Chch does not need any more pokie machines

The Green Party today called on the Christchurch City Council to reinforce it’s sinking lid policy on gaming machines in Christchurch.

The Christchurch City Council is making it’s decision tomorrow on whether to allow 18 new gaming machines at the Addington Raceway.

“Christchurch does not need any more pokie machines. The city already has more gaming machines than any other city in New Zealand — one machine for every 200 residents,” Christchurch-based Green MP, Kennedy Graham said.

“If the Metropolitan Trotting Club need to find a way to stay afloat, it must be one that isn’t detrimental to the community.

“Healthy communities are threatened when people from families that are already struggling to survive get caught up in the detrimental effects of gambling,” Dr Graham said.

Green Party gambling spokesperson Kevin Hague said it would be appalling for Christchurch to ditch the sinking lid policy on gaming machines.

“Pokies are concentrated in the areas that can afford them the least. Christchurch has led New Zealand by taking a stand against the social harm that gambling causes,” Mr Hague said.

“Pokies don’t deliver prosperity, just hardship and misery.”

Pokie machines in major centres
Christchurch: 1871 machines or one for every 200 residents
Auckland: 1497 machines or one for every 297 residents
Wellington: 831 machines or one for every 235 residents

Links
Green Party Gambling Policy
http://www.greens.org.nz/policy/gambling-policy