Anti-pokies campaigners bid to stop doubling of machines in two Alice Springs pubs

The NT government acknowledges that Aboriginal gamblers are more likely to experience problem gambling but still approved the new machines. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian

A Northern Territory government decision to approve a doubling of the number of gaming machines in two Alice Springs pubs will be contested by local anti-pokies campaigners who are concerned the move would further exacerbate social problems.

The challenge to the decisions made by the director of gaming machines, Philip Timney, to expand the number of pokies from 10 to 20 at both the Todd Tavern and Gap View Hotel will be heard in the NT civil and administrative tribunal on Friday.