August 12, 2014
Pokie grants taken from poor so rich can play
Auckland Council wants the government to change the rules so pokie machine profits get shared more fairly to Auckland communities.
Current proposals are for 80 per cent of grant money generated from Class 4 gaming be returned to the region in which it was generated.
The Regional Strategy and Policy Committee says that's not suitable for Auckland.
Analysis shows that local board areas in lower socio-economic parts of Auckland were producing the most money from pokie venues, but getting the least in grant money.
For example, only 22 per cent of the money generated in the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board area goes back to that community.
Committee chair George Wood says he'd like the Minister of Internal Affairs to define areas within Auckland so that the proceeds generated within them, would go back to that community.
Information on where the money goes is available on an online portal (https://aucklandcouncil.demo.socrata.com)
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