The council is consulting on its Draft Gambling Venue (Class 4) Policy and TAB Venue Policy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
New Zealand.- The Rangit\u012bkei district council<\/strong> has initiated a review of its Draft Gambling Venue (Class 4) Policy and TAB Venue Policy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>. The current TAB venue policy does not allow stand-alone TAB venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 Rangit\u012bkei. The impact of harmful gambling in the Rangit\u012bkei is considered to be medium-high. This means residents could be more likely to be exposed to harmful gambling than the average New Zealander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “However, a significant proportion of revenue generated from gambling is funnelled back into the Rangit\u012bkei community through grants and funding, which is used to support events, sports clubs, and other community projects.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In December, the government\u00a0announced that it would pass under urgency the\u00a0Racing Industry (Unlawful Destruction of Specified Greyhounds) Amendment Bill<\/strong>\u00a0to 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n