This special edition contains abstracts of papers presented at the 2006 International Gambling Conference: Gambling and Its Impacts – Policy, Practice and Research Perspectives. It also contains copies of power point presentations made at the Conference and preceding two-day International Think Tank on Presenting Gambling Populations and First Contact Services. This information is provided in the expectation that it will be of interest to people not present. Selected papers from both events, following additional peer review, will appear in a subsequent edition. Readers may also wish to contact presenters directly to obtain further information.

The Conference was jointly hosted and organised by Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT) Gambling Research Centre and the Problem Gambling Foundation. It took place at the AUT North Shore Campus from 13-15 September. The New Zealand Ministry of Health provided financial assistance. The Conference provided a forum to examine aspects of gambling in its various forms, on individuals, communities and societies. This included consideration of the nature and extent of those impacts and ways to reduce adverse consequences. The Conference also provided an opportunity for participants from throughout the world to discuss recent developments and innovations in gambling policy, practice and research.

Over 200 people participated, predominantly from New Zealand and Australia. There was also representation from Canada, USA, UK, Singapore, Niue and Japan. Most participants were in one or more of the following categories: service provider, academic/researcher, government official/policy maker/regulator, gambling industry, community.

The International Think Tank was hosted and organised jointly by the AUT Gambling Research Centre and the Gambling Helpline. This meeting was held at the AUT marae (traditional Maori meeting house). Participation was by invitation and limited to a maximum of 60. Most participants had taken part in one or both of the previous Think Tanks held in 2004 and 2005. Just under half came from outside New Zealand and included people from all major stakeholder groups. The vision of the Think Tank is:

An international network of scientists, researchers, policy makers, service providers, socially concerned gambling industry members and interested others collaborating to advance understanding of gambling as an issue for public health and social/economic development.

At the 2006 meeting presentations and discussion focussed on gambling, problem gambling and their impacts; international collaboration in commissioning and conducting research; innovative practice and access to services; and ‘upstream’ (preventative) interventions. Reports on existing Think Tank collaborative projects were provided and new cooperative research and service initiatives considered. A working party was set up to develop a policy protocol regarding research funding from the gambling industry.


Max Abbott
Director, Gambling Research Centre,
National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean,
Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology