25 October 2011

Pokies will be gone by Christmas under MANA

The Manukau East candidate for the MANA movement John Minto says pokie machines in the electorate will be gone by Christmas if MANA wins next month's election.

"I've spoken at many meetings in the electorate and have always had a positive response when I've talked about getting rid of pokie machines.

"I've only come across literally just two people who want the machines to stay," Mr Minto says.

He says under MANA local communities will decide if they want pokie machines or want to get rid of them.

"With the feedback I've had so far Manukau East would be a pokie-free zone by Christmas. I'm sure other electorates will follow suit.

"Half the pokies are in the poorest third of our communities. As a low-income area the people of Manukau East are being targeted by machines which are designed to addict.

"This exploitation of vulnerable people is despicable," he says.

Mr Minto says if the new government doesn't give the community the power to get rid of these machines then MANA will discuss other means, including civil disobedience, to get the machines out.

"There is huge concern about the damage these machines are doing to gambling addicts, their families, extended families and the wider community.

"A billion dollars a year is sucked out of needy communities from these machines (each machine taking on average $50,000 net per year)

"This is wholesale theft from the poor which is siphoned off to the likes of horse racing clubs for the wealthy. The end of the poker scourge is in site with MANA," Mr Minto says.

ENDS

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