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New Zealand Gaming Machines Removed13 March 2003NEW ZEALAND – As reported by the National Business Review: "More than 4000 gaming machines face the axe when the government passes its Responsible Gambling Bill. "The bill has yet to receive its second reading but is on the order paper and is expected to be enacted before July. "When law, hundreds of establishments around the country will have to remove about 4000 machines, Internal Affairs spokesman Vince Cholewa said. "… It will also force councils to consult communities and formulate a policy on gambling. Spending on non-casino gaming machines has jumped by about 30%, with New Zealanders spending $1.7 billion on gambling last year. "… Garry Ward, chairman of the Gaming Association of New Zealand, said the changes were fair as the industry was given plenty of warning about the bill. "… Mr Ward said while only 1.8% of the population was a potential problem gambler, the association supported efforts to help gamblers and their friends and family…" |