It's hardly the Las Vegas of the Pacific. But with six casinos already and a growing gambling problem, New Zealand's government has ruled that no more casinos will be built here.
Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins announced in Auckland Friday that his government was banning more casinos, which means the capital Wellington will miss out on a coveted waterfront casino development, the Sunday Star-Times reported.
Hawkins announcement that the government would not license any more casinos was poignantly made at an Auckland conference on gambling organised by the Problem Gambling Foundation.
"We believe problem gambling is a serious public health issue and should be treated as such," he said.
The foundation's chief executive, Ralph Gerdelan, said his organisation was delighted at the government's move. He estimates there are at least 100,000 thousand New Zealanders (of a total population of nearly four million) with serious gambling problems, with young people making up a disproportionate number.
Since New Zealand's first casino opened in Christchurch in 1994, five others have sprung up -- in Hamilton, Dunedin, two in Queenstown and the largest, Auckland's Sky City.
Hawkins said the gaming sector had been allowed to grow "at great speed", and laws had not necessarily kept up with industry developments -- AUCKLAND (AFP)
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