Welcome to Multi-Venue Exclusion (MVE)

MVE has been used as an intervention tool in New Zealand since 2011 to enable gamblers to self-exclude from multiple venues without having to visit each individual site. Since 2003, the Gambling Act in New Zealand has allowed a person to self exclude from a gambling venue. This means that once the exclusion process is initiated, it is an offence for a gambler to enter the gambling area of the venue from where they are excluded, and for a venue operator to allow an excluded gambler to enter their gambling area. If breaches of an exclusion order occur, the penalty for venue manager, or person acting on their behalf, is a maximum fine of $5,000. For breach by the gambler, there is a fine of up to $500 (Section 312, Gambling Act 2003). MVE in New Zealand is a relatively new system and one that has evolved gradually from a regional programme to a nationally administered programme. An MVE is generally initiated by a problem gambling service provider on behalf of a client who has opted to self-exclude from the gambling venues of their choice.