Pokie Numbers In Control - Not Out Of Control

The NZ Coalition for Gambling Reform's latest claims, that there is a race to install new pokie machines ahead of the passage of the Responsible Gambling Bill, are once again misleading and mischievous, according to the Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand (GMANZ).

Chairman of GMANZ, Garry Ward, says the number of pokie machines allowed on a site, was restricted by regulation last year.

"Regulations already passed, state that after 18 October 2001, new sites are limited to a maximum of 9 machines per site. Additionally, any new sites and machines installed after 18 October 2001 will be subject to community veto retrospectively, once the Responsible Gambling Bill is enacted," he said

Ward says the anti gambling lobby is using an increase in pokie numbers in a misleading way, since the community will have the opportunity to veto any new machines post 18 October 2001, and everyone in the industry knows it.

"The Coalition for Gambling reform is looking for any opportunity to paint the charitable gaming sector in a bad light, and this is just another example of them hyping up the facts", he said.

According to Ward there are 19 Countries with a higher number of machines per capita than NZ, and most of them give little of their profits to the community.

"The amount raised for the community by pokies in the charitable gaming sector is over $200 million, nearly double that of LOTTO", he said.

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