Gambling Venue Policy Review

We’re reviewing our Gambling Venue Policy, which sets the rules for Class 4 gaming machine venues (pokies in pubs and clubs) and TAB venues in Tasman.

This review is to ensure that the policy minimises gambling harm and reflects the expectations of our community. Changes to national legislation will also be incorporated, including specifying where new TAB venues may be located.

Tasman District currently has a sinking-lid policy for Class 4 gaming machine venues. This means:

No new Class 4 venues can be approved
No additional gaming machines can be added
Existing venues cannot relocate or merge

What we’re doing now

We have finished gathering early feedback from key stakeholders and interested members of the community. This information is now helping us prepare an updated policy, which will be presented to elected members in May 2026 before going out for formal public consultation.

Quick Stats

Current Gambling Venue Policy 2019

Click to read it here

It’s a local policy required by law that sets the rules for where and how many Class 4 venues (pokies in pubs and clubs) and TAB venues can operate in the Tasman District.

We’re reviewing this policy because councils are legally required to have one and to review it to ensure it stays appropriate for the district. The policy enables us to manage where gambling venues can operate and how many machines they may have, helping us to control gambling activity in Tasman.

The review also ensures we consider the social impacts of gambling, including harm in our communities, as required by the Gambling Act 2003 and Racing Industry Act 2020. It ensures the policy remains up to date with legislative changes and reflects current community expectations

Class 4 gambling
Gaming machines (pokies) in pubs and clubs, operated by licensed trusts that return profits to community groups.

TAB betting
Off-course betting on racing and sports, carried out at approved TAB venues.

NZ Lotteries and Casino gambling are not considered to be high risk gambling activities by the Department of Internal Affairs and are not covered by this policy. TAB and pokie machine gambling are considered high risk.

Online gambling is not currently covered under the Gambling Act 2003, and therefore is also not able to be influenced by this policy.

A sinking-lid policy prevents any increase in the number of gaming machines or gambling venues in a district. When a venue closes or gives up its machines, those machines are not replaced. Over time, the total number slowly “sinks” as venues close or reduce their machines.

In practice, this means:

No new gaming venues can open.
Existing venues can’t increase the number of machines they already have.
If a venue closes or relocates its machines are permanently removed from the district.

A sinking lid does not remove existing venues or machines straight away. Instead, it allows the number to reduce naturally over time, helping to gradually reduce gambling harm in the community while still allowing people who choose to gamble to do so.

It could but not immediately. A looser policy may allow more venues or machines over time, while a stricter policy can limit new or replacement machines and gradually reduce numbers.

Class 4 gaming machines are owned and run by corporate societies (charitable trusts). They are required to give at least 40% of profits from gaming as grants to community groups. These grants support local and national charities, community organisations, and other initiatives that promote health, education, and wellbeing.

The remaining profits go towards government levies and duties, venue costs, and the operating expenses of the corporate society.

As of September 2025, there were 9 venues;

Armadillos - Richmond
Club Waimea - Richmond
The Stables - Richmond
Star and Garter Tavern - Richmond
Collingwood Tavern - Collingwood
Telegraph Hotel - Tākaka
Hotel Motueka - Motueka
Post Office Hotel Motueka - Motueka
Wakefield Hotel - Wakefield

Yes, it’s against the law for anyone under 18 to play gaming machines or make TAB bets.

Formal consultation will take place later in 2026 when there is a draft policy to present. For now, you can help us draft the policy by providing feedback on the current policy and providing your opinion of the way gambling is regulated in Tasman.

Please fill in the questionnaire at the bottom of this page.

We are collecting early feedback from a range of key stakeholders including community health agencies, gambling societies, venue owners, and interested members of the public. Once this feedback is collected it will be summarised and presented to elected members to consider when they give direction on a draft policy.

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - complete

Early Engagement

December - March
We gather feedback from a range of key stakeholders, including community health agencies, gambling societies, venue owners, and interested members of the public, on the current policy and how it's working in our community.
Timeline item 2 - active

Policy Drafting

March - May
We analyse the results of all the information we gathered during the early engagement phase and use it to support the review of the policy. We share this information with elected members and receive direction on the draft policy.
Timeline item 3 - incomplete

Consultation

May - June
We share the draft policy for our community and stakeholders to review and formally have their say.
Timeline item 4 - incomplete

Hearings

July
An opportunity for those who wish to speak to their submission to a panel of elected members.
Timeline item 5 - incomplete

Deliberations

August
We analyse the results of the consultation and provide a summary to the panel of elected members. Staff may recommend changes in response to the consultation at this time. The panel will consider all of the information and make a recommendation to be adopted by the full Council.
Timeline item 6 - incomplete

Policy Adoption

September
The panel will make a recommendation to the Council to adopt the Policy along with any changes they may have requested at the deliberations meeting.

How to seek help

Gambling can be a sensitive topic for some. If you need to talk you can reach out to the services listed below.

Phone 0800 654 655 or text 8006 to get in touch with free and confidential services available 24/7, or find more information at the Gambling Helpline.

For information on safe gambling, you can visit Safer Gambling Aotearoa