Who got that job?

Job title: General manager

For: The Lion Foundation

This job - overseeing the distribution of money raised through gaming machines in pubs and clubs all over New Zealand - was no gamble for South African-born Mark Forshaw.

His former post was manager of electronic gaming at Christchurch's casino.

He was also general manager-designate for the Dunedin casino, which opened about 18 months ago, but didn't take up the post.

"I had known of the Lion Foundation for many years," says the 41-year-old.

"I always loved the gaming industry, and the opportunity to get in to the charitable side was the best combination of all worlds."

"I knew what the position entailed and I knew the incumbent."

The Lion Foundation, a charitable trust which operates at arm's length from liquor giant Lion Nathan, gave out $24 million to community groups in the year to the end of March on the recommendations of publicans.

The Auckland-based job involves a lot of travel, keeping in touch with pub owners and other players in a business governed by strict Department of Internal Affairs rules.

Mr Forshaw, who has 16 staff, says one of the most pressing issues facing his sector is a general proliferation of gaming machines and competition from casinos.

Casinos, he says, can advertise themselves in a way that pubs cannot.

Since he arrived in New Zealand seven years ago, the number of gaming machines in pubs and clubs has soared from about 6000 to about 17,000.