Don't bet on it, Prime Minister

    Having connived in Bev’s betting spree at the Dargaville Races last Friday I guess I am not the person to make a comment on the shabby deal cooked up by our Prime Minister with Sky City Casinos.

    But, given the demonstrable social cost of gambling, I hope that the growing dissatisfaction with this deal continues and that the PM will take some notice of it. Swapping the development of a free Convention Centre in exchange for a law change to grossly extend gambling facilities is an inept way to promote development.

    We had a great day at the races. It’s a really informal event and on all sides people were enjoying themselves with picnics in the sun. It was school holidays and there were lots of children. Bev took $25 (“to play with” she said) and laid out $1 bets in all directions on every race. She came home with $25.80 so she had a great day.

    But, given the operating costs and the tax take, some other punters obviously contributed to her profit and, that’s what I find morally unsatisfactory about it. At the end of the day, somebody has to pay the price.

    The price for a flash new Convention Centre may be more than the people of our small country can afford. The PM should think again about how to pay for it.
    I’ll ask Bev to contribute her profit on her day’s outing.