Problem gambling no trivial matter

Our story on the infrastructure and machinations of operating gambling machines causes me to reflect on whether there is "good" gambling and "bad" gambling.

There are some, like me, who would like to think there's an element of Ian Fleming glamour and class in visiting a casino and playing blackjack or poker to whatever limit you imposed on yourself.

At least, that's what I remember doing in Christchurch once or twice, long before the earthquake.

The reality is, whether you're at an established casino pretending to be James Bond, or tucked away with the pokie machines in a Porirua East tavern, you are going to come across people who definitely should not be there.

Many may not literally have a "problem gambling" bug, but they are a long way from being any kind of high roller.

I bring up Porirua because, when I started out reporting for Porirua News, establishment of pokie machines was a controversial issue in a city already dealing with poverty.

The links between pokie machines and problem gambling were more in your face.

Yet it was undeniable the local trusts used that gambling revenue to grant thousands of dollars to worthy causes. Inevitably reporters found themselves covering cheque handovers, photographing smiling kids and coaches with new sports equipment.

I once suggested, among my peers at a journalism conference, whether it would be worth boycotting any story that involved a grant originating from gambling revenue.

The idea was utterly rejected as naive.

True, it was too absolute.

But it is worth reflecting on the reasons why there is so much money to hand over to sports clubs, associations and schools.

The number one priority for a pokie machine is to make money for the owner and they are very good at doing that.

Grants are a requirement of law.

But is Wairarapa a community where problem gambling is considered a minor detail?