The Department of Internal Affairs

The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua

Building a safe, prosperous and respected nation

 

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Press Releases

A record of press releases issued by the Gambling Compliance Group of the Department of Internal Affairs.

Media contact: Sue Ingram – Phone: 04 494 0584, Mobile: 027 541 4696, Email: sue.ingram@dia.govt.nz

If you would like to have your organisation added to the Department’s distribution list for media releases about gambling issues, please email trevor.henry@dia.govt.nz

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2003

Consultations

Current Consultations

There are no current consultations.

Previous Consultations

Consultation on possible regulations to exempt spot prize draws from the definition of gambling (06/03/2013)

The Department of Internal Affairs, on behalf of the Minister of Internal Affairs, is seeking your views on possible regulations to exempt spot prize draws from the definition of gambling under the Gambling Act 2003 (the Act).

The consultation document invites your comments about this proposal.

The possible exemption will mean that events where spot prize draws are held will no longer be subject to the current gambling licensing and administrative requirements.

Submissions closed 4 April 2013.

Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Casino Table Games (28/09/2012)

The Secretary for Internal Affairs, subject to appropriate consultation, is able to make, amend or revoke rules under section 367 of the Gambling Act 2003.

The Department of Internal Affairs has received a request for amendments to the Rules of Casino Table Games. Explanations of the amendments are provided within this document, and full versions of the proposed amended rules are available on the Department’s website.

We invite you to review the proposed amendments and submit your views and comments to the Department of Internal Affairs.

In making your submission, we seek your input on how you consider this amendment relates to the Gambling Act's purposes in general, and also in particular the Act's purposes to "Prevent and minimise the harm caused by gambling, including problem gambling", to Ensure the integrity and fairness of games", to "Limit opportunities for crime and dishonesty" and to "Facilitate responsible gambling".

If the amendments are made, a notice will be published in the Gazette stating that the game rules have been amended, made or revoked and the date on which the changes will take effect.

Submissions on these proposals close on 26 October 2012. Appendices as follows:

Proposed Amendments to the Minimum Technical Requirements for Electronic Monitoring Systems (18/05/2012)

The Secretary for Internal Affairs is able to prescribe minimum standards for the design, manufacture, and performance of gambling equipment under section 327 of the Gambling Act 2003.

This consultation primarily proposes amendments to the standards for the voluntary pre-commitment facility which forms a part of the requirements for monitoring systems in New Zealand casinos.

If the amendments are made, a notice will be published in the Gazette stating that the standards have been amended and the date on which the changes will take effect.

Submissions on these proposals closed on 1 June 2012.

Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Casino Table Games (15/05/2012)

The Secretary for Internal Affairs, subject to appropriate consultation, is able to make, amend or revoke rules under section 367 of the Gambling Act 2003.

The Department of Internal Affairs has received a request for amendments to the Rules of Casino Table Games. Explanations of the amendments are provided within this document.

We invite you to review the proposed amendments and submit your views and comments to the Department of Internal Affairs.

In making your submission, we seek your input on how you consider this amendment relates to the Gambling Act's purposes in general, and also in particular the Act's purposes to "Prevent and minimise the harm caused by gambling, including problem gambling", to Ensure the integrity and fairness of games", to "Limit opportunities for crime and dishonesty" and to "Facilitate responsible gambling".

If the amendments are made, a notice will be published in the Gazette stating that the game rules have been amended, made or revoked and the date on which the changes will take effect.

Submissions on these proposals closed on 8 June 2012.

Proposed Developments / Enhancements / Maintenance (DEM) Policy Document (03/2/2012)

The Department consulted on a draft policy document on the treatment of development, enhancement and maintenance (DEM) costs.

The focus of the document is to make the existing policy for DEM costs incurred at class 4 venues and the Department's expectations in relation to these costs clear.

Submissions closed Friday 2 March 2012.

Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Casino Table Games (18/10/2011)

The Department consulted on proposed amendments to the Rules of Casino Games.

