Christchurch Pubs Proud to be Pokie Free

The Pegasus Arms in Christchurch is hosting an event tonight to recognize local pubs that are “pokie-free and proud of it.” The event marks the launch of a new project initiated by Anglican Life and the Problem Gambling Foundation to recognize some of the great places in the city that thrive without gambling.

There are over 100 pokie-pubs in Christchurch, although it hasn’t always been that way—and it may not be that way in the future.

“We don’t need to rebuild in a way designed to hurt those already vulnerable. Children have no choice when a parent spends all their money on pokies,” said Jolyon White of Anglican Life.

The Problem Gambling Foundation affirmed this idea. “We can rebuild our city without pokie machines that cause more than 1 in 4 who play them regularly to develop a serious gambling problem,” said National Public Health Manager Tony Milne.

The successes of Cassel’s Brewery (Woolston), Dux Live (Addington), The Pedal Pusher (Addington), Pegasus Arms (Christchurch City), and Pomeroy’s Historic Brewery (Christchurch City) are all being celebrated tonight. These pubs are the first to have the “Pokie-Free and Proud of It” endorsement.

The launch is being opened by the two organisations working on the project with short speeches of support from Cr Peter Beck, Healthy Christchurch, a person who is recovering from problems with gambling, and one of the venues.

"Remember when a pub used to be about meeting up with your mates after work? That's the way we still like it," said Alex Brackstone from Pegasus Arms.

The event will take place from 7pm – 8pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

For free, professional and confidential help with your own or someone else’s gambling problems: Ph 0800 664 262, Email help@pgfnz.org.nz or visit www.pgfnz.org.nz

ENDS

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