Rangitīkei District Council in New Zealand Takes a Look at Gambling Rules

The Rangitīkei District Council in New Zealand has kicked off a public discussion to examine its Gambling Venue (Class 4) Policy and TAB Venue Policy. These rules, which control how gambling establishments and pokies operate, need to be checked every three years. This ensures they follow national laws and meet what the community wants.

Rangitīkei Council Proposes Retaining Current Gambling Policies, Highlights Community Benefits

The Council wants to keep the current framework for both policies. The Gambling Venue (Class 4) Policy limits the number of EGMs in the district to 58. It allows venues to merge or move under certain conditions. The TAB Venue Policy also limits the setup of standalone TAB betting facilities.

The Council does not suggest big changes. They have made small updates to match new laws. They told residents these updates would not change how they use the policies.

The choice to keep things as they are follows a study showing moderate to high gambling harm in Rangitīkei District. This risk grows due to the district’s population, with 25% being Māori — a group hit harder by gambling problems.

Despite these concerns, the Council highlighted the good things gambling money does for the community. Cash from Class 4 gambling has helped pay for local events, sports teams, and building projects. Some key examples are a $374,000 grant from the Lottery Grants Board to improve Taihape and money to support community events like Marton Market Day.

Rangitīkei Council Seeks Public Input on Gambling Policies and Future Regulations

The Council asks residents to give their thoughts on two main choices for each policy. For the Gambling Venue Policy, people can choose between keeping the current limit on EGMs or using a “sinking lid” approach, which would cut down machine numbers as places shut down. For the TAB Venue Policy, the Council wants to know if people think they should keep banning new stand-alone TAB venues or allow them to open.

Residents can share their ideas until 5:00 p.m. on February 24, 2025. They have options to do this online, by email, by post, or in person at Council offices and community centers. Residents also have the opportunity to ask to speak at hearings planned for March.

The Council stressed how crucial community feedback is in molding these policies. These rules greatly affect the social and economic scene of the Rangitīkei District.

Meanwhile, New Zealand plans to make online gambling legal by 2026. This move aims to control the industry, cut down on black market influence, and keep vulnerable players safe. The proposed rules include limiting online gambling licenses to 15, requiring age checks, and prohibiting ads that target children and young adults. 

Hefty fines await those who break these rules. The government sees this plan as a way to create a safer environment for gambling. It also hopes to tackle issues like problem gambling and the tax money lost to unregulated offshore operators.