Sinking lid policy stays for pokies in Kaipara

Kaipara District Council will continue its ‘sinking lid’ policy for pokie machines, but will introduce some flexibility to allow them to be moved within venues without increasing overall numbers. The Gaming Act 2003 requires Councils to have a policy, reviewed every three years, for gaming machines and venues where they operate. In 2004 Kaipara District Council introduced a ‘sinking lid’ policy, meaning no new venues could be set up or extra pokies installed and that any withdrawn from service were unable to be replaced or transferred elsewhere.

Department of Internal Affairs figures show that Kaipara numbers have fallen from 120 machines at 18 venues in 2003 to 81 at 13 venues last year. In 2003 there was one pokie to 155 Kaipara residents while the 2007 ratio was 1:230.

As part of its three-yearly review Council canvassed opinion through the Annual Plan process and received about 50 submissions and 135 postcards on the subject.

An overwhelming majority, including Police, Gambling Watch and the Problem Gambling Foundation and Medical Officers of Health, supported the present policy. The Lion Foundation and Pub Charity sought a cap on numbers rather than a ‘sinking lid’, asking for 108 and 81 respectively. Two venues sought a more flexible approach in relation to replacing surrendered machines.

In considering the subject on Wednesday 4 June 2008, Council decided that submissions strongly supported the status quo and provided no mandate to change this. However, they also noted advice from the Department of Internal Affairs that policies should cover all foreseeable issues, including relocation of existing venues. Under Kaipara’s present policy an operator shifting venues would need a new licence and would forfeit its pokies.

As a result Council will alter its policy to be similar to Whangarei District which allows machines to be moved to a new site when, due to circumstances beyond the control of the owner or lessee, the venue cannot continue to operate at the existing site. This also provides for clubs to combine and move to a new site but prevents the number of machines increasing.

The changes will be incorporated into a new policy which will be presented to Council at its June 2008 meeting.