Council invites community views on sinking lid for pokies

Published on 07 June 2023

We’re seeking community input on whether to have a ‘sinking lid’ for pokie machines in Palmerston North.

We’re reviewing our gambling policies and proposing some changes and we’d like to hear from the public about those changes.  

Council has two gambling policies. These policies set the number and location of gambling venues in Palmerston North.  

The main change we are proposing to make is the introduction of a ‘sinking lid’ clause. This would mean that we will no longer grant consents for pokie machines at new venues, or for any additional machines at existing venues. Over time the number of pokie machines in the city is likely to reduce as existing venues close. 

Other changes to the two policies are considered minor and involve the changing of some wording to make the policy easier to understand and the updating of names of organisations. 

Find out more and let us know your thoughts at www.pncc.govt.nz/gambling. Paper copies of the statement of proposal and submission form are available from our Customer Service Centre or any of our community libraries. 

If you’d like to speak to elected members in person, please indicate this on your submission form.  

Submissions are open until 4pm on Monday 10 July 2023.  

A hearing is expected to be held in August 2023. We’ll write to all submitters once a date is confirmed.  

Following this Council will then meet in September to consider all the submissions and decide whether to adopt the updated gambling policies.