Council moves to reduce pokie machines

TCDC adopts ‘sinking lid’ policy on gambling machines.

 

Gambling machines around the peninsula will be reduced in number over time under a new ‘sinking lid’ policy adopted by Thames-Coromandel District Council.

 

The move follows a review of the Council’s gambling policy and input from communities and individuals on the number of authorised pokie machines in the district.

 

Some 340 submissions were received and after hearing submissions, the Council deliberated the issue and identified that a sinking lid policy was the most appropriate course of action at this stage. Council also resolved that a social impact assessment would be carried out before the next review of the policy.

 

A sinking lid policy will mean that Council will not give consent to any application for a new class 4 venue and it will also not give consent for any further gaming machines (pokies) to be placed in existing venues. It is anticipated that over time this will lead to a reduction in the number of machines in the district.

 

There are currently 349 pokies authorised in the Thames-Coromandel district across 32 licensed venues. In 2007 Thames-Coromandel district led the country for the highest number of gaming machines and the second highest amount spent on them per head of population.