Home » Poker Machines Problem Gambling Concerns New Zealand
Poker Machines Problem Gambling Concerns New Zealand
Recently updated on June 29th, 2019
There are 61 poker machines in the town of Otaki in New Zealand which is over than 42, a number recommended by the council. Gamblers are calling for stricter restrictions. Players are falling victim to the poker machines and easy access has been identified as the main problem. The Kapiti Coast District Council issued a bylaw in 2011 that only 42 pokies were allowed in Otaki. This problem was highlighted by a player now known as James.
James has confessed to being addicted to playing at poker machines with sessions taking as much as 6 hours. The self-confessed gambling addict also stated that staff members as some of the establishments never bothered to check on him. He further stated that he has spent thousands of dollars playing pokies. James is an entrepreneur with flexible hours, which explains spending 6 hours at an establishment getting lost in a game. When playing at a poker machine there is no kind of time limit which is dangerous for players like James.
Sinking Lid Policy on Poker Machines
When the Kapiti Coast District Council introduced the 2011 bylaw it meant that now new pokies should be introduced in the town. This was referred to as the Sinking Lid Policy. According to Andrew Brown, one of the counsellors at the local PGF, Problem Gambling Foundation, has stated that this policy was the best decision to make at the time. This was in efforts to regulate Poker Machines.
In recent years poker machines have risen in popularity and as a result, they have been identified as the reason behind a gambling problem in New Zealand. Residents of Otaki have been identified as the most vulnerable.
Mayors Comments
Mayor K Gurunathan has stated that poker machines were not easy to manage and due to think the sinking lid policy was adopted by the council. Also, stricter rules on the relocation of machines were introduced. Mayor Gurunathan stated that it would be a good thing to see money taken from the community being returned.
Taralynn Engels is a seasoned casino news writer with a passion for keeping her readers up-to-date with the latest happenings in the gambling industry. With over five years of professional writing experience, Taralynn has developed a deep understanding of the casino industry and a knack for delivering engaging and informative content. Aside from her in-depth knowledge of the casino industry, Taralynn possesses excellent writing skills that allow her to craft captivating narratives that keep readers hooked until the last word. Her ability to simplify complex concepts and present them in an accessible manner guarantees that her articles are enjoyed by both seasoned casino enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Recently updated on June 8th, 2018In 2018, there are YouTube videos for almost any hobby or occasion. As a matter of fact, there are hundreds of gambling channels catering to casino players. While this may seem like a good way to learn, YouTube is now suspending the channels according to new policies. These policies are […]
Recently updated on February 2nd, 2019The 150-year-old Thames Racing Club could be closing its doors in the 2019/20 racing season. It is one of the ten horseracing venues around New Zealand that are facing a shutdown. The Thames Racing Club, which celebrated its 150 years of existence last year, hasn’t been able to race its […]
Recently updated on July 4th, 2018The quarter finals for the 2018 FIFA World Cup are set to begin on Friday, 7 July. This year’s tournament is proving to stay true to years past, with favourite teams already sent home. Spain, Portugal, Argentina and former champions Germany all hoped to get to this point, but lost […]
Recently updated on August 17th, 2019SkyCity Entertainment owns three casinos with two in New Zealand and one in Adelaide Australia. In the past days, there have been revelations that the big Australian casino operator, Crown Resort was involved with junket operators that are supported by powerful crime gangs. As a result, the Australian casino is […]
Recently updated on February 20th, 2019Betsoft has brokered a deal with River iGaming a company that services digital gaming companies. The deal came about in the need for expansion on both sides. Betsoft is excited to add its expertise to River iGaming’s growing ventures in the iGaming market. River iGaming is showing impressive growth for […]
