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On September 19th
2003, the new Gambling Act came into effect. The purpose of the
Gambling Act is to:
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control gambling
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prevent and minimise harm
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facilitate responsible gambling
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ensure integrity and fairness
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limit opportunities for crime and dishonesty
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ensure that money from gambling benefits the
community
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facilitate community involvement in decisions about
the provision of gambling
The Act also amended the Racing Act 2003.
Following implementation of the Act, the Rodney
District Council, in consultation with the community sought to develop a
policy on ‘Class 4’ gambling under the Gambling Act and ’Board’ venues
under the Racing Act.
Class 4 gambling is gambling:
- That uses or involves a gambling machine (often called ‘pokie
machines’);
- Where the proceeds are distributed for authorised purposes;
- Where no commission is paid to, or received by a person for
conducting the gambling;
- That satisfies relevant game rules.
A ‘Class 4’ venue is a place that conducts Class 4 gambling.
‘Board’ venues are premises owned or leased by the New Zealand Racing
Board where the main business is race or sports betting. Board venues are
one form of T.A.B and are known as standalone T.A.Bs.
The Gambling Venue Policy:
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specifies whether or not Class 4 and Board venues may
be established in its area, and if so, where they may be located; and
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specifies any restrictions on the maximum number of
gaming machines that may be operated at a Class 4 venue.
The Council must assess applications for Class 4 and
Board venue consent against its policy.
The Council is now legally required to address
gambling in the district, and must give particular consideration to the
social impacts of gambling.
In 2003, Rodney District had 39 Class 4 venues and
432 machines, equalling one machine for every 171 residents. While this is
lower than the national average, it is the highest number of machines per
person in the entire Auckland region. There are no Board venues in the
district.
The Council commissioned a social impact assessment
when developing its policy, and found:
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High concentrations of machines are most likely to be
found in areas of high deprivation, low income, older-aged persons and
pacific ethnic populations.
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Of the grants by the six main national gambling
trusts, $1.4 million was distributed in Rodney. Just under 40% goes to
sports and physical activities, and 25% to education.
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85% of problem gamblers identify their primary form
of gambling as gambling machines (including 15% casino machines), 9%
casino tables and 5.1% as track betting.
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Greater accessibility is generally associated with
increased gambling, increased numbers of problem gamblers and increased
community harm.
Other concerns raised by the community and the
gambling industry included host responsibility, problem gambling, access
to gambling machines and the distribution and transparency of community
grant funding.
- To control the growth of gambling in the district while continuing
to provide opportunities for recreational gambling. Community and
industry representatives, and the social impact assessment strongly
suggested that gambling should be controlled at least to some degree.
The evidence indicates that the problems associated with gambling are
more likely to be due to the nature and number of gambling venues,
rather than just gambling machine numbers.
- To prevent and minimise the harm caused by gambling, and in
particular, problem gambling. Minimising the harm caused by gambling is
a significant issue to Rodney communities. Limiting the location of
gambling venues will also assist in preventing and minimising the harm
caused by gambling.
- To facilitate community involvement in decisions about the provision
of gambling. The policy was developed with a public consultation process
to allow community involvement in deciding about gambling provision.
The policy was developed with a public consultation process to allow
community involvement in deciding about gambling provision.
About Class 4 Venues:
- A gambling society requires Council consent to establish a new
venue, keep operating an existing venue if it was licensed after 17
October 2001, or increase its machine numbers.
- No new venues will be allowed to establish in the district unless a
current venue’s licence ceases.
- Venues will be allowed a maximum of six machines (this excludes
venues licensed prior to 19 September 2003 who will be allowed the
number already licensed for, but will be able to increase to six if they
currently have less).
- Class 4 venues may not be closer than 50 metres to a residential
area.
- The primary activity of any venue should not be gambling machines,
or activities designated primarily for family and children. Class 4
venues (excluding Board venues) licensed after 18 October 2001 will
require a liquor license.
About Board Venues:
- There is no restriction on the number of Board venues that may be
established in the Rodney District— (for those without Class 4
machines).
- Board venues that also include Class 4 machines are considered as
Class 4 venues in this policy.
- Board venues must comply with the same locational requirements as
Class 4 venues (being 50 metres away from a residential area), but do
not require a liquor license.
To apply for a Class 4 or Board venue consent, applicants must complete
the appropriate application form, provide relevant information specified
in the policy, and provide the set application fee.
The Gambling Venue Policy will be reviewed two years after its adoption
— that is, in May 2006.
The Council first
established a Draft Gambling Venue Policy. Submissions for the Draft were
invited from the public and following that feedback, the Council made a
decision to adopt the Draft at the
Strategy & Policy Committee meeting held 6 May 2004.
The
Adopted Policy may be downloaded and viewed below. Alternatively it is available for viewing in hardcopy at all
the Council offices and most District libraries.
Please note:
You will need to have
Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view and print
this document.
Gambling Venue Policy  (157k)
For more information on the Gambling Act and other
gambling regulations, contact:
The Department of Internal Affairs
Phone: 09 495 7200
Email: info@dia.govt.nz
Web: www.dia.govt.nz
For applications for a Class 4 or Board venue
consent contact:
Ian Farrell, Environmental Health Manager
Rodney District Council
Phone: 0800 426 5169
Email:
ian.farrell@rodney.govt.nz.
If you are concerned that someone you know may have
gambling-related problems, contact:
The Problem Gambling Foundation
Phone: 0800 664 262
Email: pgf@pgfnz.co.nz
Web: www.pgfnz.co.nz
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