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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>PokiesDaily</title> <atom:link href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/</link> <description>New Zealand Pokies, Casino and Betting Hub</description> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 03 Mar 2024 08:34:09 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-NZ</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2</generator> <image> <url>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-poker-icon-nz.png</url> <title>PokiesDaily</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height></image> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">189987600</site> <item> <title>Why iGaming Players Favour High RTP Slot Games</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/why-igaming-players-favour-high-rtp-slot-games/518/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-igaming-players-favour-high-rtp-slot-games</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 03 Mar 2024 08:34:09 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=518</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>When you play online casino games at fully licensed and regulated iGaming sites, each game has an average Return to Player percentage (RTP%) payout rate. It’s calculated by the amount of money players wager over a certain amount of time and how much money they receive back in winnings during that same period. Take online […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/why-igaming-players-favour-high-rtp-slot-games/518/">Why iGaming Players Favour High RTP Slot Games</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When you play online casino games at fully licensed and regulated iGaming sites, each game has an average Return to Player percentage (RTP%) payout rate. It’s calculated by the amount of money players wager over a certain amount of time and how much money they receive back in winnings during that same period.</p><p>Take online <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/pokies-manufacturer-aristocrat-sees-online-surge/447/">pokies</a>, for example. These games are computer-generated, and the predetermined results/outcomes that occur each time you hit the spin button are, in fact, produced by highly sophisticated mathematical algorithm software using Random Number Generators (RNGs).</p><p>Let’s dive straight in to reveal the simple reason why some iGaming players favour online pokies with high average RTP% payout rates.</p><p><strong>Why do iGaming players favour slots with high RTP% payout rates?</strong></p><p>Savvy online casino players prefer playing online pokies with high or above-average RTP payout rates because, mathematically speaking, they are more likely (but not guaranteed) to win on a pokie with a higher RTP payout rate than on a pokie with a low RTP payout rate.</p><p>With most mechanical fruit machines and pokies you can play at land-based casinos and other similar licensed gaming venues, you can expect anywhere from a 70% to 80% RTP payout rate, but at online casinos, the average RTP% payout rate for online pokies is much higher and often hovers around 93.00% to 98.00%.</p><p>It’s so much higher online because operators can afford to offer higher payout rates because they have fewer overheads. Online pokies use frequently tested RNGs to produce consistently random results, and despite the fact that advanced computer programs produce outcomes, the results are still fair and random.</p><p>It’s the same testing system that is used on <a href="https://www.casinos.com/nz/pokies/free">free pokies</a> and real money online pokies. When you hit the spin button, the reels only present the illusion they are spinning randomly. In fact, the results are already predetermined.</p><p>However, to ensure fair play, the results we receive are about as fair and realistic as possible because of the complex technology used in producing random outcomes with no discernible pattern.</p><p><strong>How are online slot machine RTP% payout rates calculated?</strong></p><p>Online pokie RTP% payout rates are calculated in several ways using various reliable testing systems. For example, there are many internationally accredited online casino testing agencies (non-profit organisations) whose role is to test the games to ensure players aren’t being cheated in any way and are getting a fair service.</p><p>Companies like <a href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/guide/page/ecogra">eCOGRA</a> (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance), Global Lab Limited, BMM Testlabs, Quinel Ltd, iTech Global Pty Limited, Technical Systems Testing (TST) and Gaming Laboratory International, to name a few, are independent and have no affiliation with the casinos. One of their many roles is to test the games on behalf of the players to ensure the integrity of the industry.</p><p>They use their systems to play millions, or sometimes billions, of spins in a short amount of time, and then based on the amount of winnings paid out in that time compared to how much was wagered, the results tell us the average RTP payout rate for that game for that period under review.