Macindoe Tim: Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2) — Second Reading 
Macindoe Tim: Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2) — Second Reading 
[Volume:654;Page:3131] 
TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West) 
: 
 It is a sad irony that just a few moments before rising to take this call I learnt of the death of one of my most distinguished constituents. Retired Hamilton lawyer Mr Athol Bishop passed away today. The reason I mention that in the context of this debate apart from the fact that he was a man who did great work in our community and who gave great service to his profession is that I think of Athol at the races at Te Rapa. He was a very enthusiastic member of the Waikato Racing Club and a man who always behaved with great dignity and decorum but who loved a flutter. I mourn his passing and I send my condolences to his family. 
I have no doubt that Athol would be strongly in support of the Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2) which we are debating tonight. For most members of our society gambling is an occasional affordable and pleasurable activity. A day at the races is a great social occasion as it always was for Athol but it is such only for those who set out knowing what they can afford to lose and who have the self-discipline to stick to their limits. An occasional deposit in a pokie machine is a bit of light relief and merely a momentary indulgence and that is as it should be. That is how it is for most of us most of the time. But it is sobering to reflect on the fact that right around our country as we consider the second reading of the Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2) in this House tonight people who can ill afford to waste their money are doing just that because of their addiction to lotteries pokie machines scratch cards the lure of the TAB or long hours spent in a casino. 
Problem gambling is a significant and very distressing form of addiction. It can be catastrophic for families and personal relationships. It can lead to friction in the home the neglect of children conflict and dishonesty in workplaces and a loss of life-savings and self-worth. The distressing consequences of this problem are reflected in some sobering statistics associated with other forms of addiction—and members on all sides of the House have drawn attention to some of these tonight—including mental illness family breakdowns and sometimes even suicide. So it is right that we do all we can in this House to minimise the risk of harm from such an insidious addiction. It is for that reason that I commend the past and present Ministers of Internal Affairs and the Government Administration Committee for the good work they have done in updating the original Gambling Act in focusing on a number of issues that have arisen since the Act took effect nearly 5 years ago and in furthering the important objective of minimising the considerable harm that some in our communities suffer as a result of their own gambling or that of a close family member.  
As my colleague from Otago noted this bill is a practical measure designed to achieve effective interventions in those areas where problem gambling is most likely to occur. As technology is constantly updated and new gambling opportunities are devised it is important for legislation to keep pace with evolving trends. To a large extent this bill as many members have commented is of a technical nature designed to amend the principal Act so that it may operate as it was originally intended. That is among the reasons why the select committee has recommended a new definition of a “gaming machine”. It was also necessary to ensure that the definition of “gaming machine” did not unintentionally capture equipment associated with gambling that does not need to be regulated as such such as electronic card shufflers. 
Those in my city of Hamilton who do sterling work to tackle problem gambling and to support those who suffer from it will welcome the amendments in this gambling bill that require licence holders and casino operators to keep a record of every person who is excluded from their venues and to provide that information upon request to appropriate authorities—not to cause shame or humiliation but to assist problem gamblers to break their serious and calamitous habits. It is appropriate that those who obtain licences to operate gambling establishments and those who are employed in those establishments should be required to exercise responsibility and effective monitoring of those who come to gamble on their premises especially those who do so on a regular basis. And I am sure that all of us at times have seen pictures of such misery—for that is what it is. For that reason it is also appropriate and necessary that the people who work in gaming venues and casinos should be carefully vetted. They must be up to the job they must be responsible in the way they conduct their activities and duties and they must be empowered to take effective steps to intervene when it is obvious that their patrons are doing themselves and their dependants considerable harm. This bill sets out those expectations. It allows for regulation of the collection of important information around the gaming industry: the people the money and the organisations involved. 
We can never hope to protect all of our citizens from all of the afflictions and temptations that can lead them down the path to serious harm but as my colleague Dr Jackie Blue recounted the problems arising from gambling can have particularly tragic effects. It is often innocent family members who suffer the most. The link between problem gambling and domestic violence cannot be ignored. This bill is not about sitting in judgment or removing the obligation for people to exercise personal responsibility for their actions but rather is about minimisation of harm and protection of the highly vulnerable. 
As I am the final speaker in this debate I acknowledge the thoughtful contributions to this debate tonight from members of all parties. As Mr Garrett commented it is refreshing to take part in a debate that is characterised by common sense consensus and compassion. Those were not Mr Garrett’s exact words but I am sure he will recognise the spirit of them and readily agree to them. The clear expression of collective will that the passage of this bill will send out to our communities will give heart to those who do such important work to tackle problem gambling and it will strengthen the arm of responsible gaming operators and their employees everywhere. 
There is no question that many clubs community groups and charitable organisations depend heavily upon the proceeds of gambling in the form of grants to conduct their activities and to do much good work for a myriad of causes. In my career before I came to this House I was the chief executive of a trust that depended heavily on money from those sources so I appreciate that the money is often put to very good use and that it is absolutely essential for much that is good in our communities to happen. But I am sure that almost all of the office holders and grant administrators will welcome the extra safeguards that are built into this amendment bill. Those groups exist to do good works and I am confident they will share the sentiments that have been so widely expressed during this debate. Nobody working in those areas wants to see others come to great harm as a result of gambling. 
Gambling is a serious issue. It is a major problem for a small but significant group of our population right around the country. I commend everybody who has worked on this bill in order to try to minimise the harm that gambling can do. I thank those who have spent long hours at select committee meetings working to bring about improvements to the bill. I have pleasure in supporting it and I commend it to the House. 
Bill read a second time.