PROPOSED CHANGES TO POKIE LAWS
Get smart with the bill
What’s happening?
The Flavell Bill has been referred to the Commerce Select Committee for consideration. The bill proposes to change a number of things about the way gaming operations are run.
These could have serious implications for the people who run gaming operations and the community groups who rely on gaming grants. The proposed changes are detailed here.
The deadline for sending submissions to the Commerce Select Committee was 21 June 2012. We'd like to thank everyone who took the opportunity to have their say and voice their opinion.
What is the Flavell Bill?
The Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill is a private member’s bill that was proposed by Maori Party MP for Waiariki, Te Ururoa Flavell (which is why it’s often referred to as the ‘Flavell Bill’).
It was drawn from the ballot in September 2010 and concluded its first parliamentary reading on Wednesday 9 May 2012. Parliament voted to send the bill to the Commerce Select Committee for consideration. The committee has six months to consider submissions before it must report back to parliament. The matter is scheduled to be heard in the House on 9 November 2012.
The purpose of the bill is:
a) To prevent and minimise the harm caused by gambling, including problem gambling.
b) To ensure that money from gambling benefits the community.
c) To facilitate community involvement in decisions about the provision of gambling.
NZCT’s position
NZCT is taking an objective, considered and strategic approach to the Flavell Bill. Our current position is that the bill proposes some reasonable changes around harm minimisation and grant funding, and we support some aspects of these.
However, there are some proposed changes that could significantly change the way gaming operations are run (for example, clause 7 (2) which could permanently remove pokie machines from some towns). This would affect our and our publicans’ property rights – and would significantly affect our ability to provide funding to those communities. The bill also proposes giving local councils the power to distribute grant funds. We think this is a conflict of interest. We do not support these changes.
You can download a copy of NZCT's submission here.
