Review of Gambling Venue policy

Consultation closed 13 February 2012

We received 15 submissions to the review of our gambling venue policy. 

Gisborne District Council is required under the Gambling Act 2003 to have a Gambling Venue policy. This policy must be reviewed every 3 years. Gisborne District Council’s policy was last reviewed in 2008 and the sinking lid approach was rolled-over.

The current sinking lid policy means:

• no new venues with gaming machines may establish
• no existing venue may increase the number of gaming machines
• if a Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) licence lapses for a period of more than 6 months at an existing venue, no new territorial authority consent will be issued.

The initial policy adopted in March 2004 was a “capped” policy allowing a maximum of 272 machines in the district. The “sinking lid” policy has been in place since July 2005. In 2008 the number of operating machines was 214 in 15 premises.  There are currently 14 premises operating a total of 210 machines (existing licenses permit a total of 221 machines), one Board Venue (TAB outlet), an additional five TAB facilities as part of a pub or club operation, and 10 NZ Lotteries outlets.

What important matters does the policy contain?

This policy must consider the social impact of gambling within the territorial authority’s district and specify whether or not Class 4 venues and Board venues may be established in the district and, if so, where they may be located.  The objectives of the policy are:

(i) to exercise local influence over the location and extent of Class 4 venues and Board venues
(ii) to control the extent of Class 4 gambling within the Gisborne district in a manner which will prevent and minimise the potential harm caused by gambling, particularly problem gambling
(iii) to reduce the number of gaming machines in the Gisborne district to the extent that Council is empowered by the Gambling Act 2003
(iv) to recover costs where appropriate.

Here's all report to the environment & policy committee Gisborne District Council Gambling Venue Policy Review it includes:

• the draft gambling venue policy
• statement of intent
• statement of proposal
• national gambling expenditure statistics
• Class 4 venues as at September 2011