In a bold move, Suburban Tauranga’s Matua Bar has decided to remove all of its pokie machines, hoping to foster a more welcoming atmosphere for families and the community.

Co-owners April Fletcher and Jeff Hazelwood, who took over the establishment two years ago, initially reduced the number of machines from nine to seven. Now, they’re taking the final step of removing them entirely.

Fletcher expressed her dislike for pokies, believing they hurt the community. “We’re better off having more table space and fun space rather than having these machines in here,” she stated.

The decision comes amid a growing awareness of the harm caused by pokies, particularly in vulnerable communities. Last year, an estimated $38.6 million was lost on these machines in Tauranga alone.

Fletcher noted that Matua’s demographics have shifted towards young families, and the bar’s proximity to a school makes the presence of pokies even more concerning.

New government regulations requiring staff to monitor players and intervene if they show signs of problem gambling have also played a role in the decision. Hazelwood admitted that bar staff are not trained counselors and feel uncomfortable with this responsibility.

The owners are optimistic that removing the pokies will not hurt their business. They believe it will attract customers who were previously put off by the machines.

“A few customers had an issue [with gambling] and wouldn’t come to the bar because they wouldn’t want to be tempted by the machines. So those people will come back,” Fletcher explained.

Regular patrons have also expressed support for the move, seeing it as a positive step towards creating a more family-friendly environment.

The Matua Bar’s decision aligns with recent efforts by the Tauranga City Council to relocate gambling venues away from residential areas and address the issue of gambling harm in the community.

Will someone in Wellington follow this approach?