Gambling bill needs hardening up

Stuff co.nz 29 January 2015
Millions of dollars are being “sucked” from the community through a “blight” of pokie machines and new legislation is doing little to correct the problem, local advocates say.

The Mangere Community Law Centre is supporting the Problem Gambling Foundation in encouraging people to have their say on the upcoming Gambling Amendment Bill (No 3) which is open for submissions until tomorrow.

Law centre advocate Justin Latif said it’s a good opportunity for people to raise concerns around the harm of gambling.

“The gaming machines in Mangere are sucking tens of millions of dollars every year out of the community, robbing families and the wider society of money that could be better spent on helping people live healthier, more prosperous and happy lives,” he said.

The bill is making changes to increase “transparency” and reduce “conflicts of interest” between gambling operators, venues and grant recipients.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/65502006/Gambling-bill-needs-hardening-up