The poker machine market in the local area of Wanganui generates $11 million each year. However, only $2 million is pumped back into the local community in the form of gambling grants, which are meant to fund education, health and social services. The fact has recently been brought to the attention of the community, who believe that they deserve a bigger cut.

According to Sharna-Lee Edmonds of the Maori Problem Gambling Service, locals spent $10.7 million on poker machines across the country. From that total, $3.9 million goes to funding programs for various community groups. While nearly half of gambling revenues seems to be a fair pay off, over half of that total goes to community groups in other areas.

"Why is it that we stand to lose over $10 million out of the pockets of our families, when we only gain under $2 million in return for our local community groups?”, she asks. This seems to be a growing problem in the local community, and Edmonds believes that something needs to change. If locals are spending more on pokies than other groups, then she thinks it is only fair for the government to offering adequate community funding.

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.