Home » Sinking Lid Pokie Policy Will Not Be Implemented in the Waipā District
Sinking Lid Pokie Policy Will Not Be Implemented in the Waipā District
Recently updated on August 20th, 2019
It seems that the Waipā District Council does not believe that the sinking lid rule should be added to the active gambling policy in the municipality. This comes after a committee meeting was held to determine whether or not amendments should be made to the current governing policy.
Only two members of the committee voted in favor of adding the sinking lid policy to current regulations, stating that poker machines may generate more harm than good. Additionally, they said the tax generated from these games was often only directed to certain groups within the community. It was suggested that while some groups may profit through existence of gambling machines in the area, there are a load of vulnerable people, such as children, at risk of being hurt by not doing anything.
Sinking Lid Policy: How Does It Work?
The policy aims to keep the number of gambling establishments under control and asserts that if an establishment that featured poker machines shuts down, another venue will not automatically be given the go-ahead to begin trading. This rule remains true even if there is now a deficit in how many active gambling establishments are allowed to be operating in a particular area.
Currently, the Waipā district allows for 15 gambling establishments to operate in the municipal area, and the number of poker machines is capped at 232 with only 228 operating at the moment. Without the introduction of the sinking lid policy, the municipality is free to give another venue a license that will allow them to have four pokie machines in the venue.
Poker machines have been a controversial topic in New Zealand for some time now. Many anti-gambling groups are worried about the amount of harm caused by the state’s most popular form of gambling, especially as it is so easily accessible.
Last year, New Zealanders spent near NZ$1 billion on pokie machines and only 43% made it back into the community in some way. However, these figures do not relay the gambling harm wrought on individuals and their families.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Waipā District Council and others across New Zealand will adopt the policy sometime in the near future.
Taralynn Engels is a seasoned casino news writer with a passion for keeping her readers up-to-date with the latest happenings in the gambling industry. With over five years of professional writing experience, Taralynn has developed a deep understanding of the casino industry and a knack for delivering engaging and informative content. Aside from her in-depth knowledge of the casino industry, Taralynn possesses excellent writing skills that allow her to craft captivating narratives that keep readers hooked until the last word. Her ability to simplify complex concepts and present them in an accessible manner guarantees that her articles are enjoyed by both seasoned casino enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Recently updated on September 9th, 2019 The Star Entertainment Group has been linked to businessman and gambling industry mogul, Stanley Ho. Ho has picked up a bad reputation for himself after authorities learned about his supposed involvement in organised crime. The Star Entertainment Group is rival to one of Australia’s biggest casino operators- Crown Resorts. […]
Recently updated on April 5th, 2019With gambling-related harm at the forefront of Kiwi minds, Tararua was one of the first districts to limit gaming machines. Unfortunately, their ‘sinking lid’ policy is now in its sixth year without much to show for it. While other districts in New Zealand are trying to clamp down on the […]
Recently updated on January 31st, 2018After months of sexual harassment allegations in the entertainment industry, new accusations have surfaced against Steve Wynn. The founder, Chairman and CEO of the infamous Wynn Resorts is now facing serious charges of misconduct towards his female employees. In an ‘extensive report’ published last week, the Wall Street Journal claimed […]
Recently updated on October 23rd, 2020If you’re looking to get into the spooky spirit, then we’ve got some Halloween bonuses for you. These offers are exclusive to NZ players, so grab them while you can! All of the bonus money offers we’ve found are exclusively available for brand-new Halloween slots. With that said, let’s get […]
Recently updated on February 8th, 2019Earlier this year, SkyCity Hamilton submitted an application to remove three blackjack tables from their casino floors to make space for 60 additional pokie machines. The additional machines would increase the total number of pokies available at the casino to 399. The application did result in opposition from the community. […]