In Auckland, city councillors have recently decided to impose a sinking lid policy on poker machines. The provision will aim to reduce problem gambling rates in the city, but local community groups are not entirely sure that this is the best course of action for achieving this goal. One of the main purposes of poker machines is to generate income that will be distributed as community grants.

With fewer pokies in the city, community groups are concerned that they will not have enough funding to continue providing residents with a high quality of service. Auckland Football is one group that derives a significant portion of its funding from poker machines.

While representatives of the sports body recognize that the sinking lid policy has the ability to reduce problem gambling rates, it will also limit community groups’ ability to deliver quality service and programs. “Auckland Football is certainly sensitive to the social issues which have underpinned the changes," says chief executive David Parker.

"However, there will be a flow-on effect of this decision which impacts the ability of community organisations to deliver a range of positive and beneficial outcomes to Aucklanders." According to Auckland Cricket CEO Mark Cameron, the group obtains most of its funding from pokie grants. Its membership fees provide the most funding for the group, but less pokie funding would compromise Auckland Cricket’s programs.

There are also concerns that SkyCity is not contributing enough money to community groups. Clubs and pubs must donate upwards of 37% of their profits while SkyCity donates just 2.5%. The casino has just been awarded 240 more pokies, and community groups believe that the operator should donate more of its profits through pokie grants, especially since the sinking lid policy will reduce the number of club and pub pokies in the city.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.