Media release from Green Party gambling spokesperson Denise Roche

The Government's plans to minimise gambling harm are completely at odds with allowing SkyCity to increase the number of pokie machines it has, Green Party gambling spokesperson Denise Roche said today.

The Ministry of Health plans to spend millions on minimising gambling harm and is currently calling for submissions on how best to achieve this.  The possible increase in pokies machines at SkyCity will be looked at when new levies for gambling operators are set.

"Increasing the number of pokie machines at SkyCity will cause more harm from problem gambling," said Ms Roche.

"The Ministry of Health's consultation document accepts there will be 'additional gambling expenditure' from the pokie increase.

"The Ministry of Health can't, as yet, predict whether this will lead to increased demand for gambling harm services.

"However, it is a sure bet that more pokies will lead to more gambling harm in our community.

"The Government could save some of the millions of dollars it plans to send on minimising gambling harm by not actively encouraging this harm through the SkyCity deal," said Ms Roche.