As Casino Guardian reported last week, pokie machines in Wellington could have their days numbered, as consultation on a proposed sinking lid policy is set to start soon.
For the time being, a total of 633 pokie machines are operating in the city, and their number in the region is 938. The implementation of the proposed sinking lid policy would strip the local authorities of the chance to issue new licences for pokie machines, and the existing terminals will not be allowed to transfer to a new owner or establishment in case the venue they operate in closes.
The proposal for the sinking lid policy was made by Councillor Tamatha Paul, who explained that the first stage of the process was successful, with Wellington City Council’s voting for the proposal. According to Councillor Paul, the approval process gave an excellent opportunity of the entire community to have a conversation regarding alternative mechanisms to replace controversial pokies as one.
The sinking lid policy proposal was aimed at helping the local authorities reduce gambling-related harm, with Councillor Paul sharing her belief that local residents would respond well to potential actions to prevent further increase in the number of poker machines.
Some Experts Fear Sinking Lid Policy on Pokies Could Push People to Online Gambling
As part of the pokie machines’ sinking lid policy proposal, it was suggested that the number of pokies in Wharangi/Onslow-Western and Pukehinau/Lambton areas are reduced by 87. Also, the zones would be changed so that they correspond to ward boundaries.
In addition, if adopted, the sinking lid policy would also reinstate an old clause under which non-designated premises are banned from hosting pokie machines.
At the Council Meeting that took place on August 6th, a number of people spoke on behalf of different groups. Paula Snowden, the boss of the Problem Gambling Foundation, reminded that more than NZ$100,000 is lost by gamblers in Wellington-based pokie machine venues. According to her, 633 machines and 40 venues that host such machines in the area are too many.
Anti-gambling campaigners have long been calling for stricter measures to be imposed on controversial pokie machines that have been blamed for targeting people, who cannot really afford to lose money.
Previously, campaigners have explained that Maori people are 2.5 times more predisposed to being affected by gambling-related harm, while Pacific people were 2.3 times more likely to get hooked on gambling. The fact that pokie machines are mostly situated in the areas where Maori and Pacific people live, reducing the terminals’ harmful effect on the local residents is a matter of paramount priority.
According to reports, so far, of the NZ$40.7 million lost in Wellington, a total of NZ$9.4 million was distributed to local organisations.
The possible implementation of the sinking lid policy has raised some concerns among experts, as some of them worry that restrictions on pokie machines could push local residents to migrate to online gambling. However, gambling online was not regulated, so the community was not going to get any tax revenue from it.
- Author
Daniel Williams
