NZ - “Problem gambling group and Greens ‘misguided’ - East “
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NZPA | Thursday, 15 February 2007
The Charity Gaming Association yesterday rubbished what it called attempts by the Problem Gambling Foundation and the Greens to blacken the reputation of the charitable gaming sector.
Association chairman Paul East said attacks on its grants to racing clubs were “misguided”.
Green Party MP Sue Bradford said yesterday millions of dollars from pokie machines in poor communities were being distributed to the racing industry.
She said the Problem Gambling Foundation had figures showing about $17 million was involved.
“Not only is the transfer of money from poor to rich completely immoral, the lack of transparency about these transactions is extremely disturbing,” Ms Bradford said.
She said the Government needed to act to put things right.
But Mr East noted today that racing clubs, like other community groups, were entitled to apply for grants.
“In fact the Department of Internal Affairs has specifically approved grants to racing clubs as an authorised purpose for grants of gaming machine profits.”
He added the association estimated that less than 5 per cent of all charity gaming money granted each year went to racing clubs.
That amount was “not disproportionate to the amount given to other worthwhile community groups”.
“There is no justification for grant distribution to be handed over to faceless government officials – the dozens of community leaders currently involved in making the important decisions about how to fairly and equitably distribute a diminishing pool of grant money are doing an excellent job.
Suggestions to the contrary by politicians were unfounded.
