Currently, gambling laws in New Zealand prohibit the placement of pokies in stand-alone gaming venues. However, TAB is seeking an amendment to the law, having made an in-depth presentation to the Grey District’s Council earlier this week.
The prohibition of pokies in standalone venues was aimed at reducing rates of problem gambling. TAB adhered to the laws, moving toward the pub-model of poker machine placement, but now believes that there is a better way to control problem gambling rates.
According to the New Zealand Racing Board, TAB is being responsible by wanting to create standalone gaming venues. Solicitors for the group claim that there are definite links between problem gambling and alcohol consumption, so discouraging residents from taking part in gambling activities in pubs is a more effective solution.
New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation does not support the idea, however. The organization believes that the last thing the country needs is more pokie machines. Citing statistics that show national gambling spending is more than $4.4 million in just the West Coast alone, the Problem Gambling Foundation does not support TAB’s proposal to build more poker machines in standalone venues.
