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November 22, 2022
Māori public health group welcomes pokie review
Media Release
Posted On November 22, 2022
Māori public health advocacy service Hāpai Te Hauora is welcoming a review of gambling machines.
Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti is promising a focus on increased penalties for pokie venues which are non-compliant with the rules in the Gambling Act 2003, and strengthening of host responsibility requirements for venues.
Hāpai chief executive Selah Hart says gambling harm from pokies disproportionately affects whānau Māori, and the communities where that harm is perpetuated are less likely to receive grants from gambling trusts.
Hāpai wants to see a nationwide sinking lid policy on machines and venues, restrictions on advertising of gambling to rangatahi, equitable distribution of proceeds from pokie trusts and societies, support for communities to establish alternate ethical funding streams, resourcing for whānau to engage in democratic processes around gambling regulation, and much more investment into community-based initiatives to prevent gambling related harm.
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