24 Feb 2015

New pokies law passed

9:15 pm on 24 February 2015

Legislation to improve the regulation of pokies has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

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Photo: RNZ

The Gambling Amendment Bill No. 2 introduces new rules aimed at improving the financial transparency surrounding non-casino gaming machines, and ensuring that machine funds reached the community groups they were intended for.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne said the amendments would ensure pokie operators were part of a clean, well-run sector and made it clear the operators could be held to account.

The legislation also contained new rules designed to lessen the gambling harm caused by pokies.

New Zealand First was the only party to oppose the bill.