Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy and TAB Venues Policy

Closed 13 Aug 2023

Opened 13 Jul 2023

Contact

07 838 6699

haveyoursay@hcc.govt.nz

Feedback updated 6 Nov 2023

We asked

We asked for your thoughts on Council’s Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy and the TAB Venues Policy. 

As a council, we’re required to have policies in place around gambling in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. We need to review the policies every three years. These are: 

Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy, which outlines the rules and restrictions for venues with gambling machines in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. 

TAB Venues Policy, which outlines the rules for venues in Hamilton Kirikiriroa that provide racing betting or sports betting services.  

Read policies here: https://hamilton.govt.nz/policies 

We proposed to continue both the Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy and the TAB Venues Policy without changes to either policy. 

You said

We received a total of 55 submissions. This included 28 from individuals and 27 from organisations, community groups or businesses. 

Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy 

More respondents disagreed with the proposal to continue the Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy without any changes (27, 50%), than those who agreed (20, 36%) with Council’s proposal. Of the 27 respondents that were opposed to Council’s proposal on the Class 4 Gambling policy to continue the policy without any changes, 12 felt the policy was not strict enough, and 11 felt the current policy was too strict. Individuals were more likely to support Council’s proposal, compared to groups or organisations. 

TAB Venues Policy 

Most respondents agreed with the proposal to continue the TAB Venues Policy without any changes (46%), and 30% disagreed with Council’s proposal. There was a large proportion (24%) who did not answer this question. 

We did

Your feedback was presented to the Community and Natural Environment Committee on 26 October 2023.  The committee resolved to continue both policies without changes. 

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

Hamilton City Council wants to know your thoughts on the Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy and the TAB Venues Policy.

Why are we doing this?

As a council, we’re required to have policies in place around gambling in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. We need to review the policies every three years. These are:

  • Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy (required by Gambling Act 2003)

This policy outlines the rules and restrictions for venues with gambling machines in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. The current policy was adopted in 2004 and was last reviewed in 2019. It restricts the location of venues, the number of venues in Hamilton, and the number of gambling machines each venue can have.

  • TAB Venues Policy (required by Racing Industry Act 2020)

This policy outlines the rules for venues in Hamilton Kirikiriroa that provide racing betting or sports betting services. The current policy was adopted in 2004 and last reviewed in 2018. Under the current policy, no new TAB venues can be established in Hamilton, and venues are not allowed to move premises.

Read policies here: https://hamilton.govt.nz/policies

This is an opportunity for you to have your say on both policies.

Proposal

We propose to continue both the Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy and the TAB Venues Policy without changes to either policy.

Both current policies aim to reduce harm from gambling for our community. They both operate under a ‘sinking lid’ approach, which means that no new venues can be established.

The Class 4 Gambling Venue Policy currently allows for some movement and merging of venues.

Please note that casino gambling and online gambling are not included in these policies and not part of the current review.

Reasons for the proposal

The reasons we propose to continue both policies are outlined below.

Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy

  • Under the current policy, we’re seeing a steady reduction in Class 4 gambling venues.
  • It allows venues to move locations in some circumstances (e.g. if the building is deemed unsafe), making it easier on business owners.
  • The relocation of venues is restrictive, and considers the proximity of sensitive areas.
  • Venues can merge.

TAB Venues Policy

  • Under the current policy, we’re seeing a steady reduction in venues.
  • With fewer venues, the opportunities for TAB gambling harm are reduced.

Options

We’re seeking your feedback on our proposal to continue the current Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy and TAB Venues Policy.

We can either continue the policies as they are, or make some changes. See below the options for each policy, and some considerations and potential risks for each.

Option 1: Continue the policy without any changes.

Considerations and risks

  • We’re seeing a steady reduction in Class 4 Gambling venues with this policy, as intended.
  • It allows venues to move locations in some circumstances (e.g. if the building is deemed unsafe), making it easier on business owners.
  • Relocations and mergers may allow for more productive use of land by freeing up prime land/leases.
  • There may be further opportunity to reduce gambling harm we could explore.
  • There is no incentive for venue owners to reduce or stop providing gaming machines.

Option 2: Further restrict the policy by not allowing venues to move or merge.

Considerations and risks

  • This option would further reduce the number of gambling machines and venues over time.
  • It could further reduce gambling harm in our communities.
  • There are already restrictions around relocating venues in proximity to sensitive sites, and this could be further restricted.
  • Business owners of gambling venues would not be able to relocate their machines or venue if they are unable to operate in the current venue (i.e. if their lease is not renewed or the building is deemed unsafe).
  • Further restrictions could result in loss of profit for some business owners.
  • Business owners would not be to get consent for a new venue, and would be unlikely to cease their current operations.
  • It’s unlikely that productive land currently held by Class 4 Venues would become available for more productive uses.

Option 3: Reduce limitations on Class 4 Gambling Venues.

Considerations and risks

  • Venue owners would have more freedom in terms of movement and number of machines.
  • More venue choice for gamblers.
  • Some argue that class 4 venues allow for gambling to be monitored and policed by those working at the venue.
  • This could significantly increase opportunities for gambling harm.
  • Council staff would need to draft and implement the policy, and lodge consent applications, which may increase cost and staffing needs.
  • There is a higher risk of gambling venues being located near to sensitive areas, such as schools or churches.

We propose Option 1: Continue the policy without any changes for the Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy, as we’re seeing a steady reduction in Class 4 Gambling venues with this policy, as intended.

Option 1: Contune the policy without any changes.

Considerations and risks

  • We're seeing a steady reduction in TAB venues with this policy, as intended.
  • The current policy limits the opportunities for TAB gambling.
  • There are fewer opportunities for TAB gambling harm.

Option 2: Change to a fixed number of locations.

Considerations and risks

  • This would allow for a set number of TAB venues to open in Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
  • It would enable a wider geographic spread of gambling venues.
  • There would be more opportunities for gambling, and gambling harm, to occur.

Option 3: Reduce the limitations on TAB venues.

Considerations and risk

  • This would allow for more TAB venues to open in Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
  • There would be more opportunities for gambling, and gambling harm to occur.
  • Council staff would need to draft and implement the policy, and lodge consent applications, which may increase cost and staffing needs.

We propose Option 1: Continue the policy without any changes for the TAB Venues Policy, as we’re seeing a steady reduction in TAB venues with this policy, as intended.

Next steps

Staff will collect and analyse all feedback at the close of the submission period. The analysis of this feedback will be presented to the 20 September 2023 meeting of the Regulatory and Hearings Committee. At this meeting, submitters who want to speak to their written submission will be able to do so. Council will then consider all the views and make a decision on the Class 4 Gambling Venues Policy and TAB Venues Policy.