Pubs would struggle to make a profit these days without poker machines, say a Palmerston North couple looking to build a tavern complex in the city.
Vivien Wilson, co-owner of Cress Holdings, said the proposed Kaimanawa Tavern needed a gambling machine licence to ensure its viability.
"Most bars have them now. It's
hard to make a profit without them."
Mrs Wilson and her husband, Peter, were among those who made submissions to a Palmerston North City Council hearing on proposed rules for poker machines in the city.
The 2003 Gambling Act makes local authorities responsible for "Class 4" gambling venues such as pokie bars and TABs.
Councils have to decide how many venues a city or town will have and who will have them.
The Wilsons are proposing a large, $1.4 million tavern complex with a TAB, off-licence, restaurant and lunch bar, and are seeking council permission to run a nine-pokie casino.
The council wants to cap the number of pokies in the city at 380 machines. Premises would be limited to nine machines each.
The new legislation does not apply to premises licensed before October 17, 2001.
All pokies will have to be on licensed or TAB premises and must be within either the inner or outer business zone or the recreation zone.
They cannot be sited within 100m of a school.
MidCentral Health's submission noted that the "ill-effects of gambling were not equitably distributed".
The council will finalise the regulations on March 8.
- NZPA
