Rugby Club in New Zealand Turning Away Gambling Cash From Pokies

An Auckland rugby league club has put down their foot when it comes to gambling money. The club will no longer accept money from pokie trusts.

The move is a landmark decision by Mt Wellington Rugby Club. It is not known whether other clubs have turned away the money, but the consensus is that this is the first club to do so.

"That would be the first club I'm aware of that has taken that stance, and not just in rugby league. I don't think you would find any club in any sport that would say no to a gambling grant," said Peter Cordtz, General Manager of NZ Rugby League.

The club decided to turn away the money after finding out that several players had missed games due to their parents losing money to pokies. The move will surely be one that could set a trend in sports.

Sports have long tried to distance themselves from associating with any form of gambling. The money that comes in from pokie trusts, however, is hard to turn down.

While Mt Wellington has never allowed pokies in their locker rooms, they have received various perks from pokie donations. Last year, they bought new club jerseys with money that was donated from the Lion Foundation.

March 30, 2008
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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