Attention Clubs New Zealand Members

Clubs New Zealand has recently been informed by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) that they have completed consultation concerning downloadable jackpots over the last two years. The DIA states that having carefully considered the views and issues raised during the first and second round of submissions on costs and harm minimisation, they have determined that all new jackpots must be downloadable from 2 December 2010. Existing licensed non-downloadable jackpots may continue to operate until 1 December 2015.

The consultation was aimed at resolving issues related to non-downloadable jackpots including the information able to be provided on player information displays (PIDS) and also the need for jackpots to be directly compatible with EMS.

An initial proposal to mandate downloadable jackpots from 1 July 2009 did not proceed because of issues of harm minimisation, timing and costs at the same time the sector was gearing up for PIDs implementation.

It is clear that the DIA has been unable to overcome the harm minimisation issues that Clubs New Zealand raised in both of our submissions and the DIA could not even implement their proposed lock-up mechanism for a $600 credit level as it is not technically feasible.

Clubs New Zealand is disappointed that the DIA has decided to continue with the changes to the minimum equipment standards for class 4 jackpots without taking into account the harm that this may bring to our members. We are also concerned that yet more compliance cost will be brought to bear on our clubs over the next five years.

Downloadable jackpots provide our members with the ability to continually download winning jackpot credits and play them off without having to manually collect the winnings. This has the possibility of bringing extreme harm to our members and goes against the harm minimisation requirements of the Gambling Act 2003.

Clubs New Zealand will be meeting with the DIA on 7th December 2010 to discuss the changes to the minimum equipment standards for class 4 jackpots.