Who is responsible?
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The Ministry of Health is responsible for preventing gambling harm and providing help services for problem gamblers.
Find out more about the ministry's role in relation to gambling on their website. -
The Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for the regulation of gambling.
Their website has information about the legislation of gambling and offers lots of different statistics on gambling in New Zealand. Get gambling facts from the Department of Internal Affairs's website. -
Your local council determines the number of pokie machines and TABs in your area.
Communities can get involved in decisions about the availability of gambling. Your local council will have a policy for gambling venues in your area and it gets reviewed regularly. All new pokie and TAB venues need to be approved by the council.
For information and support on how to "have your say" contact David Coom at the Problem Gambling Foundation. Send David an email (david.coom@pgfnz.org.nz) OR call their toll free number: 0800-664 262.
Your local council should also be able to provide you with information on their current gambling policy and when their regular review will be undertaken.
Read about a community that made a difference
Concerned about a pokie or TAB venue in your area?
You can make a complaint by contacting the Department of Internal Affairs gaming compliance unit. Email the gaming compliance unit (gaming.compliance@dia.govt.nz)
Is your local pokie bar playing by the rules?
Gambling Watch provides information for individuals and communities who are concerned about gambling. They produce a checklist for making sure your local pokie bar is playing by the rules.