The Secretary for Internal Affairs, subject to appropriate consultation, is able to make, amend or revoke rules under section 367 of the Gambling Act 2003.

A corresponding amendment is also being proposed to the rules for Electronic Roulette. Amended versions of the rules can be found below.

Amendments will need to be assessed to ensure they are consistent with the purposes of the Gambling Act. Submissions closed on 3 November 2011.

Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Casino Table Games (24/02/2011)

The Department consulted on proposed amendments to the Rules of Casino Table Games in respect of roulette.

The Secretary for Internal Affairs, subject to appropriate consultation, is able to make, amend or revoke rules under section 367 of the Gambling Act 2003.

The Department received a request for amendments to the Rules of Casino Table Games, and took this opportunity to propose some additional minor amendments.

Explanations of the amendments are provided within this document, and full versions of the proposed amended rules are available below.

Submissions closed Thursday 24 March 2011.

Proposed amendments to Gambling (Class 4 Net Proceeds) Regulations 2004 (19/11/2010)

The Department consulted on a proposal to change the Gambling (Class 4 Net Proceeds) Regulations 2004 so that non-casino gaming machine societies can make multi-year grants to the same recipient or recipients. Currently, the Regulations prohibit this.

The consultation document includes a proposal to make some additional regulations so that societies do not inadvertently breach other statutory provisions if multi-year grants are allowed, and to deal with the spending of residual gaming machine profits.

Submissions closed 5pm Friday 17 December 2010.

Consultation (Round Two): Proposed Casino Monitoring System (15/11/2010)

The following document details proposed minimum technical requirements to feature in a Minimum Standard for a casino electronic monitoring system.

Following on from round one of the consultation exercise posted on 05/07/2010 (see below), round two is now open for your consideration.

The Department looks forward to receiving your feedback, which will be considered along with all the submissions received from the first round.

Correspondence should be emailed to angela.ibbotson@dia.govt.nz or posted to the Gambling Compliance Group (C/O Angela Ibbotson).

Please contact Angela if you require additional explanation from the Gaming Technology unit.

Submissions closed on Monday 29 November 2010.

Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Casino Games - Three Card Poker (08/10/2010)

The Department consulted on proposed amendments to the Rules of Casino Games – Three Card Poker.

The Secretary for Internal Affairs, subject to appropriate consultation, is able to make, amend or revoke rules under section 367 of the Gambling Act 2003.

The following letter initiated consultation on three proposed amendments to the rules for casino games in respect of Three Card Poker.
Submissions closed on Monday 8 November 2010.

Consultation (Round One): Proposed Casino Monitoring System (05/07/2010)

SkyCity Entertainment Group Ltd has submitted an application for minimum standards to enable the introduction of a new casino monitoring system.

Minimum standards are prescribed by the Secretary of Internal Affairs pursuant to section 327 of the Gambling Act 2003 and section 372 of the Act provides and obligation for the Secretary to consult with those likely to be affected.

The proposed system is wide ranging and would provide the casino and its customers with a number of new tools.

The consultation period ended on Thursday 5 August 2010. The second technical stage of the consultation is above.

Minimum Equipment Standards for Jackpot Systems (11/12/2009)

The Department consulted on amendments to Minimum Equipment Standards for Jackpot Systems.

The proposal suggests the withdrawal of non-downloadable jackpots and the addition of a credit limit on gaming machines.

The consultation period was extended to Friday 5 March 2010.

Proposed Amendments to Minimum Equipment Standards (27/08/2009)

The Department consulted on proposed amendments to the Minimum Equipment Standards (MES) being issued.

The consultation period ended on Friday 11 September 2009.

Proposed Amendments to Casino Game Rules 16/04/2009

The Department consulted on proposed amendments to Casino Game Rules.

The proposed amendments seek to remove the restriction on the number of Cash-In/Ticket-Out machines in casinos; amend the game denominations on Ticket-In/Ticket-Out gaming machines; and amend the pay scale on Caribbean Stud Poker progressive jackpots.

