Wednesday Write In: Pokie fund collapse

Pokie fund collapse

I have been informed that the Maori Party has introduced the Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill to Parliament.

Now that they are in the same bed with the party, the National Government has agreed to support the bill to select committee stage.

If passed it could mean all pokies banned, which, of course, would collapse gaming trust funding (pub charities, etc).

Will Lotto and scratchies be next?

What about the TAB? They not only take bets on horse racing, but anything from two flies on a wall to when Charlie's missus will become queen.

With no TAB, racing clubs could not survive. No more gallops or harness racing. What would that do to the racehorse industry?

The majority of clubs and associations rely on pub charities for funding, without which they could fold.

Maybe they could go back to the good old days of cake stalls and raffles.

But hang on. Wild pork and ham sandwiches haven't been inspected, and Aunty Jane's cakes and pikelets haven't been cooked in a commercial kitchen. And raffles have to be sanctioned by the Government.

I don't recall this "gambling bill" being reported in the newspapers.

So all those people who host, use or apply for funding from these machines, speak up when or if the opportunity is given. Because once they have gone, they won't come back.

To the Maori Party, look after the problem gamblers with professional help and don't stuff it up for those who enjoy a social flutter.

(Abridged)

Colin Geertson, Renwick