As schools open across New Zealand in 2024, the National Party has vowed to ban mobile phones in schools to help combat underage gambling and other learning challenges. This follows an alarming rise of online gambling activities among high school learners, which was reported by national media at the end of last year. Teenagers were able to bypass age restrictions and use their mobile devices during school hours to participate in gambling activities, evening winning some $2000.

The ban has yet to be officially implemented in Kiwi schools but has become a hot topic throughout the country.

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 on gambling activities.

In the digital age, one of the main areas of concern is the difficulty in verifying ages of anyone online. Another focus area is how to restrict online gambling that is linked to online gaming. This is where bets can be placed in virtual games on teams or players to win competitive matches or tournaments. 

The zero-tolerance approach by online casinos

The worry related to underage gambling is not only limited to parents and schools, and it is not only a New Zealand problem. Regulated and licensed online casinos across the world have taken a zero-tolerance approach to underage gambling and have warned that winnings by minors would be withheld.

Such was the case in November last year when five New Jersey casinos in the United States set an example of its stance and no-nonsense approach to gambling activities by minors. The casinos decided to forfeit the $770,000 won by underage gamblers and the money was designated to the state to be used in programs to treat compulsive gambling.

Responsible gambling measures compromised

Irresponsible gambling by youngsters is no joke! It can lead to risky behaviours such unwise loans and the misuse of guardians’ credit cards. It can further compromise and impair the extensive efforts by the online casino industry to mitigate gambling harm among adults. Such efforts include online measures and tools like: 

• Self-exclusion – to take gambling breaks and exclude yourself from accessing your account.
• Deposit limits – To cap the amount you deposit into your account.
• Loss limits – to restrict the amount of money you may  lose in a specified time frame.

Additionally, the consequence of irresponsible underage gambling also extends to mental health, as it could become addictive, posing a 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 on learners is equally alarming, with distractions hindering focus on studies and potentially affecting academic performance.

The ban proposed for Kiwi schools may just be the right action needed. Similar bans have been introduced in France and Australia with success. In France, the new law since 2018 stipulates that children cannot use their phones on school grounds or during school-based activities. Exclusions were in place for children with special needs. Australia’s policies are similar.

The National Party said the proposal for New Zealand would see phones being 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.  It said schools would be able to decide how to enforce this rule, but it could require students to hand in their phones or leave them in bags or lockers. This proposal has been met with mixed responses with some arguing that the decision should be left to the schools themselves. 

However, such a prohibition could help mitigate underage gambling. But whether the policy is introduced, or schools take matters into their own hands, we can all agree that combatting underage gambling is paramount – not only for New Zealand but for all countries globally.

About Minimum Deposit Casinos (MDC)

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