Skip to main content
Enrol now Sign in
Enrol now Sign in

Respond to Gambling Harm : Foundation Course

Respond to Gambling Harm : Foundation Course

This course equips health professionals* in Aotearoa New Zealand to identify and respond to gambling harm, with a focus on improving outcomes for Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities. It was developed by Asian Family Services in partnership with Mapu Maia and PGF Services.

The course is accredited by the College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ) Inc. for continuing professional development (CPD) purposes.

Who the course is for
Health professionals in New Zealand
Duration
2-2.5 hours

Course overview

As a health professional, you play a key role in addressing gambling harm, which often goes unspoken, especially in Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities who face significant cultural and structural barriers to help-seeking.

This course will help you recognise signs, start respectful conversations, and provide culturally responsive support. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the context in which gambling harm occurs, how it develops, and key elements of the recovery process.
  • Explain how gambling harm can affect clients in a primary care setting
  • Recognise common signs and symptoms of gambling-related harm
  • Use appropriate screening tools to identify gambling harm
  • Refer clients to appropriate support services and provide relevant resources

Pre-requisites

None

Course outline

This course is organised into five main units, with an introduction and a conclusion. Each unit builds practical skills and knowledge to help you identify gambling harm, support clients in primary care, and connect them to the right help with confidence and cultural awareness. 

Introduction

  • 0.1

    Course Welcome & Overview 

    Get familiar with the course goals, structure, and what you’ll learn.
  • 0.2

    Public Health Context

    Understand gambling harm as a public health issue and why it matters in primary care.
  • 0.3

    Case Study Profiles

    Meet real-life inspired profiles that illustrate gambling harm and recovery journeys.

Unit 1 | Gambling Harm Context

  • 1.1

    Gambling in New Zealand

    Explore gambling trends and their impact on communities.
  • 1.2

    Emerging Forms of Gambling

    Learn how new gambling products and online options are changing the landscape.
  • 1.3

    Gambling Expenditure and Harm

    Understand how gambling spend relates to harm and who is most affected.
  • 1.4

    Clinical Diagnosis

    Get a quick overview of gambling disorder as a clinical diagnosis.
  • 1.5

    How Gambling Problems Develop

    Discover key influences on gambling behaviour and harm:
  • 1.6

    How People Recover from Gambling Harm

    Explore what recovery looks like and what helps people achieve it.
  • 1.7

    Quick Check-in: Connecting the Dots on Gambling Harm

    Test your understanding of key concepts so far. 

Unit 2 | Gambling Harm and Its Impact on Clients

  • 2.1

    Gambling Harm Over the Life Course and Generations

    Understand how harm unfolds over time and across families.
  • 2.2

    Gambling Harm Perpetuates Inequities

    Learn how gambling harm deepens social and health inequities.
  • 2.3

    Quick Check-in: Who’s Affected, and How?

    Apply what you’ve learned through a short knowledge check.

Unit 3 | Signs of Gambling Harm

  • 3.1

    Harm to People Who Gamble

    Identify the signs that someone may be experiencing gambling harm.
  • 3.2

    Harm to Affected Others

    Understand how gambling impacts families, partners, and friends.
  • 3.3

    Knowledge Check: Signs of Harm – People Who Gamble and Affected Others Test your ability to recognise key warning signs. 

Unit 4 | Screen Effectively for Gambling Harm

  • 4.1

    Why and How to Screen and Offer Support

    Understand the purpose of screening and how to do it effectively.
  • 4.2

    Formal Screening Options

    Explore validated tools for identifying gambling harm.
  • 4.3

    Having a Conversation About Gambling Harm

    Learn practical strategies for starting supportive discussions:
  • 4.4

    Having Advanced Conversations About Gambling

    Build confidence in using motivational techniques:

Unit 5 | Refer and Provide Resources

  • 5.1

    Recognising Treatment Needs and Pathways to Support

    Understand treatment options and how to explain them clearly.
  • 5.2

    Referrals That Feel Safe and Supportive

    Learn how to reduce stigma and encourage follow-through.

Conclusion

  • 6.1

    Concluding Remarks & Recap of Key Learnings

    Review the most important takeaways from the course.
  • 6.2

    Personal Growth & Next Steps

    Reflect on how your learning will shape your practice.
  • 6.3

    Additional Resources

    Access key resources and professional development opportunities.