Dunedin Community to Review No-Pokies Funding Policy

Recently updated on January 30th, 2026

Amid financial struggles, the Dunedin community group may have to reassess its position on not accepting funding generated from pokie machines. Their stance to refuse funding for community projects coming from gambling operators was a result of the documented harm blamed on pokies machines in New Zealand. With the organisation being mainly state-funded, there is very little wiggle room to divert some of the resources to other projects. There have been many fundraising attempts to generate money in the community group’s coffers, but it is not enough.

Valley Project Desperate for Funding

It is reported that the community group receives an annual budget of roughly NZ$215,000. The money is allocated to several community needs, such as providing food parcels to residents of Dunedin. The Valley Project manager, Tess Trotter, spoke out about the difficulties of having to complete the projects. In an attempt to foster a sense of community, there have been tonnes of efforts to provide home schemes and develop overall healthier, low-cost housing. The Dunedin Community group is left to reconsider its no-pokie funding policy position, with its current efforts proving futile.

Dunedin Community to Reconsider Accepting Grant from Pokies

The public sentiment has shifted regarding accepting funds generated from pokie machines. A survey was conducted on 100 residents of Dunedin. The aim was to explore the reaction of the community to accepting funding from pokies profits. Interestingly enough, 45.1% of the respondents are not averse to the idea of taking money from pokies profits. Only 7.7% of the community believes that the pokies money should not be accepted.

The remaining 47.3% of respondents believe that the decision should be taken by the Chief Executive Officer of the project. Even with the overall benefit that the Dunedin community stands to gain as a result, it is believed that taking the money would have far-reaching consequences for the residents who visit Dunedin’s casino. Keep the dial locked on NewZealandCasinos.nz for the latest gambling news in New Zealand.