Members of the public only have a few more days left to have their say on the draft Gambling Venues Policy 2019.

Public consultation closes at 5pm on Friday, 16 November.

Tauranga City Council is reviewing the policy that sets out how many and where gambling venues (TAB venues and places with gaming machines, aka pokies) can set up in Tauranga, and how many gaming machines can operate in the city.

It is proposing the introduction of a ‘sinking lid' approach which means no new gambling venues would be allowed to set up in Tauranga, and no additional machines would get approval to operate.

'Over time, the number of venues and machines would slowly decline, if venues shut down or give up some of their machines,” says council in a media release.

'The main drawback is that this would slowly affect the availability of funding for the racing industry, sports and community organisations and clubs, who receive part of the proceeds from gambling, as directed by the Gambling Act and the Racing Act.”

Earlier this month, the Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand sent out a plea for Tauranga residents to consider the other side of the industry.

'The gaming funding generated is used to support sports clubs such as the Mount Maunganui Junior Football Club and the Tauranga Hockey Association; the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind; local youth development programmes including Blue Light Venues; local schools; and even the local lifeguard service,” says GMA New Zealand spokesperson Bruce Robertson.

'These organisations find the funding extremely valuable and there is little publicity around the benefit that comes from gaming grants.”

GMA is urging members of public to make informed submissions to the police.

The draft policy and supporting information, including a social impact assessment that informed the review, are available on the Tauranga City Council website, along with an online submission form.

Paper copies are also available at the customer service centre at 91 Willow Street and in libraries.