NEWS RELEASE

22 December 2002

GAMBLING DOUBLE STANDARDS

“It’s an inconsistent silence from the enemies of gambling,” says Gaming Machine Association.

Lotto is on a roll, and good luck to them … but where are the cries of anguish from Dave McPherson and his anti-gambling colleagues.

That’s the question from the Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand (GMANZ).

“When pokie machines provide opportunities which attract the punters to perhaps win a maximum of one thousand dollars, there’s pain, protest and pity swimming in every publication that’s happy to publish Mr McPherson’s moaning,” says GMANZ independent chairman, Garry Ward.

“Lotto’s predicts a $17 million power ball pool for this week, gamblers will be clambering for tickets, and good luck to them. Add to that, the stated intention from Lotto to allow the jackpot to get to $30 million next year before it must be divvied up and you start to talk massive, massive money,” he says.

“Not a word from Mr McPherson,” says GMANZ.

“His selective pot-shotting at the pokies (which returns to the community double the amount Lotto manages to) doesn’t reflect well on his organisation’s consistency or willingness to recognise that there are spending magnets out there, other than pokies.

“Even the TAB got into $2 million territory on the weekend, and Mr McPherson managed to stay quietly in his saddle when that occurred.

“Merry Christmas everyone – from the pokies people… including those opposed to what pokies are all about …having a sensible flutter, being entertained and raising money for the community,” is the wish from Garry Ward and his members.

ENDS

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