About us

The Problem Gambling Foundation New Zealand (PGF), (formerly the Compulsive Gambling Society of NZ Inc) was established in response to the growing need for crisis intervention and treatment for those affected by problem gambling in New Zealand.

PGF believe in empowering and encouraging clients by providing a range of free services designed to meet the needs of its clients with daytime and evening appointments. Qualified health professionals provide counselling services via confidential individual appointments for both gamblers and others affected by gambling. 

PGF is the largest organisation of its kind in the world. It has offices throughout New Zealand attended by 60 staff that represent Maori, Pakeha, China, Korea, Malaysia and the Pacific Islands. We have a close partnership with the Centre for Gambling Studies (CGS). CGS is committed to conducting quality research to promote community well-being and minimise harm from gambling.

Click here to view bios of the PGF Board of Directors.

PGF believes in: 

Informing Change: Our Research, Training and Development team oversees all of our programmes to ensure the best quality advice and training to the problem gambling sector. As a service leader PGF undertakes research and develops resources for all problem gambling services.

Changing Lives: Our treatment and clinical services are world class. We provide specialist problem gambling counselling and group therapy throughout NZ. Our Asian service team also provides counseling in three Asian languages.

Changing Communities: Our Public Health team is the first dedicated team to work on problem gambling issues using a health promotion approach. Our Asian service team works holistically with Asian communities to strengthen their resilience to problem gambling. Our Youth services team works with young people to raise awareness and eliminate harm from problem gambling.

Changing Environments: Our advocacy services seek to create a safer environment for recreational gambling. We are active in developing national and local gambling policies. Our specialist Local Government team works with territorial local authorities and their communities to develop gambling policies that eliminate the harm from problem gambling.

The clinical service has 38 clinics throughout New Zealand, many operating jointly with other help providers. It is the largest single treatment provider for problem gambling in Australasia and is involved in a range of services and strategies to reduce the harm that arises from problem gambling. 

One such service is our Asian Hotline that provides counselling and advice in Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean: phone 0800 TO BE HAPPY (0800 862 342).

Treatment is free of charge to the gambler, their family and others affected by problem gambling.

We are a not-for-profit organisation and have charitable status. We welcome donations from those who support our aims. Please contact John Skeltonon
(09) 368 1520.