7 April 2005

GamblingWatch complains to DIA

Gambling Reform lobby group GamblingWatch has complained to the Department of Internal Affairs - NZ's gambling regulators about an unsolicited email promotion campaign by Air New Zealand that urges recipients to have "a quick spin" on a virtual pokie machine (see below, flashin icons and all) with a chance of winning a air travel prize worth $5000.

GamblingWatch co-ordinator Dave Macpherson said the promotion had been forwarded to him by a GamblingWatch member who had received it unsolicited, and was both offended at the gambling nature of the offer, and concerned that anyone with a gambling addiction problem who received it might have their problem exacerbated.

"We are also concerned about the potential for access of this sort of spam promotion by minors - there is absolutely no check in the email about the age of the 'player' - and about the clear lack of understanding by Air New Zealand about gambling addiction problems."

"A pokie machine to help you win air travel might seem like a bit of a laugh to Air New Zealand's managers, but we can assure them that the problems caused by the nation's 25,000 pokie machines are anything but fun for thousands of New Zealand's families."

GamblingWatch has asked the DIA to investigate this promotion for breaches of the Gambling Act, but in the meantime is calling on Air New Zealnd to withdraw it, and to apologise to all the recipients of the unsolicited spam promotion."

ENDS

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