Tighter restrictions are not needed in its gambling venue policy, the Central Otago District Council has decided.
The public will have a chance to air their views during a review of the policy.
Central Otago deputy mayor Neil Gillespie said there did not seem to be ''huge issues'' in the community with gambling but Cr Stephen Jeffery disputed that at a recent meeting. He said he believed there were residents with gambling issues.
Council environmental health officer Ray Applegarth said the number of gaming machines was decreasing.
Although 157 poker machines were permitted in Central Otago, only 133 were in operation. The introduction of new laws in 2004 aimed at reducing gambling harm had increased compliance costs and that was one of the key factors in the declining number of pokies, he said.
