23 February 2012
Council retains existing pokie machines policy
Christchurch City Council will retain its existing “sinking lid” policy on gambling venues and “pokie” machines across
the city.
The Council today completed an early review of its Gambling Venue Policy and decided to continue with the existing
policy, which aims to minimise harm from gambling. Councillors agreed that retaining the current “sinking lid” policy
was the best way to achieve this.
The Policy was due to be reviewed by the end of August 2012; however with 36 gambling venues affected by earthquake
damage, 21 of which remain closed, the Council decided to review the policy earlier than required by legislation.
A number of venue operators had indicated they were interested in relocating following the effects of the earthquakes on
class 4 (Gambling on Non-Casino Gaming (pokie) Machines) gambling venues in the city, something the Council’s policy
does not allow.
Last reviewed in 2009, the Policy is a “sinking lid” policy. It aims to progressively reduce the opportunities gambling
on non-casino gaming machines – or “pokie” machines” – in Christchurch by attrition. It does not allow any increase in
class 4 gaming venues or class 4 machine numbers, except in a specific circumstance where two or more corporate
societies are merging.
The Council noted the spike in gambling expenditure after the earthquakes, despite the reduced number of venues and
machines available.
ENDS