Problem gambling in Christchurch a growing problem

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Wed, 27 Jul 2011 9:21a.m.

In the past three months spending in Christchurch has increased by nearly $4 million (file)

In the past three months spending in Christchurch has increased by nearly $4 million (file)

There are new fears of problem gambling in Christchurch, as pokie machine spending reaches a two year high.

Data released by the Department of Internal Affairs shows in the past three months spending in Christchurch has increased by nearly $4 million.

It's a jump the Problem Gambling Foundation is calling "unprecedented and dramatic".

The foundation’s Christchurch spokesman Tony Milne spoke to Firstline this morning.

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Comments

02 Aug 2011 01:42p.m.

Andree Froude wrote:

In response to Martin Cheer’s comments, what was actually reported was that some bar managers had claimed that pokie expenditure had tripled since the quake. This comment was made after Problem Gambling Foundation staff visited 15 bars to see for themselves how many people were using pokies after the February 22 earthquake and experienced very busy pubs and clubs.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4969003/Pokies-use-tripled-since-quake

Andree Froude
Communications Manager
Problem Gambling Foundation of NZ

29 Jul 2011 07:07p.m.

Nic wrote:

One of these people sounds "hysterical" but it is not Tony Milne. Mr Milne certainly comes across as very calm, well spoken and reasonable. Mr Cheer on the other hand...

28 Jul 2011 09:53a.m.

Martin Cheer wrote:

Headline should have read 'Lazy Journalists 'munt' the Truth'. Hear is a copy of my letter to the Herald and Press who broke the story of a supposed jump in pokie spending in Christchurch. Dear Sir Weeks ago Mr Milne of the Problem Gambling Foundation told the Press that pokie spending in Christchurch post earthquake had ‘tripled’. Now the ‘increase’ is only a fraction of that the hysterical tone remains (Press 27/7). Not mentioned by ‘analyst’ Milne is that for the period of his panic the Casino was closed, meaning pub based gaming machines were literally the only game in town. When total pokie spend (pubs, clubs & casino) in Christchurch is considered for the April- June 2011 period, spending has actually declined by about -27%. Pub Charity operates a number of venues in Christchurch and witnessed increased in revenue in the April-June period but unlike hysteria from the Problem Gambling Foundation, which knows no end, the increase in spending mostly evaporated as soon as the Casino reopened. Unfortunately ‘Gaming Machines Spend Declines Following Earthquake’ isn’t a good headline and doesn’t serve Mr Milne’s ‘cause’. Yours sincerely Martin Cheer Chief Executive Pub Charity 190 Taranaki St Wellington Ph (04) 385 6100 or (0274) 715 745