Hamilton City Council raises the bar with proposed “gold standard” pokies policy
The Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) applauds Hamilton City Council on its proposed pokies policy and urges Hamiltonians to have their say.
The Council is currently reviewing its Class 4 (pokies in pubs and clubs) gambling venue policy and is proposing a sinking lid policy, but it is strengthened by not allowing any relocations or venue mergers.
Andrée Froude, PGF spokesperson, says the Council’s proposal is the gold standard of pokie policies.
“The Council’s two policy options are sinking lid policies meaning no new pokies will be permitted at a Class 4 venue, but the proposed policy will not permit a venue to relocate with its pokies to another site, or permit clubs with pokies to merge,” she said.
In 2018 Hamilton City lost nearly $25 million in the 424 pokies located in the 28 pubs and clubs in the City. Fifteen of the 28 pokie venues are located in areas with a “very high” deprivation rating.
The amount that went back into the City in the form of grants from pokie trusts between January 2018 and March 2019 was approximately $7.2 million.
Andrée Froude said with SkyCity Hamilton Casino’s application to deploy 60 additional pokie machines in substitution for three BlackJack tables currently before the Gambling Commission, the need for a strong and effective policy on pokies in Hamilton pubs and clubs is vital.
“The Council has signalled its stance on pokies by proposing a strong sinking lid policy for pokies in pubs and clubs and for its opposition to SkyCity’s moves to increase the number of pokies in its casino,” she said.
“Although casino pokies are outside the scope of the Council’s gambling policy review, the Council has given a strong message that it doesn’t want any more pokies in Hamilton City.”
“Sinking lid policies don’t go far enough, but it is the best policy we have available to gradually reduce the numbers of these addictive machines in our communities. Hamilton City Council have raised the bar with its proposed policy, and we hope other councils around the country will do the same.”
Have your say on Hamilton City Council’s gambling policy review. Submissions close 17 June 2019.
haveyoursay.hamilton.govt.nz...
If you, or anyone close to you, has a gambling problem, free and confidential help and support is available www.pgf.nz...
Poll: Are you feeling more optimistic about our local economy lately?
Waikato farmers are leading the way! 🚜🐄 With exports booming and "stellar seasons" on the books, our farmers are pumping value back into the region.
Even with a cautious approach to spending, the benefits are slowly making their way into the local economy.
We want to know: Are you feeling more optimistic about our local economy lately?
-
0% Yes, definitely!
-
0% Getting there...
-
0% Still waiting to see it.
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Loading…
