Kaikoura pokie use still high

Figures released from the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGFNZ) last week reveal a worrying trend in pokie use in the Kaikoura district which goes against a decrease in gambling on a national level.

According to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), gaming expenditure in the country's pubs and clubs to the end of 2009 saw a decrease of 5.2 per cent compared to 2008.

However statistics released from PGFNZ show the Kaikoura district has experienced an approximate 15 per cent growth in pokie spend over the last quarter. The total losses in the July to September 2009 quarter were $248,494 compared to the October to December quarter of $284,851.

Kaikoura has four venues with 52 pokie machines. Based on the population in the district of 3624, this equates to one pokie machine for 70 people which is comparatively very high. The national average works out to be one pokie machine for every 225 people, based on total population excluding casino pokies.

Andree Froude, from PGFNZ, said over the last four years Kaikoura District had received $1.4million in grants, of which the bulk of which had gone to horse racing, suggesting the money did not stay within the community.

PGFNZ spokesman Graham Aitken said while the organisation was pleased to see an overall drop in pokie use, he had no explanations for those areas which were still experiencing considerable growth, such as Kaikoura.

"We will do some research to see if there are environmental factors that are in play," he said. "Pokie machines are dangerous products and the more people are aware of that the better."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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