Media Release
Gaming machines in TAB’s raise serious issues for future of gaming industry
The Government’s decision to allow a TAB outlet in Palmerston North to install gaming machines is a major change in
Government policy which has potential serious ramifications for the industry as a whole the Chief Executive of Pub
Charity (Inc) Ian Bray said today.
”Since the Government legalised the operation of gaming machines back in 1987 it has been policy that they were only
allowed to be sited in hotels or clubs (holders of liquor licences) where minors were not allowed to have access. This
was seen as a sensible way of restricting gaming machine access to adults without having to pass special legislation.”
“Now that sites are being approved which don’t have the ability to restrict entry of minors a whole new ball-game is
opened up. Whether this is something Pub Charity will support or is opposed to we won’t know until we have received
further information from the Minister of Internal Affairs.
“We have made an official information request for the basis of the Minister’s decision.
“There are serious consequences from this decision which we will need to discuss with the Minister urgently. The
decision reinforces our view that the whole legislative environment for gaming machines needs urgent review and the
totally inadequate proposals contained in the Gaming Law Reform Bill should not be allowed to pass into law,” concluded
Ian Bray.
Ends