Class 4 Gaming Venues and Racing Board Venues Policy Review

Overview

The Marlborough District Council (Council) want to hear your thoughts on its proposed Gambling Venue and TAB venue policies.  Under the relevant legislation (Gambling Act 2003 and Racing Industry Act 2020) Council are required to review both Policies every three years.

Under the Gambling Act 2003 and the Racing Industry Act 2020, Territorial Authorities can approve consents for Class 4 (pokie machines) gambling venues and standalone racing (TAB) venues. Both Acts require Territorial Authorities to have a policy that guides if, where and how many Class 4 and TAB venues and machines may be establishes in the district.

When reviewing these Policies, we must consider the social impacts of gambling in our community. That is why your feedback is needed – it is crucial that or community have input to let us know what you think, and if we are on the right track.

In summary, the number of Class 4 gaming venues in the district has decreased since 2016 from 20 venues to 12, with the number of gaming machines also decreasing from 249 to 165 as of January 2023. There are no standalone TAB venues in the district.

Recent Gaming Machine Statistics released by the Department of Internal Affairs shows that while a 40% decrease in venues and 33.7% decrease in gaming machines in the District from March 2015 to December 2022, the quarterly gaming machine profits have increased by 33% in the same period.

The level of reported harm (problem gambling referrals) remains low, however anecdotal evidence received from the community indicates that there may be harm occurring as a result of Class 4 gambling in the community.  

Council has considered the proposed changes along with other options and resolved to support the proposed changes highlighted in option one, subject to a special consultative procedure.

The special consultative procedure gives the public an opportunity to make submissions and provide feedback on the proposed fees.  Once the submission period closes, hearings will be conducted if people indicate they want to speak in support of their submissions.

This statement of proposal has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of section 83 of the Local Government Act 2002.

Why your views matter

The policy determines whether Class 4 and standalone TAB venues can be established in the district and, if so, where they can be located. Through these controls, the policy aims to minimise harm to the community caused by this type of gambling while allowing for it as a provision for funding given out to the community from proceeds.

Class 4 gambling is defined as gambling that involves a gaming machine (also known as pokies) and legislated under the Gambling Act 2003. The machines are run by societies or clubs and a proportion of the net proceeds are required to be distributed to the community, or to a club’s approved purposes.

TAB venues are legislated for under the Racing Industry Act 2020. Council only has jurisdiction over numbers and locations of standalone TAB venues, not TAB outlets or agencies.

In reviewing the policy, a territorial authority may have regard to the social impact of gambling within the territorial authority district (positive and negative impacts).

In determining its policy on whether class 4 venues and standalone TAB venues may be established in the territorial authority district, where any venue may be located, and any restrictions on the maximum number of gaming machines that may be operated at venues, the territorial authority may have regard to any relevant matters, including;

• characteristics of the district and parts of the district.
• location of kindergartens, early childhood centres, schools, places of worship, and other community facilities.
• the number of gaming machines that should be permitted to operate at any venue or class of venue.
• the cumulative effects of additional opportunities for gambling in the district.
• how close any venue should be permitted to be to any other venue.
• what the primary activity at the venue should be.
• a relocation policy.

It may consider other matters that are relevant.

Council may prescribe fees with a sole purpose of the charge to recover reasonable costs incurred by the local authority in respect of the activity to which the charge relates.

Final Draft Gambling Venue Policy 2023(PDF,60KB)

Gambling Venue Policy Review Statement of Proposal (PDF,140KB)