</p><p>This is why you might find that an online pokie may have a 96.78% payout rate one month, and a 95.92% payout rate the next month, and so on. The results will be different almost every time. The average online pokie RTP payout rate most players are happy with today is between 93.00% and 98.00%.</p><p><strong>Examples of how RTP% rates for online pokies are calculated</strong></p><p>Let’s take the famous Diamond Mine Megaways online pokie and use this game as an example. If 10,000 players spend a combined total of NZ$200,000 on this game in a four-week period, and those same players received NZ$196,040 in winnings during that same period, the RTP% payout rate during this time for that pokie was 98.02%</p><p>Here is another example. If players spent a combined NZ$80,000 on the iconic Book of Dead online pokie from Play’n GO over a six-week period at any of the top-rated <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand">New Zealand</a> casino sites featured on the reputable Casinos.com iGaming review site and received, on average, NZ$76,584 in winnings, it means this pokie’s RTP% payout rate during that time was 95.73%.</p><p>Some online casino players will only play online pokies with high (or above average) RTP% payout rates. In other words, they will avoid playing pokies with a 90.00% to 93.00% payout rate and stick to playing online pokies with a 98.00% or higher RTP payout rate. Although it’s a great tactic, playing pokies with high RTP payout rates doesn’t guarantee that they will win more.</p><p><strong>Final thoughts</strong></p><p>If you want to check the latest RTP payout rate for a game you want to play, you can generally find the latest information in the game’s paytable.</p><p>Alternatively, you can try to find the RTP payout rates by asking the casino’s player support for more information, or you can go to the official website of the testing agency that calculates the average payout rate for that casino.</p><p>On sites like eCOGRA, the results they find after testing the games to determine their average RTP payout rates are usually published online for everyone to see.</p><p>This is why today’s most trusted NZ casino sites are monitored by globally renowned online casino testing agencies, to ensure fairness and show transparency in their operations.</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/why-igaming-players-favour-high-rtp-slot-games/518/">Why iGaming Players Favour High RTP Slot Games</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">518</post-id> </item> <item> <title>SkyCity Entertainment Group Lockdown Losses Revealed</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/skycity-entertainment-group-lockdown-losses-revealed/516/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=skycity-entertainment-group-lockdown-losses-revealed</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 28 Aug 2022 19:55:14 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SkyCity]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=516</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The release of SkyCity Entertainment Group’s (NZX/ASX:SKC) financial results this week has revealed the extent lockdowns hurt the New Zealand casino group. SkyCity reported on Thursday a hugely reduced underlying profit as the Covid pandemic and subsequent lockdowns decimated its operations. Key numbers for the year ended June (millions of $) vs a year ago […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/skycity-entertainment-group-lockdown-losses-revealed/516/">SkyCity Entertainment Group Lockdown Losses Revealed</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The release of SkyCity Entertainment Group’s (NZX/ASX:SKC) financial results this week has revealed the extent lockdowns hurt the <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Zealand casino</a> group.</p><p>SkyCity reported on Thursday a hugely reduced underlying profit as the Covid pandemic and subsequent lockdowns decimated its operations.</p><p><b>Key numbers for the year ended June (millions of $) vs a year ago</b></p><ul><li>Net loss $33.6m vs profit $155.8m</li><li>Normalised profit $9.7m vs $90.0m</li><li>Revenue $639m vs $952m</li><li>Normalised revenue $631.5m vs $822.5m</li><li>Final dividend – nil vs 7 cps</li></ul><p>Earnings had plummeted due to the casino closures and the complete lack of tourism. SkyCity’s flagship casino in Auckland was closed for 107 days out of the year. As a result, the venue saw revenue of NZ$330.6 million (US$205.36 million), a 32.3% decline. Meanwhile in Australia, things fared a little better for the casino operator. However, revenues were still lower. SkyCity’s casino in Adelaide, Australia, reported a decline of 6.3% to NZ$206.4 million (US$128.23 million).</p><p>The normalised net profit, which excluded one off items such as commissions and changes in asset values, surpassed expectations. However, overall profit was still behind the pre-COVID levels of 2019.</p><h2>SkyCity Entertainment Group’s (NZX/ASX:SKC) Signs of Recovery</h2><p>Despite the weak financial results, it was not all doom and gloom. Chief executive Michael Ahearne said business was returning to more normal operation and there were clear signs of recovery.</p><p>“Following the relaxation of operating restrictions during the final quarter of the 2022 financial year, SkyCity has seen the strong performance from its local gaming businesses in New Zealand continue into the 2023 financial year and improved performance from SkyCity Adelaide.”</p><p>The <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/best-online-casinos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">online casino</a> launched just before the start of COVID in 2019 and based in Malta for legal reasons, saw its earnings jump by 29 percent from the previous year. The online casino side of SkyCity’s business was now “a meaningful contributor” to group earnings, accounting for 9 percent of operating earnings.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/skycity-entertainment-group-lockdown-losses-revealed/516/">SkyCity Entertainment Group Lockdown Losses Revealed</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">516</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Q1 Figures Reveal Northlanders Spend $82,000 a Day on Pokies</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/q1-figures-reveal-northlanders-spend-82000-a-day-on-pokies/512/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=q1-figures-reveal-northlanders-spend-82000-a-day-on-pokies</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:29:36 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=512</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Figures released from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) in New Zealand highlighted the big spend Northlanders have on pokies machines. In the first quarter of the year, Northlanders spent $7.4 million on pokies machines. This works out at just over $82,000 a day. The money spent on class 4 pokies machines in Q1 was […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/q1-figures-reveal-northlanders-spend-82000-a-day-on-pokies/512/">Q1 Figures Reveal Northlanders Spend $82,000 a Day on Pokies</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Figures released from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) in New Zealand highlighted the big spend Northlanders have on pokies machines.</p><p>In the first quarter of the year, Northlanders spent $7.4 million on pokies machines. This works out at just over $82,000 a day.</p><p>The money spent on class 4 pokies machines in Q1 was actually less than was spent in the final quarter of last year. The final months of 2021 saw a staggering $7.9m spent on pokies machines, which works out at $87,777 a day.</p><p>Last year saw a particularly big spend on pokies. A whopping $36m was spent on pokie machines in Northland in 2021. In 2020, the total spend was $32.7m.</p><p>The NZ government announced a $76m investment into a new Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm across the country. The strategy will include education initiatives to reduce harm to young people, and better support given to vulnerable communities including Māori, Pasifika and Asian.</p><p>Health Minister Andrew Little said:</p><blockquote><p>“Gambling harm is a serious public health issue and can have a devastating effect on the wellbeing of individuals, whānau and communities. One in five New Zealanders will experience gambling harm in their lives, or know someone close who does,”</p></blockquote><p> </p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/q1-figures-reveal-northlanders-spend-82000-a-day-on-pokies/512/">Q1 Figures Reveal Northlanders Spend $82,000 a Day on Pokies</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">512</post-id> </item> <item> <title>NZ Gambling Spend Up 17%, Pokies at 5-Year High</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/nz-gambling-spend-up-17-pokies-at-5-year-high/508/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nz-gambling-spend-up-17-pokies-at-5-year-high</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 27 Mar 2022 21:57:23 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=508</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>New Zealand’s love affair with gambling increased again in the fiscal year 2020/21. New data released by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs this week showed that Kiwis spent in total NZ$2.63bn over 12 months. The figure represents a 17% increase from the 2019/2020 fiscal year. When it comes to New Zealand’s favourite pastime […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/nz-gambling-spend-up-17-pokies-at-5-year-high/508/">NZ Gambling Spend Up 17%, Pokies at 5-Year High</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>New Zealand’s love affair with gambling increased again in the fiscal year 2020/21.</p><p>New data released by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs this week showed that Kiwis spent in total NZ$2.63bn over 12 months. The figure represents a 17% increase from the 2019/2020 fiscal year.</p><p>When it comes to New Zealand’s favourite pastime – <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pokies</a> – spending outside of the casinos increased by 23% to NZ$987m. The overall spend is now at its highest level in five years.</p><p>Andree Froude, the Problem Gambling Foundation Spokesperson, spoke of the concerns over the rising gambling spend.</p><p><a href="https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/289756-gambling-data-kiwis-spend-more-than-26-billion.