New Zealand Gaming Association Criticizes Proposed Gambling Regulations
The New Zealand Game Machine Association (GMANZ) has voiced worries about proposed modifications to gambling rules, labeling some of the suggested provisions as “unreasonable, illogical, and impractical.”
GMANZ will attend a High Court hearing this week concerning new rules established by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Three GMANZ members will also participate in the hearing.
The final portion of the regulations, designed to minimize potential gambling risks, will take effect on December 1st, less than two weeks away.
GMANZ states it supports effective oversight to minimize potential harms. However, it has also expressed concerns about numerous clauses in the new regulations. The organization added that the clauses do not address the larger issues in the regulation of Class 4 gambling.
GMANZ’s independent head, Peter Dengate Thrush, specifically criticized the development of the new rules without “proper” discussion.
“Who is better positioned to identify potential risks than those who work in the venues?” Dengate Thrush inquired.
A significant number of the suggested rules are merely superficial attempts to reduce harm, or could potentially exacerbate the situation. These choices are made by bureaucrats who lack practical experience in the specified environment.
**Critique of New Zealand’s regulatory body**
Dengate Thrush, in his critique, highlighted several proposals. These include a marker for problematic gambling, which is patrons making more than two cash withdrawals at the designated location in a single day. However, since these locations can also function as bars and pubs, it’s impossible to definitively determine how the funds were spent.
He also criticized a proposal mandating staff to record the identity of every individual in the gaming area every 20 minutes, including their physical characteristics for future reference. Dengate Thrush stated that this could involve 20 individuals, three times per hour, for 12 or 14 hours of operation daily. He added that this would result in 720 entries daily, or approximately 250,000 annually.
“Employees are expected to perform this task in addition to serving beverages, cleaning, monitoring intoxication levels, and fulfilling all other responsibilities of accountable venue managers,” he stated. “Our venue operators believe this is impractical. We have communicated these concerns to the DIA directly, through workshops and online seminars, but they remain completely unresponsive.”
“The new regulations present significant operational challenges, such as the cash withdrawal obligation and the related gaming area monitoring duty.”
**GMANZ: DIA unresponsive to concerns**
Darcy Trash also lambasted New Zealand’s industry overseers. He stated that defects in the rules reflected a broader, more widespread issue, that overseers “are not fulfilling their duties.”
He highlighted: “The new rules don’t take into account the realities of tier four locations, nor the individuals on the front lines doing problem gambling mitigation work.” “The overseers appear to have not paid attention to the industry and instead crafted rules that don’t work to justify their presence.
“We desire rogue, unlawful operators in the industry to be prosecuted, just like anyone else. But this type of rule is not sufficient in this industry – we on the front lines deserve better.”
Darcy Trash went on to say that GMANZ was eager to receive problem gambling tax funds to utilize for training and investing in technology to reduce gambling harm. This includes facial recognition to provide extra protection and support.
Darcy Trash said: “The shared objective of the entire industry is to reduce harm and provide support for those who require it.”
“We don’t have any members who want anyone to be harmed by any location. We want any host who is not seriously fulfilling their responsibilities to be targeted, and those who are not following the process to face prosecution. These rules could make things worse.
“We need the Ministry of Internal Affairs to truly listen to us, because we are a vital part of the environment.”
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