Christchurch City Council says no more pokies

Christchurch City Council voted today not to allow the application received from the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club for consent to install 18 gaming machines at a new off-course gambling venue..

Councillor Sue Wells says “Council has reaffirmed that it wishes to work with the club to assist harness racing in Canterbury, but while we acknowledge the club’s problems, gaming machines are not the solution.''

The club was seeking Council approval for a variation to the Council’s Gambling Venue and TAB Venue Policy to obtain consent under the Gambling Act 2003. If it obtained the consent , the trotting club could then have applied to the Department of Internal Affairs for a venue licence to have gaming machines on site at Addington Raceway.