Proposed new gambling venue policy for city

Sinking lid strategy: Auckland City Council aims to control the growth of gambling and minimise the harm caused by gambling.

From City Scene, published on 13 September, 2009.

Auckland City Council is considering some changes to its gambling venue policy.

The current policy means class 4 gambling venues cannot move - despite some venues being rundown, located in clusters and in high deprivation areas. The proposed new policy would amend the existing "sinking lid", to a "sinking lid" that also allows relocations of machines in limited circumstances.

Councillor Paul Goldsmith, chairperson of the Community Services Committee, says the "sinking lid" policy was introduced in 2004 because of real community concerns about problem gambling and pokie machines.

"The council's new draft gambling venue policy aims to help minimise gambling-related harm by continuing to reduce the number of gambling machines in the city, and by allowing venues and gambling machines to be relocated out of clusters and areas of high deprivation.

"We believe the proposed new policy, on which we are seeking public input, is a more flexible, common sense approach."

The council has already been through an extensive process to develop the draft policy.

This included a review of the existing policy, consideration of alternative options and undertaking research on gambling in Auckland city, the Auckland region and New Zealand. Consultation with gambling groups, health providers, corporate societies, NZRB, business and shopping associations and community boards was also undertaken.

The new approach will be referred to council this month and if endorsed, will go out for a month-long period of public consultation from 5 October to 5 November. The public will also have a chance to give a verbal submission to a hearings panel in November. The panel is expected to recommend a final policy to the council by March 2010.

What the new draft policy says

The new draft policy will not consent to any increase in venue or machine numbers, but would allow the council to consider consenting to a "new" class 4 or NZRB venue - as long as it replaces an existing venue.

New class 4 venues would need to:

operate fewer machines than the previous one
not be set up in a high deprivation area
not be on council-owned land
not be within 100m of an existing class 4 venue
not be within 100m of a school, early childhood centre, kindergarten, place of worship or community facility.

New NZRB venues would need to:

not be on council-owned land
not be within 500m of any physical TAB betting services
not be within 100m of a school, early childhood centre, kindergarten, place of worship or community facility.

Terms

New class 4 gambling

Any activity that involves the use of an electronic gambling machine outside a casino (such as pokie machines in bars, clubs ands sports bars).

NZRB venues

Are commonly known as TABs.

Sinking lid

Means that Auckland City Council will not consent to any new class 4 gambling or NZRB venues, or any increase in the number of class 4 gaming machines operating in the city.