Wellington City Council is now accepting submissions for its upcoming poker machine policy review. So, you will have the opportunity to voice your opinions about the way in which pokies are operated in your area. The city council is calling on submissions for the policy, which manages gambling harm risks and the framework for poker machine management.
If you have any suggestions or opinions on either of these issues, you should certainly make a submission. One of the recommended chances for the policy is lowering the limit of poker machine venues in particular areas. This would mean that venue owners cannot open more than two additional venues in any given area.
Such laws would help to reduce gambling spending by limiting the number of venues in which players can gamble on pokies and other gaming machines. Other recommendations include allowing club owners to relocate their venues while taking their pokie entitlements with them.
Limits would be placed on these relocations, ensuring that clubs move within Wellington’s central zone and that moving the games would not exceed the limit of gaming machines in the area. “It’s important that people have a say on how gambling operates in the City and this is their opportunity to do so,” says Councillor Paul Eagle.
You can make your submission online at wellington.govt.nz, or you can send a submission form to: Gambling Venues Policy Review, Freepost Wellington City Council PO Box 2199 Wellington To obtain a submission form, visit the City Service Centre or local libraries. You can also obtain one by emailing [email protected] or phoning 04 499 4444. The submission date will close at 5pm on Friday 22 May 2015.