Media release
24 July 2013

New policies aim to restrict growth of gambling

Auckland Council is looking to restrict the growth of gambling as well as minimising the harm from problem gambling through two new venue policies adopted today.

The Regional Operations and Development Committee have adopted the Auckland Council Class 4 Gambling (Pokie) Venue and Racing Board (TAB) Venue policies – which become effective immediately.

“These two policies replace those of seven of Auckland’s former councils and give us a pair of regionally consistent policies,” says hearing panel chairperson, Cr Noelene Raffills.

“I want to acknowledge all those who made submissions and who gave their time to come and talk to our panel in person.  In many cases this took a lot of courage, and we are very grateful for this input.”

The Auckland Plan also outlines the need to minimise gambling-related harm and these policies are one tangible way to start that process.

From today the council has a sinking lid approach to Class 4 venues, which means when one closes consent will not be granted for new venues. They also won’t be able to relocate from one area to another.

The Class 4 venue policy will also restrict the number of machines allowed when two or more club venues merge their operations.

The number of NZ Racing Board venues – stand alone TABs – will be capped at 43 and when one venue closes its replacement  cannot be located within 50 metres of a church or other places of worship, marae, school or early childhood education centre.

Both policies will be reviewed three years.

Cr Raffills says among the more than 10,000 submissions received there were many  suggestions about how Class 4 gambling in particular, could be better regulated and managed.

“Unfortunately current legislation means councils’ regulatory powers are very limited but I want to assure people we have heard what they have told us.”

She says there was a very clear message that more needs to be done and the panel heard a lot of good ideas about what council, the government and the gambling sector might do to reduce gambling harm, additional to the policies it is required to make by law.

All councils are required by the Gambling Act and The Racing Act to have policies on whether allow new Class 4 or NZ Racing Board venues to be established in their area.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

New Court Orders, Screening, Guardianship Changes...: Government Ignoring Poverty, Again

It remains to be seen if announcements today will better protect children, but the National Government is forgoing an opportunity to really help kids by ignoring the elephant in the room, which is poverty, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei says.

"All the experts have told the Government that very low income is associated with higher rates of child maltreatment and neglect -- something which was totally ignored in the Government's Children's Action Plan and the announcements today," Mrs Turei said. More>>