Pop-up messages to break pokie habit

Pokie players will soon be interrupted every 30 minutes by pop-up messages outlining how much cash they've won or lost - and asking if they want to continue.

The messages will delay players for at least 15 seconds and appear at random intervals of up to 30 minutes, starting from the time they begin playing.

New gaming machines must have pop-ups from October 1 and all machines by July 1, 2009.

Internal Affairs deputy secretary Andrew Secker said gamblers would be able to resume play after 15 seconds, wait longer if they wished, or end their session.

Earlier this year, gambling industry representatives complained to a parliamentary select committee about the plans, saying they had not been sufficiently consulted. The complaints were rejected.

The department initially proposed a 30-second interruption but cut it after objections.

Gamblers questioned yesterday said the messages would make them think twice about continuing to play.

"I think it will make you aware of it, especially if you are spending hundreds of dollars," one man said.

But a Wellington bar manager said problem gamblers would "completely ignore it".

"If you really want to stop people becoming problem gamblers, take out things like jackpots."

Problem Gambling Foundation chairman Richard Northey said the messages would help some problem gamblers and could stop new gamblers going down a "slippery slope".

Charity Gaming Association chief executive Francis Wevers said it was too early to say what impact the messages would have.

"The major concern is that it's imposing costs on the system when there is absolutely no evidence internationally that there's any benefits being derived in terms of the target audience."

- NZPA