The consultation period ended on 15 May 2009.

Categorisation of Venue Costs under the Gazette Notice and the Reasonable Timeframes Associated with Labour Tasks (08/04/2009)

The Department consulted on the categorisation of venue costs under the Limits and Exclusions on Class 4 Venue Costs Notice 2004 and the reasonable timeframes for the completion of labour tasks associated with hosting gaming machines.

This document is intended to form the basis on which the Department will assess Class 4 venue costs in the future.

The consultation period ended on 29 May 2009. Note: This document has been developed with reference to other reports. For reference, those documents are:

Possible Exemptions to the Gaming Machine Definition in the Gambling Act 2003 (16/07/2008)

This paper invited feedback on a proposal to make regulations under section 368 of the Gambling Act 2003.

The proposed regulations are to exempt about a dozen currently operating examples of two casino games, and several categories of gambling equipment, from the gaming machine definition in section 4 of the Act.

The consultation period ended on 31 August 2008.

Establishing a Standard Approach to Information Gathering from Class 4 Gambling Operators (16/06/2008)

Establishing a standard approach to information gathering from Class 4 gambling operators:
  • Class 4 Information Project Final Report (PDF, 133K)*
  • Appendix A (PDF, 125K)* Consultation document - Establishing a Standard Approach to Information Gathering from Class 4 Gambling Operators
  • Appendix B (PDF, 153K)* Analysis of submissions - Information Gathering
  • Appendix C (PDF, 85K)* Letter to stakeholders - Class 4 Information Needs – Grants Information
  • Appendix D (PDF, 82K)* Draft categories for authorised purpose information
  • Appendix E (PDF, 232K)* Consultation document - Options for a Standard Approach to Information Gathering from Class 4 Gambling Operators: Exclusion Orders
  • Appendix F (PDF, 75K)* Analysis of submissions - Exclusion Orders

Amendments to the Limits and Exclusions on Class 4 Venue Costs Notice 2004 (18/04/2008)

The Department consulted on amendments to the Limits and Exclusions on Class 4 Venue Costs Notice 2004 to recognise that the limits in the notice are exclusive of GST.

The consultation period ended on 9 May 2008.

Minimum Equipment Standards for Jackpot Systems (07/01/2008)

The Department consulted on Minimum Equipment Standards for Jackpot Systems.

Among other matters, the document anticipated the withdrawal of all non-downloadable jackpots by 1 July 2009.

The consultation period ended on 1 February 2008. See also: Response Letter (PDF, 40K)* advising that the Department will not mandate the use of downloadable jackpots by 1 July 2009.

Proposed new gambling fees to take effect from 1 January 2008 (22/08/2007)

This document invited feedback on proposed new gambling fees to take effect from 1 January 2008: The Department also produced a Business Case, which explained in greater detail costs and reasons for the proposed fees.

The consultation period ended on 24 September 2007.

Consultation on options for a standard approach to information gathering from Class 4 Gambling Operators (06/07/2007)

This discussion document proposes a method for collecting the type of information required to meet policy and stakeholder needs in relation to exclusion orders.

It follows on from the earlier paper below.

The consultation period ended on 27 July 2007.

Establishing a standard approach to information gathering from Class 4 Gambling Operators (17/01/2007)

This paper is part of a project aimed at identifying stakeholder and Department of Internal Affairs policy information needs in relation to Class 4 gambling and recommending processes to meet those needs.

The consultation period ended on 23 February 2007.

EMS Game Rules - Consultation Document (29/01/2006)

This document sets out proposed changes to games rules as a result of the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS).

The consultation period ended on 1 February 2005.

Gambling Act 2003: Consultation on Electronic Monitoring System Fees Regulations(27/07/2005)

This consultation document invites comments on proposals to make regulations for fees to meet the costs of implementing and operating an electronic monitoring system (EMS) for Class 4 gaming machines.

The consultation period ended on 30 September 2005.

