Welcome back to E-Line Gaming, this month's issue features a number of updates that involves the Association's discussions with particular stakeholders that has signalled some developments towards a closer relationship with hospitality operators and their role in the gaming sector!
We encourage all venue gaming operators to read this issue while we look forward to bringing you further updates of gaming sector as they come to hand!
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) have announced a signed heads of agreement with Intralot NZ Ltd for an integrated gambling platform (IGP) that will balance the proven electronic monitoring system (EMS) of 19,000 non-casino gaming machines and enhance compliance capabilities further.
Internal Affairs Director of Gambling Compliance Mike Hill said the integrated on-line system that manages all gambling activity in New Zealand’s 1,470 pubs and clubs will improve the integrity of the class 4 gambling sector and the transparency of grants to the community.
Despite the comments this change is more about the grants process and the trusts as venue machines are already electronically monitored.
The first results of this system will be seen next year when the DIA and the gambling sector move from a paper-based licensing system to electronic licensing.
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In April, HANZ CEO, Bruce Robertson attended the Gaming Expo held at SKYCity in Auckland and addressed representatives of the gaming industry on current gaming issues, calling for unity across the sector. A copy of Bruce’s speech can be viewed by clicking here.
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The Community Gaming Association hosted the What Now? Conference and convened at the Brentwood Hotel in Kilbirnie Wellington.
Minister of Internal Affairs, Nathan Guy delivered a hard message via DVD to all Gaming Trusts and attendees of the Conference advising them to ‘pull your socks up and prove you can all comply with the law’. The message was received not long after the time where the Gambling Commission had suspended the licence for the Southern Trust and the Trusts Charitable Foundation. This signals a continuing tightening of the operations within the gaming sector.
It was understood that 35 trusts are being investigated by the DIA with their licence renewals being at risk. The latest Department of Internal Affairs audit report on Lion Foundation released under the Official Information Act and an anticipated suspicion is an example of this. It would appear that similar reports on other Trusts are likely.
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The Department of Internal Affairs cost categorisation process continues to impact negatively on venues with many reporting a drop in payments. The Minister of Internal Affairs continues to rule out any legislation in this term which would provide for a commission based payment system.
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As a result of the initial introduction of the revised commission rates and unanimous outraged response from members and fellow hospitality operators alike, a number of consultations, meetings and discussions took place - including last year’s Gaming and Entertainment Forum. TAB has taken in all feedback received and have now come back with a revised strategic direction of the new TAB Agreement and fee scale.
The new Agreement is just one element of a new strategic direction being taken by the TAB, which involves a much closer relationship with those of us in the hospitality trade. This closer relationship involves significant investment in the PubTAB network over the next 3 to 5 years and full details will be sent to out to members within the next couple of weeks.
The HANZ Board, and the group of TAB operators that met with the TAB, have had the opportunity to influence the shape of that new relationship, and in the view of HANZ CEO, Bruce Robertson the new direction is a significant improvement from the situation faced at the end of 2009.
The new Agreement itself addresses a number of issues that HANZ raised with the TAB, and sensible compromises have been reached around key points of concern such as reducing costs to operators, the staff betting provisions, and the impracticality of keeping TAB and pub monies separate.
Unfortunately the new fee structure still represents a cut in fees from the pre-August 2009 arrangements, however the overall impact is less stringent and the fee model itself much more transparent and more balanced than the changes introduced in August 2009. It is clear that the TAB have listened to the representations that HANZ and individual publicans made.
Because of the time that has been taken to develop the new strategy and the desire of the TAB to discuss the changes with HANZ, and to ensure that the HANZ Board were happy with it, the time scale for the renewal process has been somewhat squeezed; but in the view of HANZ CEO, Bruce Robertson the new Agreement marks a significant step forward in the relationship between the two organisations.
This new offer is an improvement on what was put in place last year and with the investment the TAB are going to make in improving the presentation of the product, revenue gains from growth should be more readily achieved. This with cost savings from a reduced need for paper and more operational flexibility provides an opportunity for both the TAB and Operators to be better off when the strategy is fully implemented.
NZ Racing Board Chief Executive, Andrew Brown will front the TAB at the National Gaming and Entertainment Forum that will be hosted at SKYCity in Auckland as part of Hospitality Showcase 28 to 30 September 2010.
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This will be the 9th National Gaming and Entertainment Forum to take place on Tuesday 28 September with the Hon Gerry Brownlee opening the forum on the Rugby World Cup. Martin Sneddon and Leon Grice will add to this while Hilary Souter talks about the do’s and dont’s of marketing around Rugby World Cup Events.
Mike Hill will front for the Department of Internal Affairs and Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne will close this session.
The ServiceLine July issue will include a registration form and a detailed programme for this year’s Hospitality Showcase. All registrations must be received before 1 September to avoid charges of a non-member rate. Put Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 September in your diary now and we look forward to seeing you all there and hearing what you have to say!
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Continued protests against pokie machines in the community has reached the Auckland media with the recent report of veteran protester John Minto seeking 200 people to sign up to take hammers and smash pokie machines.
While there are concerns in the community and guidelines in the gaming sector to reduce harm, such actions suggested or followed through by any persons will not be accepted. Any publican faced with such threats of wilful damage to their machines should not hesitate to call the Police immediately. Persons taking any action in this regard will find themselves locked up or charged with threatening behaviour.
Please click here to read the full NZ Herald article.
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We are pleased to introduce three new information resources to our suite of employment resources and revisions to three popular existing resources. New resources include information and advice on dealing with ending employment on medical grounds or incapacity, managing the performance of employees and a template policy on drug and alcohol use and the workplace.
In addition, the existing employment resources on trial period employment, sexual harassment and the HANZ model House Rules have all been revised and should enhance the resources that now number some 60+ practical information resources on a wide range of industry topics all written from an industry employer’s perspective including a range of model employment agreements and letter templates. Why not take this opportunity to do an audit of staffing documentation.
The new resources may be accessed with your membership no. and password by clicking here, or by calling the HANZ National Service Centre or your HANZ Regional Manager on 0800 500 503.
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This month kick starts a number of Branch AGMs that will continue until mid-August with HANZ President, Bill McLean and HANZ CEO, Bruce Robertson attending as many AGMs and catching up with members. We encourage all members to attend their scheduled Branch AGM and send in nominations as requested by your Regional Branch Secretary.
As a reminder you will receive an invitation from your Regional Branch Secretary with details of your Branch AGM and an opportunity to catch up with fellow branch members. Please click here to view the full timetable of the Branch AGMs for 2010. Look forward to seeing you there!
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The Association would like to thank all members who participated in this year’s remuneration survey. In May we received over 400 responses from HANZ members with a total of over 700 responses in conjunction with the Restaurant Association that covered 719 premises employing 9,928 staff, an average of 14.
By now you would have received the Remuneration Survey Special E-Line advising you of the survey results with a more in depth report of rates specific to your region. Due the sensitivity of the remuneration survey, you will only be able to access the final survey reports with your membership no. and password by clicking here.
Contact the HANZ National Service Centre or your Regional Manager on 0800 500 503 if you need any help.
Go to your regional update and find out about local events, awards and the great advocacy work that has taken place.
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To keep yourself up to date, please visit the current sector issues of E-line Food and Beverage, E-Line Accommodation or read previous E-Line issues you may have missed!
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