MEDIA RELEASE

17 March 2004

112 submissions received on gambling policy

Auckland City has received 112 submissions on its draft gambling venue policy that limits the number of electronic gambling machines, commonly referred to as pokies.

Chairperson of Auckland City’s City Development Committee, Councillor Juliet Yates, says she is delighted with the public’s response to the council’s request for feedback on this important issue.

“We will do our best to ensure the opinions of our communities are heard,” she says.

Submissions to the draft gambling venue policy closed yesterday.

The oral hearings will be held in the week beginning 5 April 2004. All submitters will be sent a notification letter advising the details of the hearing. The hearing is open to the public so anyone can attend. Only those who made a submission can speak at the hearing.

The final decisions on the policy will be made at the City Development Committee meeting on 12 May 2004.

The draft gambling venue policy restricts the number of class four gaming machines in the city to the status quo and requires any new venues or venues licensed after 17 October 2001 to be located in certain parts of the central city. Class four gambling is defined as any activity that involves the use of a gaming machine outside a casino.

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