The odds were against it, but local punters have given the thumbs-up to New Zealand's first "Gamble-Free Day" today. The Times-Age spoke to punters enjoying the pokie machines at Stellar, the Horse & Hound and the Kuripuni Sports Bar. They unanimously agreed that the Gamble-Free Day was a good idea. One female punterspoke for everyone when she said: "It's only one day a year." But they were divided on whether pubs should close down their gaming rooms for the day or whether it was up to the individual to stay away. Most punters believed it should be a matter of personal choice. "I think people have had enough rights taken away with the smoking law," another punter said. Trust House community support manager, Craig Thomson, said the trust would not close down the gaming rooms in any of its premises today. "Trust House will not force this issue on any of our customers where they are in control and make an informed choice. "We will support their decision." Mr Thomson said Trust House staff had been trained in problem gambling issues. The trust runs a "self-exclusion" policy whereby people with a gambling problem can voluntarily exclude themselves from its gaming venues. Staff can also help them get counselling. Trust House promoted responsible gambling, Mr Thomson said. The Gamble-Free Day, which is being co-ordinated by former South Wairarapa district councillor and now Hamilton City councillor Dave Macpherson, aims to highlight the problems caused by gambling in New Zealand. Gambling issues lobby group, GamblingWatch, has calculated that the average daily loss on the 24,678 pokie machines in New Zealand exceeds $3.1 million.
