The provisions relating to gambling are contained in the Gambling Act 2003 and in the Racing Act 2003.
The purpose of the Gambling Act is to:
- Control the growth of gambling.
- Prevent and minimise the harm that is caused by gambling.
- Authorise some gambling and prohibit the rest.
- Facilitate responsible gambling.
- Ensure the integrity and fairness of games.
- Limit opportunities for crime or dishonesty associated with gambling.
- Ensure that money from gambling benefits the community.
- Facilitate community involvement in decisions about the provision of gambling.
The particular involvement of the Council is:
- That it must have both a Gambling Venue Policy and a Totalisator Agency Board Venue Policy.
- Both policies must be reviewed every three years.
Council reviewed its gambling policy in March 2008. In accordance with the Gambling Act 2003 the special consultative procedure was used as the process to review the policy. As a result of going through this process 340 submissions were received.
Council considered all submissions and made a decision on the policy on 31 March 2008. This decision identified that Council wished to change the existing policy in accordance with the submissions received to a "sinking lid" policy.
For a copy of Council's full policy
Gambling Policy adopted on 31 March 2008