Cap on pokies a win for good sense
 
The Rotorua District Council has shown good sense in deciding to retain a cap on the number of pokies in its area says the Problem Gambling Foundation.
 
The council had been considering lifting the numbers allowed after pokie trusts argued that community funding would decline if they didn't.
 
Problem Gambling Foundation CEO, John Stansfield, says that until recently it had been difficult to get accurate and timely information on player losses on the pokies. The installation of an electronic monitoring system by the Department of Internal Affairs earlier this year has changed that.
 
Mr Stansfeild says that with accurate information the Council was able to act wisely.

"It was fortunate for the people of Rotorua that the figures came out when they did."
 
"When councilors saw that Rotorua had the third highest amount of losses on pokies in the country, and that spending was actually increasing, they started asking some   hard questions about pokies.
 
"When you have accurate information and start digging a bit it's not a pretty picture that emerges.
 
"The council is to be congratulated for looking at the evidence and making a sensible decision.
 
"The body of evidence that pokies are a failed experiment in community funding is growing. Councils care about their residents and they will start doing everything they can to limit the number of pokies in their area.
 
"We hope the council will support us in making submissions calling for even more transparency and better information flows when the Gambling Act is reviewed shortly."
 
Mr Stansfield says his organisation puts a lot of effort into looking at fundraising strategies that are not based on harming people.
 
"The next step is for councils and community groups to start working together to develop funding streams based on healthy activities that encourage wide community participation.
 
"We have some experience at working with councils and community organisations that are doing this and are always pleased to share what we know."

ENDS
 

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