'It's really wrong' - gambling venues preying on vulnerable, says Dr Lance O'Sullivan

December 8, 2017

A mega gambling venue planned for Tokoroa could get even bigger as three outlets are set to merge.

A mega gambling venue planned for Tokoroa could get even bigger as three outlets are set to merge, meaning 30 pokie machines in one place.

It is also possible TAB facilities will be added when the Pockets 8 Ball Club's Shotz outlet, The Olde Establishment, and the Putaruru District Services Memorial Club join forces. 

Some have labeled the new venue predatory, with Dr Lance O'Sullivan one of them. 

"We see the product of children living in deprivation... literally on a daily basis I am seeing products of poverty-related disease," he told TVNZ 1's Breakfast. 

"To know there is something as complicit in this being supported by the council... I think it's really wrong."

He said these type of outlets are preying on a vulnerable community.

"I'm not saying putting the odd bet on the All Blacks isn't something people shouldn't enjoy now and then."

"What we've got here is someone sitting for eight hours on their own in a poorly lit room putting money they can ill-afford into machines."

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