A new study by New Zealand Ministry of Health has raised red flags about the future of gambling among young Pacific adults, revealing that online gaming at an early age can have long-term consequences.
The Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study, which has followed a group of Pacific youth born in South Auckland since 2000, found that while gambling participation is generally low and infrequent among 22-year-olds, risky behaviours are a growing concern.
Surveying 470 young adults from the original cohort, the study found that 13.2 percent of 22-year-olds who gambled did so in a risky manner, with 37.7 percent of gamblers experiencing gambling-related harm. The most common activities included informal bets with friends and gaming machines, but the study showed a troubling link between early online gaming habits and later gambling issues.
“Daily or weekly online gaming at age 14 significantly predicted gambling harms at age 22,” the report highlighted. In addition, young adults who engaged in multiple gambling activities or drank alcohol by age 17 showed a higher likelihood of gambling harm in their early twenties.
The data reveals shifting patterns as the cohort aged. While gambling with family and friends remained the most common, solo gambling rose sharply from 5.2 percent at age 17 to 21.3 percent by age 22. Casino gaming machines, club machines, and table games accounted for the highest monthly spending, averaging around $50 (US$29) per month.
For those who gambled, a third experienced multiple types of gambling harm, with feelings of regret being the most reported issue. Worry over gambling nearly doubled, with 8.6 percent of participants expressing significant concern about their habits at age 22—up from 4.4 percent when they were 17. Nearly 40 percent sought informal help from friends or family.
The study underscored the similarities between risk factors for Pacific youth and the general population, with mental health issues and quality of life playing a critical role. Risky gambling was associated with lower perceived quality of life, alongside behaviours like aggression and rule-breaking. Depression and social consequences were also noted as significant factors linked to gambling harm.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of early intervention, as behaviours established in early teens—particularly online gaming and alcohol use—could set the stage for future gambling problems. “These predictors show that we need to address these habits early, before they escalate into riskier behaviours,” the researchers noted.
As Pacific youth continue to face these challenges, the study calls for greater awareness and targeted support to prevent gambling harms from taking root in the next generation.
