31 March 2020
In this issue:
- Class 4 licensing and fees during C4 inactivity
- Class 1-3 gambling for fundraising and COVID-19
- COVID-19 updates
Kia ora koutou,
I hope that you and your teams are well and adapting to these new and strange circumstances. I know you are facing significant challenges in your organisations, your communities and in your homes.
The Department, and more particularly the Gambling team, acknowledge that there are a range of impacts on the nature and volume of gambling activity in New Zealand and significant implications for those of you working in a range of roles across the sector.
Below are some of the actions we’re taking to reduce the immediate uncertainty and address some of your concerns in the short-term. We are continuing to monitor developments closely, assess potential impacts for the gambling system and work with our policy colleagues to identify options available to provide a longer-term response.
DIA is part of the wider Government efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and reduce its impact. Across Government, staff are being redeployed to support essential and critical functions, and over the next few weeks, many of our Gambling staff are likely to be involved in this all-of-Government response. We will retain a core team, and be communicating with you throughout this period of uncertainty.
Keeping individuals, families and our communities safe and healthy is our priority at this time. Stay safe.
Lisa Docherty, Director Gambling Regulatory System
Class 4 licensing and fees during C4 inactivity
DIA acknowledges the immediate pressures facing the gambling sector, as a result of the Government’s decision to move to a level 4 emergency response to COVID-19.
The immediate consequence of the Government’s Alert Level 4 for the Class 4 (C4) gambling sector is that all C4 gambling venues are now closed. The shutdown period is currently 4 weeks, but it is unknown whether this period will be extended, and if so for how long.
The Department will be implementing the following measures in the short term, to provide the C4 sector with some relief from financial and regulatory pressures and ensure that appropriate regulatory oversight continues:
- Automatically extending all C4 operator, venue and club licences for which a renewal application has been made for an initial period of twelve weeks beyond expiry date, with flexibility to extend this period or respond to future COVID-19 risk levels as required.
- Payment of renewal fees to be deferred, for an initial period of twelve weeks beyond expiry date, with flexibility to extend this period or respond to future COVID-19 risk levels as required.
- Extending the licence period for any new venue, operator’s and club licences to 15 months, with flexibility to extend this period or respond to future COVID-19 risk levels as required.
- Allowing payment for any new fees to be paid in instalments, with the first instalment due six months after the licence is issued, with future instalments to be determined at a later date.
- Deferring all application and licence fee invoicing for an initial period of twelve weeks, with flexibility to extend this period or respond to future COVID-19 risk levels as required.
As the full impacts of COVID-19 and the shut-down period become apparent, the Department will be assessing what further action might be taken. This may include legislative and regulatory options that can only be progressed once a semblance of usual Government business has been restored.
Class 1-3 gambling for fundraising and COVID-19
Community groups which have been planning or are in the process of fundraising through the sale of raffle tickets and other forms of gambling, must stop selling tickets and hosting events.
COVID-19 updates
We will continue to monitor the situation and and will be updating questions and answers as required and updating DIA’s Gambling website regularly.
If you have any specific questions, please email gambling.compliance@dia.govt.nz
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