2 Sep 2009

Replacement gaming venues to be allowed

1:01 pm on 2 September 2009

An Auckland City Council committee has voted for a policy that will allow new gaming venues to replace ones that close.

The new policy will slow previous moves to reduce the number of gaming machines in the city by not allowing replacement venues to open.

There was a heated debate at the community services meeting before members voted for the policy to go to the council for consideration.

The new draft policy says new venues cannot open in low socio- economic areas.

But committee member councillor Graeme Easte, who abstained from voting, says venues could open in neighbouring areas.