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Froude said</a>: “It certainly shows that Kiwis returned to gambling after the lockdown restrictions ended, spending the equivalent of NZ$730 for every adult in the country. The spend on pokies in Aotearoa is fast approaching NZ$1bn and that is money coming out of some of our poorest communities.</p><p>“Over 60% of pokie venues are situated in medium high to very high deprivation areas so the money being lost is coming from people who can least afford to lose it.”</p><p>“Gambling harm is a serious social issue in this country, disproportionately impacting Māori, Pasifika and Asian communities. Class 4 pokies are the most harmful form of gambling with nearly 50% of people seeking help for gambling citing pokies in pubs, clubs and TABs as their main form of gambling.”</p><p>Last week, the New Zealand’s Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti, announced a review into the harm caused by gambling. <a href="https://www.dia.govt.nz/reducingpokiesharm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Public consultation</a> on reducing the harm from pokies started on March 17th, 2022, and will run for six weeks.</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/nz-gambling-spend-up-17-pokies-at-5-year-high/508/">NZ Gambling Spend Up 17%, Pokies at 5-Year High</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">508</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Ministry of Health Refuses Further Facial Recognition Funding</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/ministry-of-health-refuses-further-facial-recognition-funding/504/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ministry-of-health-refuses-further-facial-recognition-funding</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 12 Mar 2022 12:52:15 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=504</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The hotly discussed topic of using facial recognition technology to help combat problem gambling once again came to the fore of New Zealand’s Pokies news this week. The Gaming Machine Association, the organisation representing pokie machine owners in New Zealand, repeated calls for the New Zealand Government to fund facial recognition software in gambling venues […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/ministry-of-health-refuses-further-facial-recognition-funding/504/">Ministry of Health Refuses Further Facial Recognition Funding</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The hotly discussed topic of using facial recognition technology to help combat problem gambling once again came to the fore of <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Zealand’s Pokies news</a> this week.</p><p>The Gaming Machine Association, the organisation representing pokie machine owners in New Zealand, repeated calls for the New Zealand Government to fund facial recognition software in gambling venues to help prevent some people with gambling problems from playing pokies.</p><p>At the end of last year in Australia, the <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/facial-recognition-may-be-used-for-tasmanias-pokies/478/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tasmanian parliament tabled legislation</a> to bring in facial recognition to help prevent problem gamblers from playing.</p><p>Peter Dengate Thrush, chairman of the Gaming Machine Association said the cameras installed in pokies venues were “mostly funded” already. However, the software used by the cameras “has high licensing fees”. Thrush wants that the Ministry of Health disburse some of the money it collects from the problem gambling levy on pokies, back to their operators, to pay for the software licensing.</p><p>New Zealand’s Ministry of Health’s has so far, refused to allow problem gambling funds to be spent on the software. Thrust said that this was “disrupting the self-determination efforts of problem gamblers”.</p><p>“There are 148 facial recognition systems already installed in venues across New Zealand. The class 4 industry – the societies – spent $3.5m themselves because they don’t want problem gamblers in their venues,”</p><p>A spokeswoman for the Ministry said that it was already working with the association on facial recognition software.</p><p>“As part of this service we fund a database that has the capability to securely store photos to support facial recognition systems, making it easier for venues to incorporate these into their systems,”</p><p>“Venues receive a commission payment of up to 16 per cent of gaming machine profits to meet the operational costs of hosting gambling. This includes the costs associated with meeting harm minimisation requirements,”</p><p> </p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/ministry-of-health-refuses-further-facial-recognition-funding/504/">Ministry of Health Refuses Further Facial Recognition Funding</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">504</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Hamilton SkyCity Casino Staff Start New Year on Strike</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/hamilton-skycity-casino-staff-start-new-year-on-strike/498/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hamilton-skycity-casino-staff-start-new-year-on-strike</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 2022 18:25:15 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=498</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>New year, new beginnings. Although a choppy start for SkyCity casino in Hamilton after staff there marked the new year by walking out of the job and going on strike. Strike action was taken after the Unite union says the workers at the popular casino want a living wage and pay equality. However, SkyCity says […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/hamilton-skycity-casino-staff-start-new-year-on-strike/498/">Hamilton SkyCity Casino Staff Start New Year on Strike</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>New year, new beginnings. Although a choppy start for SkyCity casino in Hamilton after staff there marked the new year by walking out of the job and going on strike.