The Rangitīkei District Council in New Zealand has begun reviewing its gambling policy. After the review, the council's preferred approach is to maintain the existing restrictions on gaming machines and continue to prohibit the establishment of standalone TAB venues in the area.
Although minor adjustments are suggested to align with central government legislation, these changes will not affect the implementation of the policy.
The decision was made based on a social impact assessment that rated the extent of harmful gambling impacts in the region as medium-high, indicating that the residents face higher risks compared to other New Zealanders.
Reminder: The deadline for public submissions on the Rangitīkei policy is February 24, 2025.
The Rangitīkei Review acknowledges the dual impact of gambling on the community and notes that while there are risks, the revenue from gambling activities provides significant support for local events, sports clubs, and community projects through grants and funding.
This policy review coincides with the development of national online gambling regulation, with the government planning to auction 15 online casino licenses - expected to generate NZ$719 million (US$406.04 million) in gambling taxes over four years.
However, local casino operators, including SkyCity Casino and Christchurch Casino, have expressed concerns that they might be acquired by larger offshore companies at higher prices, which could impact compliance and social responsibility standards.
