Press Release: 17 January 2013
No more pokies Auckland. Choose a healthier future for our children
That is the theme for a campaign, endorsed by more than 20 organisations, which is being launched with a video of children sharing their hopes and dreams for the future.
The ‘no more pokies Auckland campaign’ aims to encourage people to ‘say no to more pokies’ and ‘choose a sinking lid’ when the Auckland Council begins consultation on its gambling policy from 18 January. Tony Milne, National Manager of Public Health at the Problem Gambling Foundation, says a sinking lid is the best option the Council has under current legislation to keep the number of pokie machines down in Auckland.
“A sinking lid means no new licenses can be granted for pokie venues and machines can’t be transferred if a venue closes,” he says. “That means that over time, the number of venues and pokie machines will reduce.” The Class 4 Gambling (Pokie) Venue Policy is being developed for Auckland Council to replace the policies of the seven legacy Territorial Local Authorities. Auckland ‘Supercity’ currently has 305 venues and 4,183 pokie machines excluding the 1,649 pokie machines at SkyCity Casino that will not be covered by Auckland Council’s policy.
Tony Milne says both Manukau and Waitakere Councils had adopted sinking lid policies and it would be great to see Auckland Council follow their lead. “We don’t want any more pokie machines in Auckland,” he says. “They aren’t just a ‘harmless flutter’. Pokies are dangerous and addictive machines often described as the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’. “Most adults (84%) never use pokies and approximately six percent use them monthly or more. Four in ten regular users will have a gambling problem or are at risk of developing one.”
“Of the people who seek help for a gambling problem, over 70 percent of them say that pokies are their main form of gambling and 80% of those who seek help have suicidal thoughts.” “We know the harm that pokies can cause and don’t want them to be part of the future for our children,” Tony Milne says.
To view the campaign video and make a submission visit www.NoMorePokies.org.nz
Facebook www.facebook.com/NoMorePokiesAKL
Twitter @NoMorePokiesAKL
Ends
The No More Pokies Auckland campaign is endorsed by the following organisations: The Anglican Diocese of Auckland, Asian Family Services at the Problem Gambling Foundation, Changing Minds, Child Poverty Action Group, Every Child Counts, the Gambling Helpline, Hapai Te Hauora Tapui Maori Public Health, Mapu Maia (Pasifika Unit at the Problem Gambling Foundation), the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, Methodist Mission Aotearoa, Otara Health Charitable Trust, Papakura Marae, Public Health Association (PHA), the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, the Salvation Army, South Auckland Family Violence Prevention Network (SAFVPN), South Seas Healthcare, Transitioning Out Aotearoa (TOA), UNICEF NZ and Whare Tiaki Hauora.
For further information please contact:
Tony Milne
National Manager of Public Health
Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand
Ph 021 59 32 59
Andree Froude
Communications Director
Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand
Ph 027 489 4801
