4 May 2018

Rise in pokie spending despite fewer machines

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 4 May 2018

Latest figures from the Department of Interal affairs show an increase in spending on pokies, despite there being fewer machines. New Zealanders have spent more than $210 million on pokies in the first quarter of this year - and some centres have shown a huge increase compared with last year. The Problem Gambling Foundation says pokie machines are more prolific in poor areas, and much of the $888 million total spent on them in the last year came from those who can least afford it. Kathryn Ryan speaks with Andree Froude from the Problem Gambling Foundation.