New Zealand’s Rangitīkei district reviews gambling policies

The council is consulting on its Draft Gambling Venue (Class 4) Policy and TAB Venue Policy. 

New Zealand.- The Rangitīkei district council has initiated a review of its Draft Gambling Venue (Class 4) Policy and TAB Venue Policy.

It intends to maintain the current rules on class 4 gambling venues, which cap electronic gaming machines at 58, but there is an option of a sinking lid policy on the table, as introduced in other districts. The current TAB venue policy does not allow stand-alone TAB venues.

The council said: “Council reached their preferred options following the receiving of a social impact Assessment on the impacts that gambling has on residents in Rangitīkei. The impact of harmful gambling in the Rangitīkei is considered to be medium-high. This means residents could be more likely to be exposed to harmful gambling than the average New Zealander.

“However, a significant proportion of revenue generated from gambling is funnelled back into the Rangitīkei community through grants and funding, which is used to support events, sports clubs, and other community projects.”

Every council in New Zealand must have a policy on Class 4 gambling venues, as required by the Gambling Act 2003, and TAB venues, under the Racing Industry Act 2020. Both must be reviewed every three years.

In December, the government announced that it would pass under urgency the Racing Industry (Unlawful Destruction of Specified Greyhounds) Amendment Bill to ban greyhound racing in the country on the grounds of animal welfare. A transition period of 20 months would be given to allow time to find homes for racing dogs and help those involved in the industry.

Deputy prime minister and racing minister Winston Peters said the injury rate among racing dogs remains too high and that “the time has come to make a call in the best interest of the animals.”