New Zealand’s Kāpiti Retains Pokies Limits as Annual Losses Reach NZ$8m

New Zealand’s Kāpiti Coast District Council has voted to retain its restrictions on pokie venues and machines following a three-yearly policy review. The decision keeps the district’s sinking lid approach, which prevents new Class 4 gambling venues, additional gaming machines and new standalone TAB venues. Announced on 3 November, the outcome comes as reported gaming machine profits reached NZ$8 million in 2025, even though the number of venues and machines has remained unchanged since 2023.

Venue Numbers Stay Flat as Losses Rise

Kāpiti has 11 Class 4 venues operating 184 machines. Reported gaming machine profits increased from NZ$7.84 million in 2024 to NZ$8 million in 2025, a rise of about 2%.

In this context, gaming machine profits represent player spending after winnings are paid back. The figure should not be confused with an operator’s final profit after expenses.

Strategy and Policy Committee Chair Liz Koh said the council wanted to maintain its limits.

Venue and machine numbers haven’t grown, and we want to keep it that way

The figures show that keeping machine numbers steady does not necessarily reduce the total amount players lose.

How the Sinking Lid Policy Works

The council adopted its comprehensive sinking lid policy in December 2023. Under the approach, venues or machines that leave the market cannot simply be replaced by new ones.

Its published policy also prevents Class 4 venue relocations and club mergers involving gaming lounges. This means operators cannot use those routes to move or consolidate machines elsewhere in the district.

Existing venues are not required to close simply because the council has retained the policy. Instead, a sinking lid can reduce the number of venues and pokie machines over time as businesses close or stop offering gambling.

Class 4 gambling covers gaming machines outside casinos, commonly found in pubs and clubs. The policy concerns those premises and standalone TAB venues.

Local Controls Remain in Place

The review found the gambling policy remained fit for purpose. Retaining it gives existing operators certainty while keeping restrictions on further expansion.

Kāpiti’s decision follows wider debate about how councils should manage local gambling access. Casino.com previously covered Christchurch’s review of its pokie venue policy, which also examined whether existing restrictions should remain.

Councils set local policies on the number and location of Class 4 venues. Kāpiti’s council says it does not decide how gaming societies distribute community funding.

For residents, the latest decision preserves the existing approach. The council can continue limiting the availability of additional machines, although the latest spending figures show why venue numbers and gambling losses need to be considered separately.