The proposal of the Dunedin City Council for gradual reduction of the gambling venues’ number in the city has won a lot of support from most of local submitters. Previously, certain changes to the gambling and TAB venue policy have been proposed by the Dunedin City Council.
A hearing on the matter is planned to take place in February.
If an amendment is implemented in the afore-mentioned policy, it would extend the policy of South Dunedin of lowering staff numbers by not replacing the workers who have resigned or retired from poker machines venues in the city. The proposed policy that could be taken up by the City Council would also see new gambling venues suspended in Dunedin, while the already existing ones would not be given a permission to move to another location.
Back in 2013, when the last review of the Gambling and TAB policy was made, South Dunedin took up the so-called sinking lid policy. At the time, an official limit for the number of gambling venues and poker machines, respectively, was imposed.
According to a report to the Planning and Environment Committee of the Council, a 21% decline was registered in the number of machines in the region of South Dunedin, while in the rest of the city the decline amounted to 16%. Still, the local residents’ spending on gambling activities in the city had increased. The expenditures’ amount in 2015 equalled to NZ$16.4 million, while in 2016 they amounted to NZ$16.6 million.
Back in 2016, the authorities held a public consultation following councillors’ vote to consult for imposing the so-called sinking lid policy over the city of Dunedin. A total of 56 submissions were received, with 35 of them in favour of the policy’s extension across the city. They also supported the suspension of local gambling venues preventing them from relocating.
Seven submitters said they preferred no limits to be imposed on the number of gambling venues and on the gambling machines in the city. In addition, they did not back the relocation ban that could be imposed on the venues. Twelve submissions supported the current Gambling and TAB Venue Policy, while the last two submissions made backed none of the three existing options.
Current Gambling and TAB Venue Policy
The Gambling Act of the country requires from local councils to have a gambling policy. However, it is the Department of Internal Affairs which bears the responsibility for making decision whether to grant or refuse a gambling licence.
The Council adopted the current Gambling and TAB Venue Policy in August 2013. At the time when the policy was taken up by the Council, the number of gambling venues of Class 4 as well as the gaming machines situated at those venues, was falling. In spite of that, the local government authority was still aimed at preventing and reducing the possible harm inflicted by gambling to the community an its members.
As far as permission for new venues is concerned, the current Gambling and TAB Venue Policy is limited by the Gambling Act of 2003. The number of gambling machines that could be located at new venues in the district may also be limited by the piece of legislation.
At the time when the current Gambling and TAB Venue Policy was adopted, it was aimed to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm that could be inflicted to community. In addition the Policy was supposed to make sure that its provisions properly reflect the Council’s and the community’s point of view. Last but not least, the Policy was aimed at ensuring a safe and responsible gambling environment for everyone who would like to become part of Class 4 gambling in the community.
- Author
Daniel Williams
