A Dunedin problem gambling counsellor is spearheading a move to introduce a multivenue exclusion order for pokie venues in the city.
Chris Watkins, a problem-gambling counsellor with the Salvation Army Oasis Centre, wants Dunedin to follow the Queenstown example and introduce a system where people with a problem could exclude themselves from every pokie venue in the city.
"It is ridiculous that someone who has identified themselves as having a problem, has to go to every single venue in the city in an effort to self exclude themselves from that venue," Mr Watkins said.
In 2006, Queenstown became the first territorial authority in New Zealand to operate a multivenue exclusion order, effectively giving problem gamblers the option of barring themselves from playing pokies at the casinos, pubs and clubs of the resort.
Under the Queenstown system, if a patron wants to self exclude themselves, the venue would notify all other venues listed by the patron.
"This is a critical point for a problem gambler, and a multivenue exclusion order makes it easier for them to stop gambling, rather than have to visit every single venue and be faced with embarrassment or even the temptation to gamble," Mr Watkins said.
The centre was working with the Department of Internal Affairs about introducing the scheme to Dunedin next year, and Mr Watkins had approached several pokie venue operators about the idea.
"They don't believe it can work from an administrative point of view, but we think it can . . . and we should try," he said.
The Queenstown multivenue exclusion order was set up in late 2006 and was working well, Michelle Baillie, casino manager for SkyCity Queenstown, said.
"SkyCity Queenstown actively supports the initiative and is happy with the way it is working," she said.
Several pokie venue operators declined to comment on the proposal.
"Waste of time," one operator said.
Minister of Internal Affairs Rick Barker said the department was working with local problem gambling intervention services, gaming machine societies and casinos so problem gamblers could self exclude from all venues and casinos in the area.
"I am very supportive of this type of collaboration and co-operation between the department and the gaming sector, to assist societies and venues to comply with the harm minimisation objectives of the Gambling Act 2003," he said.
Dunedin Casino general manager Nick Winder said he supported the move and had been talking to the department about introducing a multivenue exclusion order.
"We are all for it," he said. "We think it is a very positive."
Problem Gambling Foundation southern regional manager David Coom, of Christchurch, said the foundation supported the move.
"It makes logical sense. It is ludicrous someone can self exclude themselves from a venue and then go and enter one 200m down the road.
"It is good to see the South is leading the charge," he said.
