Of the 250 submissions, 75 per cent agreed or strongly agreed with the change to enable relocations, while 14 per cent did not support it. Jared True, of the Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand, said the relocation proposal was “entirely reasonable”.Īt Monday’s meeting, council regulatory and compliance general manager Sarah Omundsen said submissions “overwhelmingly supported” the change. ”We recommend that council strictly enforces its sinking lid policy and does not allow relocation of venues and gambling machines,” Jordan said.Ĭommissioner Stephen Selwood said by not allowing venues to relocate to lower-deprivation areas, licensed venues could cling on in high-deprivation areas. ”We are concerned that the changes proposed by the council will not reduce gambling harm in Tauranga.”Īllowing venues to relocate would undermine the sinking lid policy to reduce gambling harm, she said.Ī sinking lid policy meant when a Class 4 (pokie) gambling venue closed, consent wouldn’t be given to reopen another venue.Įlectronic gambling machines were mainly located in higher-deprivation areas and gambling harm affected the most vulnerable community members, Jordan said. During hearings in November, Toi Te Ora public Health representative Rachel Jordan said gambling was a significant public health issue that caused harm to individuals, whānau and communities.