Galaxy loses pokie licence

20 September 2012

Pokie machines at Otara’s Galaxy Function Centre have been shut down after the Gambling Commission yesterday confirmed Internal Affairs’ decision to cancel the venue’s gaming machine licence.

The Department cancelled the gambling licence in May because it considered the venue was being used mainly for the operation of gaming machines. The venue operator, KTJ Investments Ltd, appealed the decision to the Gambling Commission and the law allowed it to continue operating the venue’s 18 gaming machines in the interim.

The Department submitted that gaming turnover greatly exceeded bar sales and Galaxy’s business would not be sustainable without the revenue it received under its venue agreement with gaming machine operator The Lion Foundation.

The Commission said each time the Department or Police visited Galaxy, gaming machine patrons often considerably outnumbered other patrons. The degree of non-compliance was substantial and suspension of the licence was not a practical remedy.

Regulatory Services General Manager, Maarten Quivooy, said the Commission's decision endorsed the enforcement action the Department took after a thorough and lengthy investigation.

"This case demonstrated that the Department will actively pursue and prosecute non-compliance which is deliberate and harmful to communities," he said.

Media contact:

Trevor Henry, senior communications adviser, Department of Internal Affairs
Ph 04 495 7211; cell 021 245 8642