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.

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

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 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.

The organisers of Lotto say they will review safety on the set of their Saturday night television show.

Brian Rudman asks: "If a national convention centre is the vital piece of missing infrastructure to guarantee our future prosperity, why are they shackling it to the whims of a gambling empire?"

New Zealand First representation for Tauranga will now be shared by leader Winston Peters and the party's other MPs after the expulsion of Brendan Horan.

Winston Peters has defended the expulsion of NZ First list MP Brendan Horan from the party.

A gambling addict who stole more than $60,000 from her employer, started to steal five days after her employment.

Australian authorities will get the full cooperation of New Zealand investigators if they choose to extradite the conman convicted of a $3 million fraud.

A victim of Loizos Michaels clapped as the "brazen" conman was led into the cells.