GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS WITH THREE GAMBLING GROUPS TO BE AXED
The Government is to scrap its contracts with some problem gambling
organisations and reduce funding to others, after reviewing the services
they provide. The Ministry of Health launched a review of 12 organisations
deemed high risk in October. It came after National Party MP Sandra Goudie
claimed some were being overpaid, including one Hamilton service which was
paid $143,000 to counsel 300 gamblers but treated only eight. Associate
Health Minister Damien O'Connor told Parliament on Wednesday that three
organisations will have their contracts terminated. Of the remaining nine,
four will have their funding reduced and all will be monitored on a monthly
basis. He says the Government is negotiating for some repayments from the
organisations. Mr O'Connor says the names of the organisations involved will
be made public after he receives a final report next month.
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