</p><p>Strike action was taken after the Unite union says the workers at the popular casino want a living wage and pay equality. However, SkyCity says it is disappointed the union resorted to strike action before going to mediation.</p><p>John Crocker, the Unite national secretary said that SkyCity is one of the wealthiest companies in New Zealand. However, he noted that the casino workers in the Hamilton value actually get less than their Auckland colleagues.</p><p>John said that the workers just want equal pay for equal work with their Auckland colleagues and that it would not cost SkyCity a huge amount of money to achieve this.</p><p>The Unite national secretary said that he hopes the strike will prompt SkyCity to make a better offer to its Hamilton workers</p><p>A SkyCity spokesperson said in a statement:</p><p>“SkyCity is disappointed Unite chose to strike before going to mediation as agreed to by both parties at the start of the bargaining process. However, SkyCity is committed to finding a resolution and has sought a mediation session with Unite early in the new year,”</p><p>SkyCity has reached an agreement with Unite and E tū unions for its Auckland casino and has reached an agreement with E tū members at SkyCity Hamilton, the spokesperson said.</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/hamilton-skycity-casino-staff-start-new-year-on-strike/498/">Hamilton SkyCity Casino Staff Start New Year on Strike</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">498</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Lower Hutt the Latest to Introduce Sinking Lid Pokies Policy</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/lower-hutt-the-latest-to-introduce-sinking-lid-pokies-policy/496/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lower-hutt-the-latest-to-introduce-sinking-lid-pokies-policy</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 01 Jan 2022 17:35:14 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lower Hutt]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sinking lid]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=496</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Just weeks after the Mackensie District voted to introduce a sinking lid policy, Lower Hutt, the sixth-largest city in New Zealand has voted to do the same. This follows the decisions also made by Porirua (2013) and Wellington (2021). In a unanimous decision made mid-December, Hutt City Council voted to introduce a sinking lid policy […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/lower-hutt-the-latest-to-introduce-sinking-lid-pokies-policy/496/">Lower Hutt the Latest to Introduce Sinking Lid Pokies Policy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just weeks after the <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/mackenzie-district-sinking-lid-policy-to-ease-out-pokies/486/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mackensie District voted to introduce a sinking lid policy</a>, Lower Hutt, the sixth-largest city in New Zealand has voted to do the same. This follows the decisions also made by Porirua (2013) and Wellington (2021).</p><p>In a unanimous decision made mid-December, Hutt City Council voted to introduce a sinking lid policy to pokie machines in the city.</p><p>During the consultation period prior to the vote, the Council heard from a range of people and community groups, including groups that are worried about a fall in funding, should pokie machine numbers be reduced in the city, and also those that are against the harm to families caused by Pokies.</p><p>Policy, Finance and Strategy Chair Simon Edwards said:</p><p>“Council has a responsibility to support the wellbeing of all our people. In 2019, $29 million in profit was collected from gaming machines in our city. Of that, only $4 million was returned to the Hutt-based community and sports groups in the form of grants,”</p><p>“Lower Hutt has well above the national average number of pokies per capita. We need to take an approach that minimises harm.”</p><p>“Community groups are an important part of our city, and we have heard and understand their concerns,”</p><p>“We’ve taken a balanced approach by introducing a sinking lid, and we will be strongly advocating to central government to consider providing alternative sources of funding that don’t rely on pokies.”</p><p>“The highest concentration of pokies are in our most in-need neighbourhoods, and the community funding that results often ends up in our more well-off communities. For Lower Hutt to be a city where everyone thrives, we need to make fairness a priority.”