Government will not licence any more casinos

No more casinos will be allowed to open in New Zealand, the Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins announced today.

Mr Hawkins told a problem gambling conference in Auckland this morning the Government will not license casinos beyond those already operating in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown.

Mr Hawkins told the conference problem gambling was a serious health issue and the Government had decided that prevention and treatment services should be co-ordinated by the Ministry of Health.

Mr Hawkins told the conference the Government would keep the Lotteries Commission in public ownership, and it would continue generating funds for community projects.

More than 550 delegates from New Zealand and around the world are attending the conference.