Consultation on Minimum Technical Requirements for Electronic Monitoring System (10/05/2005)

Consultation on Minimum Technical Requirements for Electronic Monitoring System (EMS).

The Department issued a consultation document to all Class 4 societies and manufacturers of gaming machines inviting comment on minimum technical standards.

The consultation period ended on 10 June 2005. Note: These proposed standards incorporated two documents published by the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation. Copies of these documents can be found at the following link: http://www.qogr.qld.gov.au/publications/technical_information/Monitoring_Systems/index.shtml

Consultation on Licensed Promoter Regulations (17/12/2004)

This consultation document invited public comments on proposals to make licensed promoter regulations under the Gambling Act 2003.

The consultation period ended on 4 February 2004.

Proposed Development of Protocol Based Third Party System Connection to Class 4 Gaming Machines (06/07/2004)

Feedback on Proposed Development of Protocol Based Third Party System Connection to Class 4 Gaming Machines.

This discussion document outlines the development of protocol based third party system connections to class 4 gaming machines.

It was sent out to manufacturers of third party equipment organisations and those short listed for the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) monitor, with the accompanying covering letter on 6 July 2004.

Submissions closed 23 July 2004.

Consultation on Minimum Standards for Gambling Equipment - Reply to Industry (30/06/2004)

Consultation on Game Rules Classes 1 to 4, Minimum Standards, and Limits on Venue Expenses (18/05/2004)

 For more information see: Letter to Gaming Machine Societies (PDF, 86K)*

Formal consultation on an Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) for Class 4 gaming machines (10/05/2004)

Formal consultation on an Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) for Class 4 gaming machines, under the terms of the Gambling Act 2003.

Consultations on different aspects of the Gambling Act 2003 (22/03/2004)

Consultations on the following aspects of the Gambling Act 2003: Proposed Infringement Offences for Casino Game Rules; Games played on Gaming Machines in Class 4 Venues - Outside Casinos; Limits on Venue Expenses; Game Rules Class 1, 2 and 3 - Lotteries, Instant Games and Games of Chance and Prize Competitions. Submissions are now closed.

Housie Rules Consultation (19/03/2004)

Following the enactment of the Gambling Act 2003, the old Housie Regulations will be repealed and replaced by new Housie Rules, which will take effect from 1 July 2004.

The purpose of this consultation document is to invite feedback on what the new Housie rules should look like: Submissions closed 16 April 2004.

Second Discussion Paper on Site Payments (22/12/2003)

The Department has been reviewing its policy and licence conditions relating to gaming machine site payments.

The following page contains two discussion papers on site payments, a draft summary of the submissions received on the first discussion paper, and the Department's interim policy on site payments:

First Discussion Paper on Site Payments Policy (23/05/2003)

The Department is reviewing the policy and licence conditions relating to the payments societies make to the businesses at which their machines are operated: Submissions closed 20 June 2003.

Consultation Guidelines

The Department has developed Consultation Guidelines on who we consult with and when/how we do it.

The guidelines also explain what consultation is and what you can expect during and after consultation.
Purpose

The business of the Gambling Compliance Group includes the development of policies, guidelines, rules, standards and licence conditions. The Gambling Act 2003 (the Act, stipulates formal consultation processes for regulatory tools such as game rules and minimum equipment and operating standards. Other policies, guidelines, administrative procedures (i.e. licensing procedures), audit processes and forms that we develop do not require a formal consultation process. However, we do often choose to consult on such matters.

The aim of this document is to provide you with information on who we consult with and when/how we do it. The document also details what consultation is and isn’t and what you can expect during and after consultation.

What consultation is

Consultation is the seeking of views, information or feedback from people or agencies that have an interest in or are affected by a policy issue.

Consultation ensures that people or groups who may be affected by a policy, rule, procedure, form or standard have an opportunity to make their views heard. This allows the policy makers to consider their views when making final decisions or recommendations.

