Legislation
New Zealand – New Zealand clubs be legislated ‘out of existence’
By Phil - 23 February 2015
The New Zealand First political party claims that new gambling laws could have a detrimental effect on small clubs saying additional costs could ‘legislate them out of existence.’
The Gambling Amendment Bill is due to be put before the New Zealand Parliament and could soon progress to its third reading.
New Zealand First internal affairs spokesperson Clayton Mitchell said: “Additional costs and requirements are going to hit smaller businesses, local RSAs and sports clubs hardest. Small businesses will be hit by a barrage of additional requirements which will effectively legislate them out of existence through a series of amendments to the Gambling Act. This latest bill enables problem gamblers with self-exclusion orders to enter these premises but be excluded from the gambling area. This creates additional security expenses for these small businesses. The cumulative effect of the Gambling Amendment Bills is creating a perfect storm. Many small businesses and clubs may be forced to close while at the same time casinos that have the cash to pay the excessive charges will prosper.”
