Council brings forward review of Gambling Venues Policy 2009

Christchurch City Council is bringing forward the review of its Gambling Venues Policy 2009 following the effects of the earthquakes on class 4 gambling venues in the city.

The Council’s Gambling Venues Policy was last reviewed in 2009 and is a “sinking lid” policy. It aims to progressively reduce the opportunities for class 4 gambling (Gambling on Non-Casino Gaming (pokie) Machines (NCGM) is class 4 gambling) in Christchurch by attrition. It does not allow any increase in class 4 venues or class 4 machine numbers, except in a specific circumstance where two or more corporate societies are merging.

The Policy was due to be reviewed by the end of August 2012; however, with the closure of 30 gambling venues and following a discussion with stakeholders, the Council decided to look at the possible actions it might take in relation to the current Gambling Venues Policy.

The September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes affected 36 gambling venues in the city. Eleven of these were destroyed and 19 badly damaged. Six venues have reopened. Fourteen separate trusts are involved in the operations of these affected venues.

A number of venue operators had indicated they were interested in relocating, where venues have been seriously damaged by the earthquakes. The current Policy does not allow venues or machines to be relocated.

The Council considered amending the Policy to add provision for earthquake damaged venues to relocate, continuing to apply the current Policy as is and review the Policy as statutorily scheduled by the end of August 2012 or bringing forward the review of the Policy to be completed by the end of May 2012.

In the discussion it was clarified that the Council had no option but to consider requests to establish gambling venues that are not consistent with its Policy. Under section 80. of the Local Government Act 2002 the Council could make decisions that are inconsistent with its Policy.

The Council agreed that the current Gambling Venue Policy should remain in place until it has been reviewed and directed staff to bring forward the scheduled review of the Policy and report back on the review to Council by the end of February 2012.

Background

Following the earthquakes, the number of venues and gambling machines fell from 114 venues and 1,767 machines to 108 venues and 1,577 machines at 30 June 2011. This includes 30 venues which have been damaged or destroyed.

Seven of the Trusts covering 16 venues replied to a Council request for information on the need to relocate their licences to different premises. Seven of the 16 operators wished to relocate, three did not want to relocate and six did not know whether they would want to relocate or not. Any potential relocation to a new venue would require a consent from the Council before applying for a new licence from the Department of Internal Affairs.

In spite of the decrease in the number of venues and machines, of the major cities Christchurch still has the highest number of machines per thousand head of population aged 15 and over; although Dunedin and Tauranga have higher numbers of venues per thousand head of population.