Gaming Association members provided $25 million

21 August 2005

Gaming machines operated by Charity Gaming Association members provided $25 million dollars for grants to community groups during July the Chief Executive of the CGA, Francis Wevers, announced today, following a survey of the performance of member trusts which operate 68% of the total number of hotel based machines.

"When we include GST, gaming machine duty and problem gambling levy the total financial benefit to New Zealand for the month of July from charitable gaming trusts was in excess of $40 million.

"That money is used to fund community groups, sports teams, kindergartens, rescue services and a whole host of worthwhile beneficiaries.

"While the amount of money banked by the trusts is down on previous years because of anti-smoking legislation and other changes in the sector it needs to be acknowledged how much the CGA's members contribute to the communities in which they operate.

"Some of the money from gaming machines is earmarked for major national activities such as sending our national team to the Olympics. The greatest majority is ploughed straight back into the communities from which it came.

"There will always be more applicants for grants than we can hope to address - but trusts have made a huge commitment to try to spread what is available across a wide range of applicants. Often grants are committed on the basis that applicants can successfully raise funds through other activities or from other sources. This means limited money can be spread further more equitably.

"Community organizations needing money should continue to put in their applications using the forms available from gaming venues and from the trusts websites," concluded Francis Wevers.

ENDS

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