Film helps to break down stigma around gambling   26 May 2016

Film helps to break down stigma around gambling and sport players

‘Gambling harm can happen to anyone’ is just one of the messages the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) hopes people will take away from the New Zealand premiere of Broke the movie.

PGF has partnered with New Zealand Rugby League and the League 4 Life Foundation for a special screening being held on Wednesday 1 June at the Rialto Cinemas in Newmarket, Auckland, starting at 6pm.

Broke is a movie about gambling addiction in sport and how it can devastate the lives of former star players. The main character Kelly comes undone at the hands of gambling and alcohol, but the film producers hope it will open the eyes of fans to the frailties of those we idolise.

The premiere is a fundraising event for the League 4 Life Foundation, and the Problem Gambling Foundation hope it will help break down stigma around gambling and sports players and raise awareness that help is available.

Communications Director, Andree Froude, says it can be easy for sports players to use gambling as a form of escapism from the stress in their lives, particularly when it is high level sports.

“It’s good to get it out in the open as it breaks down stigma and barriers to help-seeking,” she says.

“Gambling harm can happen to anyone, even to those we idolise. Sport players are people at the end of the day.”

Heath Davis, the film’s Director, says that gambling addiction is a social problem that has had some high-profile casualties and hopes that this film will create a dialogue and some understanding of an issue that affects many people.

New Zealand rugby league legend Mark Graham will be among the special guests at the premiere, along with his son Luke Graham, who is the producer of the film.

Luke hopes the film will make people consider the place gambling has in rugby league and society.

“The film is close to my heart, family and up-bringing, therefore my passion to bring its message to a wide audience was quite an easydecision. Dad is obviously a very well-structured human being and would never gamble, but it’s based on a lot of players I got to know growing up. It is timely and topical with its gambling related themes, but above all, it is a celebration of the human spirit much like our great game is,” Luke says.

For more information on the film Broke, click here.
For more information on the League 4 Life Foundation click here.
For more information on problem gambling, click here.

WHAT: Broke movie premiere (R16)
WHEN: 6pm, Wednesday 1 June
WHERE: Rialto Cinemas, Newmarket
HOW MUCH: Tickets from $11 with $1 from each ticket sold nationally going to the League 4 Life Foundation

WHO: Special guests include Kiwi legend Mark Graham

ENDS

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