Media release

28 August 2009

On Gamble-Free Day, 1 September, AUT students will dump $5 million underneath the Sky Tower to demonstrate how much money is lost every day through gambling.

At 12noon, bags of fake notes will be emptied at the entrance of SkyCity and the ‘money’ printed with facts about gambling, will be distributed to the public. All concerned people are encouraged to attend.

In association with the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, the students intend to raise awareness about the devastating effects of problem gambling on communities in New Zealand.

AUT student, Dafydd Barrar says the majority of New Zealanders have no idea how much money is lost and how many families are affected by problem gambling.

“When you think that up to one in five New Zealanders are affected by problem gambling, it’s clear that something needs to be done,” Dafydd says.

The students hope that the stunt will foster public debate and urge theGovernment to reconsider its existing legislation concerning pokie machines.

The people who are losing the money to gambling are the ones who need the money the most with the poorest communities (decile nine) having one pokie machine for every 75 people.

Gamble-Free Day started in 2005 and has been held every year since then on the 1st September to raise awareness of problem gambling in New Zealand.

Nikki Kaye will be attending to support.

Ends

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