Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Problem gambling levy introduced

2 September 2004

Problem gambling levy introduced

A problem gambling levy aimed at addressing harm associated with gamblers’ losses, will apply on pub and club gaming machine, casino, TAB and Lotteries Commission profits from 1 October.

Internal Affairs Minister, George Hawkins, and Associate Health Minister, Damien O’Connor said the regulations include the first problem gambling levy set under the Gambling Act and specific harm minimisation provisions for gambling operators.

Mr Hawkins said the levy was set at various rates for different forms of gambling to reflect the amount of money lost and the level of associated harm.

The rates (GST exclusive) are:

- gaming machines in pubs and clubs, 1.11% of operators’ gross profits
- casinos, 0.51%
- New Zealand Racing Board (i.e. racing, TAB and sports betting), 0.57%
- New Zealand Lotteries Commission, 0.14%.

Mr Hawkins said the Ministry of Health assumed responsibility for funding and coordinating problem gambling services in July and developed an integrated strategy for problem gambling, which includes funding problem gambling services. The cost of delivering the strategy will be reimbursed by the levy.

Mr O'Connor said the Health Ministry would work with Internal Affairs, gambling operators, problem gambling service providers, community groups and other government agencies to prevent and minimise gambling harm and to keep up with changes in the sector.

The Health Ministry will spend a total of $54.5 million over the next three years managing and delivering a strategy that includes primary (public health), secondary and tertiary (interventions) services, as well as research and workforce development, Mr O'Connor said.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Gamblers losses in the year to 30 June 2003 were $1.87 billion up, 12 percent on previous year, with losses for 2004,estimated to top more than $2 billion.

Regulations will also be introduced to minimise harm from gambling and will apply to gaming machines in pubs and clubs, stand-alone TABs not part of pubs, and casinos.

These regulations will include:

- A definition of unsuitable venues for gaming machines that will mean some venues will no longer be able to host gaming machines. These are venues that are not focused on entertainment or leisure for adults (people over 18 years).
- A ban on automatic teller machines in TABs and the gambling areas of pubs, clubs and casinos.
- A prohibition on advertising and displaying gaming machine jackpots in a way that they can be seen outside the venue.
- Requirements for gaming machines to automatically stop and ask gamblers if they wish to continue gambling or to have their credits paid out.
- Rules for signs in venues.
- Requirements for venue staff to be given problem gambling awareness training.

Copies of the regulations will be available on www.legislation.govt.nz and from bookstores that sell legislation.

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.