Charities lose from pokies again

Media Release: Thursday 27th April 2006

“Charities are once again the loser from pokies,” says John Stansfield, CEO of the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF).

“There is an epidemic of gambling-sponsored epidemic crime in New Zealand and even charities are getting hurt,” says Mr Stansfield.

This comes after reports of two Wellington men being accused of $2 million fraud involving pokie machine expense claims.

“Prior to 2004, it was not uncommon to hear of this sort of crime. The tightened noose of the 2003 Gambling Act has seen a greater accountability in the sector,” says Stansfield.

“But charities being hurt by gambling is altogether too common."

“The link between crime and gambling is much broader than just problem gambling. In some cases, charities are being robbed by gambling providers themselves."

ENDS

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