Rachael Kelly17:08, May 04 2021
John Selkirk/Stuff
Money laundering claims concerns the Gore District Council as it reviews its draft gambling policy and TAB venues policy. [File photo].
The chairman of the Hokonui Rūnanga says he was not aware of a submission his organisation made which claims money laundering may be happening in the Gore District by organised crime. The claim was made by the Rūnanga in a submission to the Gore District Council’s Draft Gambling Policy and TAB Venues Policy, which will be heard next week. But chairman Terry Nicholas said he was not aware of the submission, written by staff member Joann Brand, which said ‘’there seems to be a link between P users and gambling practices which indicates a money laundering process may also be employed by organised crime locally.’’
Ōtorohanga s bid to change its gambling policy is being opposed by the Problem Gambling Foundation and Waikato District Health Board.
Photo: RNZ
Ōtorohanga District Council voted to change from the former sinking lid policy in October 2020 during the required three-yearly review of the gambling policy.
Councillors decided to change to a controlled increase in venues policy which gives the council the ability to look at any new proposals for venues on a case-by-case basis. It s one of the worst policy proposals we have heard of, Problem Gambling Foundation Group marketing and communications director Andree Froude said. For a start, it completely contravenes the Gambling Act because what they [the council] are wanting to do is increase the growth of gambling, which completely goes against the spirit of the Act.