Photo: FileA majority of submitters support the Dunedin City Council's proposal to gradually reduce the number of gambling venues in the city. The new policy would also ban new gambling venues and not allow existing ones to relocate. Of the 56 submissions received, 35 were in favour of extending the sinking lid policy across the entire city and not allowing gambling venues to relocate. There were seven submitters who did not want any limits placed on the number of venues and gambling machines and wanted venues to be able to relocate. Under the Gambling Act, local councils are required to have a gambling policy but the Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for the granting or refusing of gambling licences.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 16, 2018 16:07 UTC