17 Jun 2013

Greens withdraw support for gambling bill

11:48 am on 17 June 2013

The Green Party is to withdrawing its support for a Member's bill that would overhaul the gaming sector.

The Commerce Select Committee has reported back on the bill, in the name of Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell, and recommends several changes.

It includes not requiring gaming machine proceeds to be solely distributed locally, and removes the mandatory requirement for machine operators to track players and provide pre-paid cards.

Green MP Denise Roche said the changes significantly water down the bill and would restrict councils wanting to reduce the number of gaming machines in their areas.