Gambling Controls Out For Comment
New national regulations mean much of the Council policy is no longer necessary.
People can say whether they agree with a Council proposal that any premises with a Sale of Liquor Licence and designated area can become a gaming machine venue by making submissions to the Gaming Venues and TAB policy — out for public comment until 28 July.
The Council will make a decision on any change later in the year, after considering any feedback from the public.
The change the Council prefers (option C below) would be to change its policy so that the sector is managed by market demand and the Government’s national regulations on harm minimisation and prevention. The Council would continue to regulate location by restricting gaming machines to premises licensed under the Sale of Liquor Act.
Councillors heard in April that new national regulations — introduced since the Council adopted its 2004 policy — mean much of the Council policy is no longer necessary. The national rules have helped change how the industry operates and the existing Council policy has created difficulties for the industry in the light of these changes.
Three options are being consulted on:
A. Status quo – retain the current council policy framework, without taking into account the new regulations
B. Have the Council policy set an upper limit on the number of machines, and venues with machines, as well as the national regulations, or
C. Permit only premises with a Sale of Liquor Licence and designated areas for machines to be venues for gambling machines. Such premises are controlled for environmental effects under the provisions of District Plans, and for hours of operation under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.
- The Statement of Proposal for the Gaming Venues and TAB Policy is available from the Civic Offices, libraries and service centres and on-line at www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay
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