The Gambling Act 2003 came into force in September 2003, and has four key objectives:
• to control the growth of gambling;
• to prevent and minimise the harm caused by gambling;
• to ensure that money from gambling benefits the community; and
• to ensure community involvement in some decisions about the provisions of gambling.
The Act requires Council to adopt a policy to regulate whether Class 4 venues and Board venues can locate in the District, and if so where these venues can locate. Class 4 venues are venues other than a casino that has gaming/pokie machines. A Board venue is essentially a sole purpose TAB venue (ie excludes TAB terminals in pubs/hotels).
The policy also regulates how many pokie machines will be permitted in the District. In preparing the policy, the Act requires each Council to have regard to the social effects of gambling within the District.
For more detailed information on the Gambling Act 2003 visit www.legislation.govt.nz
WesternBay of Plenty District Council’s Class 4 Venues & Board Venues Policy
Copies of Council’s Class 4 and Board Venue Policy are available at Council's head office and library and service centres.
When Do You Need To Apply For Council Consent?
You will need to apply for consent under Council’s Class 4 Venue and Board Venue Policy if:
- you are a society and want to increase the number of pokie machines you are licensed for at a particular venue (this includes if you want to amalgamate two or more clubs
- you are a society and you hold a Class 4 venue license that was granted after 17 October 2001 and before 18 September 2003. NB: Section 93(4) of the Gambling Act requires that you apply for Council consent to approve the number of machines that you current operate at that venue.
- you are a society and you are applying for a Class 4 venue license from the Department of Internal Affairs and a license has not been held by any society for that venue in the last six months (including the establishment of new pokie machine venues)
- you are the Racing Board and you want to establish anew TAB venue in the District.
NB: Only a licensed 'corporate society' may operate non-casino gambling machines. This includes societies incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908, the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 or the Companies Act 1993. Working men's clubs registered under the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions Act 1982 are also included.
How Do You Apply For Council Consent?
If you need Council consent under the Class 4 Venues and TAB Venues Policy you will need to submit the following information to Council:
• Completed application form (copies available from Council head office and library and service centres
• Copies of all relevant historical venue licenses issued by the Department of Internal Affairs
• Copy of the current liquor license for the venue (excluding TAB venue applications)
• Application fee $50.00 + GST
How Many Pokie Machines Are Permitted At A Venue?
The maximum number of pokie machines allowed in Class 4 venues in the Western Bay of Plenty District is defined in Council’s Class 4 Venues and TAB Venues Policy and summarised below.