Second-biggest pokie problem

BY COLIN WILLIAMS

Upper Hutt's gaming machines are used more and attract a bigger "spend" than others in the Wellington region, except Porirua.

With more than $23,000 "lost" each day to machines, people in Upper Hutt are spending proportionally more on gambling than those in Wellington, Kapiti, Carterton, Masterton and South Wairarapa.

"Upper Hutt has fewer machines than most districts, but these machines are being used more extensively compared to the machines in all other districts in the Wellington region with the exception of Porirua," a report to the Upper Hutt City Council for a review of its gambling venue policy says.

Both Upper Hutt's individual and per capita figures are higher than the national average.

The city has 156 gaming machines at 11 gambling venues, with 93 of them in the central business area.

Today's 156 machines are 27 less than the maximum which could be operating under the city's current gambling policy.

Upper Hutt's total gaming machine proceeds for 2008/09 reached $86,611.01, with the average GMP (turnover minus player wins) sitting at $55,519.88 while the GMP per capita (for people over 15) was $289.51.

The city council review of its gambling policy must be carried out every three years.

A draft policy was approved by the council's policy committee before Christmas.

It was advertised and a public meeting, which attracted three people, held last month.

Eight written submissions, including the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, the Racing Board and a number of charitable trusts, are to be considered by city councillors at a special meeting today.

The draft advocates a slight reduction in the maximum number of gaming machines, to be reduced and capped at 174.

The three-year policy will then be discussed at the council committee meeting before its formal adoption on April 7.

- Upper Hutt Leader