Luddite wreckers threaten legal gaming machines

Luddite wreckers threaten legal gaming machines

The threats to wreck gaming machines with hammers have to be taken seriously by Police the Chairman of the Community Gaming Association, John Burke, said today.

"Class 4 gambling operators have thousands of dollars invested in legal gaming machines and in the venues where they are located. This property is seriously at risk if some Auckland activists carry out their threats to smash machines with hammers.

"The Police should be determining whether these threats are a breach of the law and whether they could lead to disorder in the event the activists attempt to carry out their threats.

"Operators of gaming machines will take steps to ensure their property is secured.

"The significant majority of players who enjoy gaming machines do so without any harm to themselves or other people.

"Every day the industry works hard to provide a safe gambling environment and to provide suitable interventions for the small minority who develop addictive behaviours. These include counselling and referral to treatment services (paid for out of gambling proceeds), as well as self and venue initiated exclusion orders.

"There are extensive harm minimisation procedures in place - more than in any other country in the world.

"The Luddites smashed machines with hammers but were unable to stand in the way of people's right to enjoy the benefits of technology. They will achieve nothing here other than a futile attempt to impose their views on a public who doesn't agree with them," concluded John Burke.

ENDS

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