State and Federal governments in Australia have already been warned that they are becoming too dependent on gambling taxes, and are in danger of having to actively promote gaming in order to maintain their revenues. In New Zealand it is the turn of Education.

The New Zealand Gambling Act of 2003 is due to come into force and this will significantly reduce the income from gaming machines. The Act replaces the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1977 and the Casino Control Act 1990, to give one regulatory framework for gambling in New Zealand, and was originally introduced to Parliament as the Responsible Gambling Bill.

Schools in the country may lose millions of dollars in funding after having been used to receiving substantial grants from trusts and foundations supported by gaming profits. The Charity Gaming Association have said that in the three months to September 30 their figures show that some 700 schools had received NZ$3.8 million in grants and aid.

The Department of Education has been called upon to increase funding for schools, described as being woefully inadequate at present. Without the gaming funds most schools would have to limit the educational opportunities and extra-curricula activities that they have been able to offer with financial support from the foundations. Sports and cultural activities are expected to be the first things affected.

Schools have also been accustomed to income from fee-paying foreign students, but numbers have been dropping. The combined effect of less fee-paying students together with much less assistance from the gaming trusts will mean that schools are under huge financial pressure, and may not be able to balance their books.

© Copyright 2004 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage