Residents’ views on Gambling and TAB Venues Policy sought

The Council is seeking residents’ views on changes to gambling policy as part of its three yearly review of the policy.

Council agreed last night to go ahead with consultation on changes to the Gambling Machines and TAB Venues Policy.

General Manager Environment and Regulatory Services David Rolfe said consultation will start on 7 September and run until 9 October.

“This is a timely opportunity for the public to have a think about what they want out of our gambling policy and what restrictions they think are necessary to reduce gambling harm in our community,” he said.

The current Class 4 Gambling Machines and TAB Venues Policy allows new venues for gaming machines and TABs. However, it restricts them to central city and industrial areas and sets a maximum of nine gaming machines at each venue.

The Council is putting forward three possible options for change:

1. Option one: Keep the status quo.
2. Option two: Increase restrictions. Possibilities include capping the number of venues or machines or prohibiting any new gaming machines or TAB outlets in Porirua.
3. Option three: Reduce restrictions. For example, it could allow new venues to be established outside of the City Centre and Industrial Zones such as in suburban shopping areas.

In 2013 changes in The Gambling (Harm Minimisation) Amendment Act included that Councils must consider amending their policies to include a relocation provision.

A relocation provision means that a current venue could relocate to another part of Porirua, without having to reduce their number of gaming machines. Under the current policy, venues can relocate to the City Centre and Industrial Zones only and can have a maximum of nine machines.

The Council will consult on whether or not to allow relocation, and if relocation is allowed, whether it is just within the existing zones or can be to other locations.

Consultation documents will soon be available on the Council’s website.

ENDS

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