The Dept of Internal Affairs (DIA) is concerned about the number of potentially illegal gambling activities being planned or underway around the country.

The DIA has received a number of inquiries lately about pubs and clubs using gambling activities to prop up their business.

Venues are making arrangements with specialist entrepreneurs, who offer to run gambling activities such as poker games with additional games of chance or lotteries for a fee.

Club Managers should be reminded that if they want to run gambling activities they need to follow the relevant legislation and game rules. They risk heavy penalties if they breach the laws under the Gambling Act 2003.

As a general rule, gambling activities outside of casinos can only be conducted in New Zealand if the purpose is to raise funds for the community. There are some exceptions to this general rule for private or low level gambling activity but there are strict rules associated with this.

A gambling licence from the DIA is not needed unless the total value of the prizes and / or the turnover exceeds certain limits - but it is best to check the rules for each gambling activity.

(SOURCE: Dept of Internal Affairs: Gambits June 2010)

Again this highlights the need to b vigilant when conducting any type of gambling in a club and look at the overall picture, including the responsibilities involved with holding a Class 4 Operating and Venue Licence. Clubs need to ensure all other forms of gambling, no matter how small, on the club premises doesn't put their Class 4 licence in jeopardy.

There are different rules and guidelines for Clubs running their own poker events as to outside societies or entrepreneurs. Clubs New Zealand has provided clubs with this information previously and it is available on request. Clubs that use outside agencies to run Texas Hold'em Poker should be aware of the differences.