Introduction

• Abacus has skills and experience that meet the highest standards in training of the gaming industry to prevent and minimise harm to its patrons that may result from their use of gaming products
• Abacus is a nationally-based organisation that can provide both area and on-site training
• Abacus is a registered NZQA organisation that meets the highest training standards set by regulators – regulation 12 certificates of training will be provided to all participants signed by Abacus as an NZQA standard trainer
• Abacus principals are highly qualified, with many years of experience in the field of problem gambling treatment, and have published, trained and presented internationally in the field
• Abacus is the leading trainer in the field in New Zealand and trains both industry and health professionals

Programmes

• Class 4 & TAB Problem Gambling Training
• Design of host responsibility programmes to meet the regulations of the gaming industry under the Gambling Act 2003 (Gambling (Harm Prevention and Minimisation) Regulations 2004 and Racing (Harm Prevention and Minimisation) Regulations)
• Delivery of training to meet gaming industry host responsibility programmes including:
  • Inter-personal skills training to approach safely and effectively patrons who may be experiencing difficulties related to their gambling
  • Training to provide information to patrons about the characteristics, signs, potential risks and consequences problem gambling, and how to access treatment services
  • Training to remind at-risk patrons of the venue’s right to ban from the premises for up to two years, or patron’s right to exclusion where the patron may be gambling problematically
  • Assessment of training effectiveness and integration into the sale of gaming
  • Strategies to provide a safe gaming environment
  • Underage gambling and strategies to prevent and intervene when uncertain
  • Meeting these and any other obligations on gaming providers required by regulators, how to discharge these obligations, and to minimise liability from the customer and family that may arise from problem gambling losses (duty of care)
  • Certification of staff as meeting required standards
  • Providing consultancy to meet and demonstrate best practice in the industry
• Specific programmes tailored by gaming providers to address important issues identified by them necessary to achieve desired standards
• Brief and effective research projects to quantify needs, establish areas of risk, to trial strategies, identify outcomes, and demonstrate effectiveness of hostresponsibility programmes
• Provide ongoing consultancy in this important field

As a nationally based organisation, Abacus can provide cost-effective services throughout New Zealand, and can minimise inconvenience through on-site and same area training or research.