • Hello I'm Nik - "Hitting the slots"