This is my statement to my/our community

My name is Wendy Cook and I am the General Manager of Pockets 8 Ball Club Inc, Tokoroa and I am responding to the recent media coverage our Club has received.
I am very proud of our Club commitment to our community by way of support given to our youth, schools and sports programs, charities and the provider of employment to 38 staff as well as supporting our local trade businesses.

Our Club has sponsored and supported many sportspeople and teams in our community and have achieved extremely proud moments as a Club at a local, national and world level.

Our aim is to provide a friendly and responsible environment for our Club members to enjoy.

While it is my firm belief that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I do believe there needs to be clarification and understanding on a number of points.
I am a current serving member of the South Waikato District Council BUT at the time the application for a merger with The Olde Establishment and Putaruru District Services Memorial Club was filed and approved was NOT serving on council.

I have always declared a Conflict of Interest regarding discussions since the Gambling Policy has come up for review and believe this is the format in which to submit your point of view.

The statement that there is Problem Gambling in New Zealand is correct and Local Councils, Department of Internal Affairs and the Government legislate to diminish this harm to which our Club complies with.

A Problem Gambling Levy is paid by each gaming venue to help problem gamblers and it is the role of every responsible gaming venue operator to help reduce harm caused by gaming.

This new venue as the result of the merger equates to FOUR less gaming machines in the district and TWO less gaming venues in the district. Statistics categorically prove these reductions are the best outcome for any district and our community and this is in line with “The Sinking Lid Policy” passed by our council.

This is the reason this application has been approved by the Department of Internal Affairs and Ministerial consent was granted.

I would like to thank those people who have continued to believe in and support our Club with this new venture and our commitment to our community.

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