What is being proposed?

Councils need to review their Class 4 Gaming and TAB Board Venue policies on a regular basis. As part of the current review, Council is proposing to lower the cap on the number of gaming machines and venues in the Grey District by:

• Reducing the cap on the maximum number of gaming machines allowed in the district from 130 to 75; and
• Reducing the maximum number of venues from 18 to 10.

There are no other material changes proposed to the policy. A copy of the proposed combined policy and previous separate policies are available to view.

How would it work?

There are currently 67 gaming machines in the Grey District across 7 venues. With the proposed reduced cap on maximum numbers of gaming machines and venues, the total number of gaming machines and venues allowed in the district would reduce. The proposed reduced caps still provide for additional machines and venues from current.

Why is this being proposed?

Councils are required to review their Class 4 Gamingand TAB Board Venue policies regularly. The objectives of the combined policy include:

1. To ensure the community, through Council, has influence over the location and number of Class 4 Gaming venues and machines and TAB board venues within the Grey District.

2. To set restrictions on the establishment of Class 4 gaming venues, number of gaming machines and establishment of TAB board venues in the Grey District.

3. To facilitate minimisation of the harm to the community caused by gambling.

4. To allow those who wish to participate in gambling to do so in a safe and well managed environment.

Reducing the cap on the total number of gaming machines and venues within the Grey District helps Council achieve the objectives of the policy by minimising the harm of gambling in the community through reduced gaming machines and venues, whilst still providing an appropriate number of facilities for those who wish to participate in gambling. View the Full Draft Policy - Class 4 gaming and TAB Board Venues document -Click Here

What would change?

There would be no changes for existing businesses.

For new applications or relocations, the numbers of gaming machines and venues will not be able to exceed the maximum caps for the Grey District stated in the final adopted policy.

It is worth noting the Gambling Act 2003, which underpins this policy, was updated in 2023. The changes strengthened the Act’s harm minimisation framework:

• Venue staff must actively monitor gambling behaviour
• Staff must identify and respond to observable signs of harm
• Conversations and interventions must be recorded
• Infringement offences and fines apply if venues fail to comply
• Training requirements for staff and managers were clarified and strengthened