Scribe: Don't gamble life away as I did

It was't until his partner left him that hip hop artist Scribe - aka Malo Luafutu - knew he had to do something about his gambling.

He was in Wanganui yesterday as part of a nationwide tour promoting the anti-problem gambling Choice Not Chance message. He performed at Majestic Square in the lunch hour, with Kupe and Cullinane College kapa haka group Te Ngakau o te Awa.

Scribe was brought up in Christchurch and all his family gambled. By his 20s he was gambling in several ways, but especially on the pokies. When his partner left with the children he realised he had a problem and his life had become unmanageable: "I was spending so much time away, and I was lying about where I was going."

He said gamblers became secretive.

"It's a very dark place when you're a gambling addict. You feel isolated."

For him, gambling wasn't about the money. He was in demand as a working hip hop artist with successful recordings.

"It's the lights and noises a gambling machine has. It triggers something in your brain. When you win a jackpot it's equivalent to winning a gold medal at the Olympics," he said.

Nothing ever rivalled that initial thrill. But he kept on looking for it, even pawning some of his platinum music awards.

He rang the gambling help line, 0800 654 655. An "awesome" lady put him in touch with a counsellor who listened without judgment. It was still a battle not to gamble, but he had support, and didn't spend as much time near pokie venues.

He's now on a crusade to prevent young people starting problem gambling. Part of that is a competition for best poem, song, rap or story. Wanganui Maori problem gambling co-ordinator Jamie Procter said entries had closed and there were at least two Wanganui finalists. Voting is on now at the website www.scribewithme.co.nz

The next Gamble Free Day activity in Wanganui is a movie night at the Nga Tai o te Awa offices, 142 Guyton St, 6.30pm, Friday.