</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/lower-hutt-the-latest-to-introduce-sinking-lid-pokies-policy/496/">Lower Hutt the Latest to Introduce Sinking Lid Pokies Policy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">496</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Design Refit at Dunedin Casino Wins Award</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/design-refit-at-dunedin-casino-wins-award/492/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=design-refit-at-dunedin-casino-wins-award</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Dec 2021 10:34:10 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=492</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The Grand Casino, formerly, the Dunedin Casino, has seen its refit, carried out earlier this year, win an award for its design. The refuburshiment came with the change of name and was the first time the casino had beeen refurbished in 22 years. Simpson-King Design owner Annie Simpson-King, a self employed interior designer in Dunedin […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/design-refit-at-dunedin-casino-wins-award/492/">Design Refit at Dunedin Casino Wins Award</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Grand Casino, formerly, the Dunedin Casino, has seen its refit, carried out earlier this year, win an award for its design.</p><p>The refuburshiment came with the change of name and was the first time the casino had beeen refurbished in 22 years.</p><p>Simpson-King Design owner Annie Simpson-King, a self employed interior designer in Dunedin for the last decade, conducted the refit of the casino’s restaurant, bar and atrium areas to give it a “modern and elegant” feel.</p><p>Earlier this month, it was announced the refurbishment had won the Heritage Colour Maestro Award at the prestigious Resene Total Colour Awards. The event held each year during New Zealand fashion week was held online due to social distancing restrictions from COVID-19.</p><p>Simpson-King, who has has worked on multiple major refits in Dunedin, including John Wickliffe House, the University of Otago’s clocktower and St David Lecture Theatre, said winning the award for the refit of one of <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/best-online-casinos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Zealand’s most popular casinos</a> was “very exciting.”</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/design-refit-at-dunedin-casino-wins-award/492/">Design Refit at Dunedin Casino Wins Award</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">492</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Kawakawa Residents Biggest Pokie Spenders in NZ</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/kawakawa-residents-biggest-pokie-spenders-in-nz/488/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kawakawa-residents-biggest-pokie-spenders-in-nz</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 27 Nov 2021 12:28:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kawakawa]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=488</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Kawakawa, a small town in the Bay of Islands area of the Northland Region of New Zealand, has been named as the place where its residents spend the most on Pokies. Information from data analysis company Dot Loves Data, shows that the town’s pokies spending equates to $1418 of spending for each of Kawakawa’s 1464 […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/kawakawa-residents-biggest-pokie-spenders-in-nz/488/">Kawakawa Residents Biggest Pokie Spenders in NZ</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Kawakawa, a small town in the Bay of Islands area of the Northland Region of New Zealand, has been named as the place where its residents spend the most on Pokies.</p><p>Information from data analysis company Dot Loves Data, shows that the town’s pokies spending equates to $1418 of spending for each of Kawakawa’s 1464 residents which works out at about $190 per week.</p><p>Kawakawa was developed as a service town when coal was found there in the 1860s, but coal mining ceased in the early 20th century. The economy is now based on farming and the average resident of Kawakawa earns about $22,800 a year. Residents there are as twice as likely to be unemployed than in the rest of New Zealand, yet, worryingly, the residents of the small town spend more on pokie machines than anyone else in New Zealand.</p><p>Dot Loves Data government relations director Justin Lester, a former mayor of Wellington said:</p><p>“It’s incredibly tragic for the community that so much has been spent in an area, and it’s not the only area in the country that has spending levels that big, but it is the one that stands out,”</p><p>“There’s no refuting it: all of the evidence suggests that it [pokies] targets the most deprived members of the community.”</p><p>Andree Froude, the communications director for the Problem Gambling Association said that the figures highlight the “significant spend on pokies, and it’s money coming from people who can’t afford to be losing it. If this money wasn’t being lost on pokies, it would be spent in the community at local businesses and retail outlets.”