Casino fears aired

Press, 23 February 1989, Page 7

Casino fears aired

By

PAM MORTON

Concerns that casinos in New Zealand would breed a new form of gambler and lead to a breakdown in family life were aired at a public meeting in Christchurch last evening.

About 100 people attended the Canterbury Promotion Council’s meeting which was opened to the public so the pros and cons of a casino in Christchurch could be discussed. One man said he was concerned that the introduction of casinos would lead to the development of a whole new group of gamblers, which in turn would affect a lot of families.

“My concern is for the families of compulsive gamblers,” he said. A member of the group People Against Casinos expressed concern at what would happen to outlying areas, such as Timaru, if all the tourism was centred in Christchurch. A casino in Christchurch could kill off tourism in other centres and destroy their industry, he said. One of three speakers at the meeting, Ms Linda Constable, a member of the national Committee of Inquiry into

Casinos in New Zealand, said there were a lot of myths and misconceptions about casinos.

"Most people have a 1930 s Mafia view which is not relevant today,” she said.

The advent of casinos would not mean a rise in organised crime in New Zealand, said Ms Constable.

“Casinos can be controlled. We do not have the level of organised crime that exists overseas.”

Other speakers at the meeting were Mrs Jenny Richardson, the national convener of the Council of Churches committee on social concerns, and Mr Barry Rozynski, chairman of the accommodation council of the Canterbury Hotel Association. Mrs Richardson said she had received many letters from churchwomen opposed to casinos.

Casinos, if they were to be introduced, should have an age limit of 20 for people working and gambling in the casino, she said. Strict controls were needed, and if casinos were going to open on Sunday then they should be restricted to evenings only.