In Tararua, city councillors are faced with a debate over the effect of poker machines on problem gambling rates. While the Tararua District Council wishes to impose a sinking lid in order to reduce the prevalence of gambling addiction, local gaming trusts claim the policy would be ineffective because there is a lack of evidence that there is a correlation between the number of problem gamblers and the number of pokies.
The Tararua District Council has proposed a new set of gaming laws which aims to impose a sinking lid policy on the number of games in the area. Normally, this is achieved by prohibiting clubs from selling their games to other venues and taking pokies when them when they move location. The council will not accept any installation for new games until the current number of pokies drops to less than 100.
The legislation also aims to move all pokies at least 100 metres away from any schools, community centres or churches. Two spoken submissions were made at a recent council meeting, as Pub Charity and the New Zealand Racing Board decided to voice their opinions about the plan. The two groups believe that a cap on pokies would be a better option because sinking lid policies have yet to prove successful.
As such, they have suggested imposing a cap of 134 games for 13 venues. Graeme Ambler of Pub Charity stated that pokies should not be vilified because they are a fun and legal source of entertainment. They also provide a valuable service to the community by providing funding to a wide range of arts, education and sports initiatives.
"Playing on pokies is a legal and legitimate entertainment,” Ambler said “Pub and club gaming provides a simple, fast, independent and non-political funding stream that serves grass-root community organisations." The issue is still up for review. Since both sides a very passionate about their stances, it will likely be quite some time before a decision is reached.
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