In New Zealand, residents continue to push for a sinking lid policy in Auckland. This week, it was announced that Sky City Auckland would be permitted to install 230 new poker machines, but local residents are not impressed with this development. A recent poll showed that the majority of Auckland residents are against adding new pokies to the city.

Of the 500 residents that were interviewed 74.8% supported a reduction in the number of poker machines in Auckland. Less than 1% said that they would like to see more pokies and 12.8% were undecided. These statistics back the recent submission that local residents made to the Auckland City Council. Last month, over 10 000submissions were made in support of a sinking lid policy.

Despite the support for the policy, Prime Minister John Key and Sky City continued to negotiate adding new pokies to Auckland’s biggest casino in return for the gambling operator building the city’s new convention centre.

“Not only did 10,258 people and organisations (99% of submissions) submit to Council in favour of a ‘sinking lid’ on pokies, but this poll shows that Aucklanders overwhelmingly support a ‘sinking lid’ policy,” says Tony Milne, National Manager of Public Health for the Problem Gambling Foundation. “We are encouraging the Council to listen to this result, say no to more pokies and choose a healthier future for our children”.

The results of the poll were presented the Auckland Council’s gambling review hearing. Members of the public were also in attendance, ensuring that they made their voices heard with regards to imposing a new sinking lid policy in Auckland. Local residents truly believe that having fewer pokies in the city will discourage problem gambling rates from rising, and they will continue to fight for this cause.

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.