| Local Government New Zealand supports the intention of the Bill to reduce gambling-related harm. In relation to the functions of local government, the Bill has two broad proposals, which are that local authorities should have a greater role in regulating Class 4 gaming; and distributing the funds derived from Class 4 gaming.
We support the proposal to reduce or prohibit the number of venues and the proposal to introduce a Class 4 gaming licence period of three years. However, the drafting of the Bill represents poor regulatory process, placing unreasonable and potentially conflicting requirements on territorial authorities.
We submit that either territorial authorities have meaningful regulatory powers or have them removed altogether.
While the main intention of the Bill is to address harm from Class 4
gambling, a number of the proposals focus on the administration of the
proceeds from this form of gambling. We do not believe the proposed
amendments will achieve the purpose of a reduction in harm caused by gambling. However, we welcome the opportunity to provide some alternative considerations and we have therefore made a number of suggestions throughout the submission. |
