Pokie numbers in pubs and clubs across Auckland will drop under a new unified Super City policy.

What do racing and retail sales have in common? Both industries are suffering unfair competition from offshore websites.

The gambling mecca of Macau now handles more wagers than all US-based commercial casinos put together.

SkyCity says it has been "victimised" in the debate over the Convention Centre deal, but a law change to allow increased gambling has the potential to go ahead.

Editorial: The SkyCity convention centre project is a gamble for all involved. But the die is cast, so let's back the country to get it right.

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell defended his Gambling Harm Reduction Bill in Parliament tonight.

The Government and SkyCity have signed off on their controversial deal under which the casino company will build a $402 million international convention centre.

The Auckland Council has voted not to support the $400 million national convention centre for pokies deal on the eve of the Government and SkyCity signing off the deal.

I am now thinking on the next step in this issue, writes Te Ururoa Flavell. "In particular taking aim at the racing industry, and their exemption from the current package of reforms."

The rise in problem gambling cannot be solely credited to poker machines, writes Tony Cooper.

The biggest pokie charity in the country is rejecting funding applications from Anglican-linked organisations because a branch of the church spoke out against gaming machines

SkyCity casino is bringing in facial recognition technology to pluck banned gamblers out of a crowd.

Matt McCarten was in an elevator with a senior gambling executive five years ago. It was a few days before John Key ousted Helen Clark's government.

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell has accepted a major rewriting of his Gambling Harm Reduction Bill in order to secure National Party support for it.

Judy Fairey asks: "If the Govt's aim is truly to get more high-spending tourists, then why is the focus on putting in poker machines and electronic gambling tables?"

The New Zealand government and SkyCity Entertainment Group are giving themselves another fortnight to cut a deal on the terms for the casino and hotel operator to build a $402 million convention centre in Auckland in exchange for regulatory concessions.

A lucky Tauranga local is on cloud nine after winning the $9.85 million Lotto Powerball prize following Saturday's draw.

SkyCity is targeting smokers with an expanded casino area designed for customers who want to have a cigarette while gambling.

The equivalent of an extra 240 poker machines are part of the SkyCity casino deal, with gambling opponents warning they could lead to new addiction problems.

The Government's pokies for convention centre deal cannot bind future governments to compensate SkyCity if the deal is revoked, leading constitutional lawyer Stephen Franks says.

While SkyCity this month got the nod for its controversial $402 million Auckland convention centre, a Queenstown expansion proceeds almost entirely outside the spotlight.

New Zealanders are forecast to spend more on Lotto, casinos, racing and sports betting in the next three years.

SkyCity's rivals say its pokie machines will earn more if Auckland Council heeds calls for a regional sinking lid policy on gaming venues.