Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Concern at new technology in pokie machines

Updated at 8:16 pm on 6 January 2011

The Problem Gambling Foundation says it dreads the possible effect of new technology in poker machines approved by the Department of Internal Affairs.

All new machines have had to be equipped with an electronic monitoring system since December.

It means all jackpots will be automatically credited to the machine, instead of being paid in cash or by cheque.

The foundation says that will make people more likely to gamble the money away.

But the Department of Internal Affairs says the new system will allow the player to see how much they have won or lost and the time they have played, which overseas experience has shown encourages them to stop playing.

It will also allow the department to more effectively police the way money is handled in each venue.

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