From now on, Tauranga will only see the number of poker machines decline.
Yesterday, Tauranga City Council issued a decision to adopt a so-called “sinking lid” policy, under which no new gambling machines or venues are to be approved. The policy is set to be brought into action on March 14th.
The local authorities made a decision to deploy the policy in a way that would guarantee a gradual decline of gambling options in the city in order to minimise the negative impact these venues and machines could have on players. Tauranga City Council revealed that the existing gambling venues will be given the opportunity to relocate their operations under certain conditions, especially when it comes to the most deprived areas of the city.
Under the existing rules defined by a national index, gambling venues are required to be located at least 100 metres from residential areas affected by high social deprivation. The most recent index has included Yatton Park and Matapihi in the list of the most deprived areas in the city.
The members of Tauranga City Council had a discussion on the possible effects which a sinking lid policy would have brought to the existing gambling market. During the discussions, the councillors also noted that they could hardly do anything about online gambling for the time being.
Sinking Lid Opponents Say Measure Could Reduce Gambling Businesses Contribution
As Casino Guardian reported in mid-October, Tauranga City Council proposed the “sinking lid” policy as the first step towards the elimination of pokies in the city. As a result, public consultations on the Gambling Venues Policy 2019 were held on the Council’s website from October 15th to November 16th, 2018.
As a result of the survey, 63% of local taxpayers voted in favour of the “sinking lid” policy. The measure was also backed by former problem gamblers and professional services aimed at helping gambling addicts. As mentioned above, the City Council was willing to impose a measure that would help it tackle the rising gambling addiction rates and gambling-related harm inflicted on communities, especially in more disadvantaged areas.
Of course, the “sinking lid” policy faced opposition, too. A number of community, social and sporting groups said they were against the measure, as they feared that the limitations which are to be imposed on gambling operations in the area would result in a reduction in funding received from such businesses. Under the existing gambling laws, gambling operators are required to contribute a certain part of their revenue to the community.
The new “sinking lid” policy is set to be reviewed in three years, and its impact on Tauranga community organisations to be assessed, too. In addition, the City Council is set to once again take into consideration the policy regarding new gambling venues addition in growth areas such as Tauriko and Te Tumu in Pāpāmoa.
- Author
Daniel Williams
