The Problem Gambling Foundation congratulates the Christchurch City Council for retaining its 'sinking lid' policy on pokies.

This means earthquake-affected venues will not be able to transfer their machines to another venue.

Tony Milne, Problem Gambling Foundation National Manager of Public Health based in Christchurch, says the Council has grasped the opportunity to create a better city.

"We congratulate the Council for recognising the harm pokie machines cause in our community.

"The downstream costs of these dangerous products are broken families and broken communities," he says.

Tony Milne says the sinking lid policy means a future with less harm from pokie machines and a better future for the people of Christchurch.