TV3 host comments totally irresponsible

TV3 host comments totally irresponsible

Comments by TV3 Sunrise programme host, Oliver Driver, about using the Waihopai decision as legal justification for going into bars and smashing pokie machines were totally irresponsible and unjustified says the Chairman of the Community Gaming Association, John Burke.

“Gaming machines are legally operated in New Zealand by many organisations as a way of raising funds for the community.

“Suggesting that it is now lawful to go into a bar and smash them up because some people object to them is highly irresponsible on the part of TV3, its host and also the Chief Executive of the Problem Gambling Foundation.

“The assertion was made on the misrepresentation of a study conducted by Australian and New Zealand researchers which shows that historically, during a time of expansion of gaming machine numbers, there has been a correlated increase in problem gambling.

“New Zealand gaming machine numbers have been in decline since 2004 and are now more than 20% lower. During that time problem gambling prevalence has remained relatively static. The study does not track what has actually happened in New Zealand

“The same study established that it appears as time goes on populations adapt to the presence of gaming machines .

“Therefore there is no evidence that small increases in gaming machine numbers, as may happen from time to time in New Zealand, result in any discernible increases in problem gambling in the local community.

“Additionally, the study provides no evidence to support the PGF campaign for a sinking lid. There is no evidence, anywhere, that sinking lids lead to any reduction in problem gambling prevalence. In fact, one of the authors of the study, Dr Max Abbott, stated recently that “it is my estimation that machine numbers would need to reduce to about 10%-20% of current numbers before an effect on problem gambling could be shown” .

“Those sort of reductions would wipe out the community gaming sector but would leave large numbers of machines in casinos where there would be little benefit to the community because they are generating private rather than community profits.

“The CGA is considering its legal options which include a complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority,” concluded Mr Burke.

ENDS

© Scoop Media