Gambling Funding for New Zealand Charities
In New Zealand, game operators are required to donate 7% of their profits to community initiatives across the country. This system is one of the most useful in the world, providing more money for community projects than most other gambling markets. Money raised from gambling operators is used to fund a variety of projects, including sports, arts, health and education initiatives. Many of the donations from gambling funds go back to the communities they grew up in.
Gambling operators donate their money to various Gambling Trusts across the country, such as Pub Charity and The Lion Club. Community groups and organizations then apply to this foundation for funding. The operator does not directly handle donations to avoid conflicts of interest Situs Ion Casino .
Proceeds contributed by gaming clubs provide the most significant source of community funding for non-profit organizations across New Zealand. Gambling grants make a more significant impact on community efforts than any other financial resource in the country.
Over the past year, The Lion Foundation donated more than $53 million to 4175 charities and community efforts across New Zealand. In its 26 years of operation, the foundation has awarded more than $590 million in gambling grants. Last year, sport received the most funding with $20.5 million, followed by community efforts which received $16.1 million. Health and education both received more than $8 million.
This year, Pub Charity donated $24 million. Sport and community, again, received the largest funding with sports clubs receiving $7.6 million and community efforts receiving $6.9 million. Education and Health Services received $4 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Emergency services received $1.9 million.
Unfortunately, funds raised from New Zealand online casinos and other online gambling sites are not used to help the efforts of the people of this country. This is because overseas gaming websites are not regulated by the New Zealand government. Politicians are currently reviewing the Interactive Gambling Act, and regulation of international gambling sites is not entirely out of the question.
A common concern among organizations in need of funding is the possibility of receiving funds from problem gamblers. However, The Lion Foundation ensures that gambling is not a harmful activity for New Zealanders. The Foundation cites the Department of International Affairs, which states that “gambling can be a harmless entertainment activity from which people can derive personal enjoyment and which provides other positive social benefits”.
– Mitchell Hughes, New Zealand Gambling Specialist.