69557 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Internal Affairs

69557 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter April to June 2024 on the action area ‘Ensure gambling operators are effectively preventing and minimising harm from gambling, and support the improvement of harm minimisation practices’ under ‘Objective 3: Strengthen leadership and accountability to achieve equity’ within the Ministry of Health’s Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm 2022/23 to 2024/25?

Hon Brooke van Velden: I am advised by the Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) that, in the quarter April to June 2024, it has continued its risk-based inspections of class 4 gambling venues, with a focus on the venues’ new harm minimisation obligations. Where non-compliance was found, the Department has taken appropriate compliance action. This includes recommending remedial actions to ensure compliance, and the development of best-practice policies and templates. The Department is currently assessing whether the recommended remedial actions have been taken by individual operators. Where they have not, appropriate enforcement action will be taken.