A gambler who won a record $250,000 payout last month from the TAB after picking eight second-round NRL winners has done it again.

The Government has been urged to introduce facial-recognition technology for poker machines to restrict problem gamblers as part of an overhaul of gambling laws.

Nearly 100 kids were found wandering by themselves in SkyCity last year, a statistic which anti-gambling advocates say proves that problem-gambling is a growing issue.

Dozens of racing clubs in the south have been ordered to hand over files as part of a Serious Fraud Office probe into pokie grants.

More than 50 long-serving TAB workers look set to lose their jobs as the agency prepares to close its Auckland phone betting centre at Ellerslie.

Instant Kiwi scratchcards have played a key part in the "normalisation of the problem," the Gambling Foundation says.

John Key's deal with SkyCity exposes how government leadership interacts with gambling and other addiction industries, writes Peter Adams. Two things stand out in the deal where Mr Key gets a new convention centre.

Nine out of every 10 people in Auckland want cuts to the number of poker machines in the poorest and most vulnerable parts of the city.

The gambling-charity boss overseeing pokies in pubs and bars has launched a blistering attack on the problem-gambling industry.

It's a particularly nasty insult because local community groups have worked hard to reduce pokie numbers, writes John Minto.

Officials in one of Prime Minister John Key's departments disregarded Treasury advice to seek guidance in how to conduct SkyCity talks with honesty and integrity.

SkyCity asked for taxpayers to pay for the marketing and promotion of the international convention centre, but the Government ruled it out.

SkyCity got special treatment in its pitch to build the international convention centre - but nothing which will get in the way of a formal deal being struck.

New figures show a sharp rise in gambling problems linked to Lotto, and health officials blame big jackpots.

In the heart of the Waikato, a small health provider dared to step out from the pack. Lotto, warned Hauora Waikato, has dangers.

The amount of money dropped into New Zealand pokie machines fell by more than 3 per cent last year, according to new Government figures.

The public health experts who once led SkyCity's problem gambling programme say the casino doesn't do enough to prove they stop punters becoming addicts.

New Zealanders lost a record $2.07 billion gambling last year with bets totalling more than $16 billion - or more than $3600 for every man, woman and child.

A woman who "ruthlessly exploited" her elderly neighbour by nearly draining her bank account to play pokie machines says she is happy with her sentence.

Pubs and bars are pushing for a gambling law change to allow them to take a profit on pokie machines, reducing the amount that gets paid back to the community.

On Friday, Auckland couple Olivia and Brent were struck by the overwhelming joy and financial worry of finding out they were having a baby.

A couple were told at two outlets they were too late to get a Lotto ticket before chancing upon a store still open and buying their ticket.