Gambling Ticketing System Under Scrutiny

NewstalkZBA ticketing system allowing gamblers to put up to $500 into a pokie machine at once is under the spotlight. SkyCity received permission before the new Gambling Act came in last year to put the so-called ticket in, ticket out system in 300 of its Auckland machines. It gets around the ban on pokies by accepting anything greater than a $20 note. But GamblingWatch co-ordinator Dave MacPherson says the $20 limit was put in place to slow down people's gambling and he claims SkyCity is trying to speed it up again. The Internal Affairs Department is currently looking at the technology. Spokesman Keith Manch says the new law takes a much tougher line on minimising harm from gambling. SkyCity said this week technical problems with the ticketing system had cost it $2.5 million in potential earnings.