SkyCity Hamilton wants to swap 3 blackjack tables for 60 pokie machines
Friday, 18 January 2019
City leaders have scorned them as 'misery machines' and 'gambling methamphetamine', but Hamilton could still end up with 60 more pokie machines.
SkyCity is proposing to remove three black jack tables from the Hamilton casino and add 60 pokies in their place, bringing the total number to 399.
And while Mayor Andrew King abhors the proposal, one councillor reckons it's the lesser of two evils.
The request has been lodged with the Gambling Commission, which will make the final decision after consulting with affected parties and social services.
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Cr Gary Mallett doesn't see a problem with increasing the number of machines.
For gamblers, having a place to go with firm regulations in place is less harmful than them staying home to gamble on the internet, he said.
It's probably better to have gamblers in a place where staff are trained to recognise problem gamblers, whom they can ask to leave, Mallett said.
Businesses such as SkyCity must have mitigation strategies in place, or risk losing their licenses, Mallett said.
And some community groups rely on funding from pokie machines to continue operating.
While Mallett doesn't support gambling, it's an activity that's been around as long as people.
'I'm just being realistic. It ain't going away.'
But King believes the proposal 'spits in the face' of Hamilton's sinking lid policy, which doesn't allow for any new gambling machines in Hamilton.
'I believe this will increase casino gambling,' King said.
'SkyCity wants to capitalise on a high-earner harm product by requesting 60 more misery machines.'
Getting rid of the 'probably empty' blackjack tables, in exchange for the 60 pokies would look to 'improve [SkyCity's] bottom line with misery money'.
Cr Dave Macpherson agrees, calling pokies 'gambling methamphetamine'.
He's asked Minister of Internal Affairs Tracy Martin to instruct the Gambling Commission to open the submissions up to public consultation.
If it does, Macpherson reckons it will be a firm no from Hamilton's residents.
'Pokies have been shown to be the most addictive form of gambling,' Macpherson said. 'These are something council has been trying to prevent for more than a decade.'
And the sum given back to community groups is 'bugger all'.
SkyCity's request for more pokies was prompted by customer demand at peak hours, SkyCity Hamilton general manager Michelle Baillie said.
It's a casino recently applauded for its 'culture of care' by the Department of Internal Affairs, Baillie said.
'The number of player spaces available for gaming will actually reduce under the proposed change, and therefore will not increase opportunities to gamble, as we have submitted to the Commission. The Gambling Act provides for such changes with the Commission's approval.'
The Hamilton venue has contributed $325 million to the economy since SkyCity gained full ownership in 2005, Baillie said.
About $11.1m of that went to community support and sponsorships to more than 1600 groups, she said.
Council will make a decision on the submission at a meeting on February 7.