</p><h2>Pokies Spending by the Poor a Concern</h2><p>From the $987m total annual pokie spend, $128m, or 13 percent, was spent by the poorest 10 percent of the Kiwi population. In total, 63 percent was spent by the poorest 50 percent of New Zealanders. In contrast, the richest 10 percent spent $45m, or 4.6 percent, despite its significantly higher income.</p><p>The average spend of the poorest Kiwis works out at $380 a year. Meanwhile, for the wealthiest kiwis, it was $129.</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/kawakawa-residents-biggest-pokie-spenders-in-nz/488/">Kawakawa Residents Biggest Pokie Spenders in NZ</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">488</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Mackenzie District Sinking Lid Policy to Ease Out Pokies</title> <link>https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/mackenzie-district-sinking-lid-policy-to-ease-out-pokies/486/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mackenzie-district-sinking-lid-policy-to-ease-out-pokies</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Wainer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:48:27 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mackenzie District]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pokies machines]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF)]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/?p=486</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>According to reports, the new sinking lid policy for pokies in the Mackenzie District has been criticized by the Problem Gambling Foundation for not going far enough An extraordinary district council meeting in Fairlie last week saw changes adoptged to its Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy. The changes follow the decision to revoke […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/mackenzie-district-sinking-lid-policy-to-ease-out-pokies/486/">Mackenzie District Sinking Lid Policy to Ease Out Pokies</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>According to reports, the new sinking lid policy for pokies in the Mackenzie District has been criticized by the Problem Gambling Foundation for not going far enough</p><p>An extraordinary district council meeting in Fairlie last week saw changes adoptged to its Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy. The changes follow the decision to revoke the existing policy back in June 2021.</p><p>Class 4 refers to pokie machines in clubs, pubs and TABs. Previouslym the council had a 65 machine limit in place with 36 operating pokies machines and no sinking lid policy.</p><p>The council had sought feedback on three options – to impose a sinking lid, to lower the overall number or to impose no change or opt for another option.</p><p>Of the four submissions the council considered, two – Trust Aoraki, who manage 18 of the districts’ 36 pokie machines, and the Gaming Association of New Zealand – wanted a cap of 45 licences with a relocation policy.</p><p>The other two submissions – from the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) and Community and Public Health – supported a strong sinking lid.</p><p>Staff and councillors proposed a merger of options, which resulted in a modified sinking lid proposal being adopted. The policy adopted allows for the transfer of machine licences should a business change hands, adding another caveat allowing licences to be transferred if the venue is affected by a natural hazard or fire.</p><p>This means that should a business close for any other reason, the pokies machines will be non-transferable.</p><p>There are currently f36 machines across the district, as well as an application for a further nine machines underway for the Tekapo Tavern, which is undergoing a rebuild after a fire in 2019.</p><p>According to the Problem Gambling Foundation there was $1,022,865 spent on class 4 pokies in the Mackenzie District during the 2020-2021 financial year.</p><p>Problem Gambling Foundation director of communications Andree Froude said sinking lids are currently the best policy available to councils for minimising the harm caused by Pokies. However, they only work if venues are closing. Froude said:</p><blockquote><p>“Often they don’t, so it can take a very long time. We actually believe sinking lids don’t go far enough, and a lot of councils around the country are feeling quite hamstrung about what they can do.</p><p>“We’ve seen recently some councils speaking out strongly about wanting to get pokies out of their communities because of the harm, and because the benefit they’re getting from funding just doesn’t make up for it.</p><p>“I think they need more control over that, so they can make decisions stronger than sinking lids. That would require a change in the Gambling Act, but I think it’s time for that conversation to happen, because so much harm is being caused in our communities.</p><p>“The harm from pokies far outweighs any benefit from funding communities.”</p></blockquote><p> </p><p>The post <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz/mackenzie-district-sinking-lid-policy-to-ease-out-pokies/486/">Mackenzie District Sinking Lid Policy to Ease Out Pokies</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pokiesdaily.co.nz">PokiesDaily</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">486</post-id> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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