Gambling Changes Considered in Wairarapa

In response to growing concerns about the adverse effects of gambling, two district councils in Wairarapa are contemplating stricter regulations.

A recent report, set to be presented to the Carterton and Masterton district councils, proposes enhanced restrictions on the establishment of new gambling venues and the installation of gaming machines within the region.

The South Wairarapa District Council is expected to review the same report later this month.

One of the key recommendations of the report is to prohibit the opening of gambling machine venues in the most economically disadvantaged areas of Wairarapa that lie outside the main town centers. Additionally, it suggests a moratorium on new TABs (betting shops) in the region and tighter controls on the introduction of new pokie machines.

The report underlines the increasing concern of social service agencies about the rising incidence of gambling-related harm, particularly among residents facing financial difficulties in Wairarapa's most vulnerable communities.

Despite a decline in the number of gambling venues and poker machines in recent years, the report indicates that gambling expenditure in Wairarapa has continued to rise since 2015.

The report highlights a paradox where official statistics show a decrease in the number of people seeking help for gambling-related issues, while local social service agencies in Wairarapa believe that the problem is actually worsening.

Furthermore, the economic benefits of gambling machine venues in the region appear to be minimal, with little impact on employment opportunities.

It is revealed that only about 19 percent of gaming machine profits are reinvested in Wairarapa through grant funding, a considerably lower figure compared to other regions. Additionally, only a few organizations dedicated to addressing gambling-related harm have received gaming trust grants in the past year.

If the recommendations are accepted by the councils, the community will have the opportunity to provide input during consultations scheduled for October and November.