No more pokies for Waipa
2 September 2014
Waipa has reached its pokie machine limit and no more will be allowed in the district.
Under Waipa District Council's gambling venue policy, the number of operating gambling machines - often called 'pokie' machines - is capped at 232.
A recent application made on behalf of the Hamilton Workingmen's Club to install two new machines at Fusion in Karapiro means that limit has now been reached.
Any venues wishing to install pokie machines must get council approval before the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) will grant a licence.
Since March 2014, nine new pokie machines have been stalled at the Cambridge TAB and a further four were installed at the Firkin Sport Bar in Te Awamutu. That took the total number of operating machines in Waipa to 230, meaning only two more pokie machines were allowed.
On that basis, permission for just two machines to be installed at Karapiro was granted. The application from the Hamilton Workingmen's Club had initially sought nine.
The council last reviewed its gambling venue policy in 2012. It must be reviewed again by October 2015.
ENDS
Media enquiries: Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of council) 027 5077 599