What consultation isn't

Consultation is not the taking of instructions. When consulting, we must take into account all views and make recommendations in accordance with Government policy. There is rarely a single point of view – a complex question may have many possible answers. However, it is not always possible to reflect all views in the final policy decision. Similarly, consultation cannot be a process of ‘give and take’, negotiation or compromise. The aim is to impartially identify the best solution to a problem, irrespective of whether this favours particular interests.

Types of consultation

Consultation can be formal or informal. Formal consultation will usually take the form of a discussion document that invites submissions on issues raised in the discussion document. This type of consultation may be with combined face-to-face consultation in the form of meetings, hui, focus groups, interviews or presentations, to name a few.

Informal consultation may also consist of a discussion paper that invites submissions and face-to-face meetings. The difference between formal and informal consultation is that specific processes will apply to formal consultation (i.e. timing, who to consult and when to consult), whilst informal consultation is more flexible. Sometimes the Department will conduct informal consultation before it embarks on a formal consultation process.

When we consult

The Act states that we must formally consult before game rules, minimum standards and minimum operating standards are made. This means that when proposed rules or standards have been drafted we must seek comment on them before we finalise and formally specify them. In some circumstances, we may consult with selected stakeholders on the desirability of making particular rules or standards. This kind of consultation may occur before the formal consultation on drafted rules, or it may happen simultaneously. In relation to particularly complex issues, we may embark on a significant and potentially lengthy consultation process with a wide range of interested stakeholders.

When developing policies, guidelines and administrative procedures, audit processes or forms, we may decide to consult stakeholders, but we are not required to. However, in the interests of maintaining good relationships and obtaining the broadest and most relevant information, we will very often consult.

When issues are particularly complex or controversial we will consult earlier rather than later using a variety of consultation methods, and seek comment from a wide array of stakeholders. We will not always consult on a large scale, either because it is not appropriate or there are particular constraints that we must work within. However, we will always meet our statutory obligations.

Who we consult

In relation to game rules and standards, the Act states that we must consult with ‘those most likely to be affected’. This will vary from issue to issue, but in general it will include: gambling operators; problem gambling treatment providers; other sector interest or reference groups; lobby groups, territorial authorities; the Ministry of Health; overseas regulators; and representatives of the people most likely to be affected by the issue at hand. Often it will also be appropriate to consult with manufacturers, researchers and experts.

We make every endeavour to ensure that those we consult with who are ‘representative’ of a particular group, are indeed truly representative of that group.

In general we will consult with those people or groups:
  • We have a statutory obligation or legal requirement to consult with
  • Likely to be directly affected
  • With expert knowledge
  • Who are able to provide a unique or alternative perspective
  • Who should be consulted with as a matter of courtesy or political etiquette
  • Who are willing to be consulted
How we consult

What you can expect during the consultation process

You can expect the following from us when we consult, formally or informally:
  • Our invitation to provide comment is made in good faith – we are genuinely seeking your views
  • We will allow sufficient time for you to consider and respond. We generally allow 20 working days. In some instances, it may be appropriate to extend the consultation period, for example when an issue is particularly complex. In other instances it may be appropriate or necessary to consult over a shorter period of time
  • We will provide you with sufficient information to allow you to make an informed response
  • We will make ourselves available during the consultation period if you need more information or want to clarify anything
  • Consultation documents will:
    • Take relevant matters into account
    • Identify significant points of view
    • Be impartial
    • Present issues and analysis objectively
    • Identify, where relevant, advantages and disadvantages of particular options
    • Provide complete and fair information
    • Canvas all significant stakeholders
    • Advise people that their submissions and any information they provide are subject to the Official Information Act 1982.
What you can expect after the consultation process

As a general rule the Department will provide feedback to stakeholders on the results of consultation. This may be done by way of meetings, letters to those consulted, or publication on the DIA website. We will often invite further comment from stakeholders on ‘final’ decisions or guidelines, though we are not legally obliged to. We are more likely to do this when the matter at hand is controversial or of particularly wide interest.

In relation to minimum operating standards for casinos, we must provide the reason for our decision to the relevant casino operator.


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