Dunedin pokie venues are set to introduce a multiple-venue exclusion order in a combined effort to help problem gamblers.
Under the scheme, problem gamblers will be able to exclude themselves from all 53 Dunedin pokie venues by simply filling out a form and supplying a photograph.
Problem gamblers presently wanting to exclude themselves had to visit each venue, Salvation Army Oasis Centre gambling councillor Chris Watkins said.
"Having a multi-venue exclusion order means we are creating a one-stop shop for problem gamblers."
Problem gamblers who wanted to stop gambling could simply visit a venue and indicate which other venues they wanted to be excluded from.
The only places to introduce multi-venue exclusion orders had been Queenstown, Nelson and, recently, Invercargill, "with the South Island leading the way", he said.
"There is a lot of interest in this scheme from my colleagues in the North Island."
Dunedin will be the largest area to trial the scheme and, at the request of venue operators, the city has been divided into four areas: central, south, north and west.
The advantage of dividing the city into four zones means a problem gambler could exclude from the area they live in, without venue operators in other parts of the city being inundated by requests.
Last month, Mr Watkins invited counsellors, poker-machine operators, and both local and central government representatives to a meeting to discuss the proposal.
It was decided to trial the scheme for 12 months, with Mr Watkins volunteering as co-ordinator.
While the scheme is scheduled to begin on December 1, a problem gambler had already expressed interest in being involved in a trial.
The person's picture was being sent to all venues listed in the exclusion order.
About 2% of the population were believed to be problem gamblers, with the number in Dunedin likely to be about 2000, he said.
Southern Trust compliance manager Campbell Wilson, of Dunedin, welcomed the scheme as a way of helping problem gamblers.
"Our feeling is if someone wants to help themselves we should support them."
Mr Wilson said 80% of money gambled on pokies came from 20% of gamblers and while the scheme might harm the potential revenue of trusts, it was their duty to help the most vulnerable.
