135Process for determining applications for renewal

1. After receiving an application for renewal of a casino venue licence, the Gambling Commission must do the following things, although not necessarily in the order given:

2. investigate the applicant and persons with a significant influence under section 125 to determine whether they—
   1. are suitable, in terms of section 124; and
   2. have complied with this Act and previous gaming Acts and regulations made under them:
3. give public notice of the application:
4. by public notice, invite written submissions on the application:
5. by public notice, invite people who wish to appear and be heard at a public hearing to apply to the Gambling Commission for authorisation:
6. give public notice of the commencement of hearings, and of how people may find out where and when hearings are to be held:
7. make available for public inspection, subject to any agreement between the applicant and the Gambling Commission regarding confidentiality, copies of the application, any amendments to it, the casino impact report, and any other relevant documentation:
8. conduct a public hearing of the application at which evidence of the parties is heard and parties may examine and cross-examine witnesses:
9. give public notice of the decision of the Gambling Commission:
10. make copies of the decision available to the public.

11. The Gambling Commission may require the Secretary to report to it on the matters referred to in subsection (1)(a) as part of its investigation under that paragraph.

12. Subsection (1) sets out the minimum that the Gambling Commission must do to determine an application for renewal of a casino venue licence, but the Gambling Commission may take additional steps, or repeat or combine processes, as the Gambling Commission considers appropriate.

13. Persons or groups who satisfy the Gambling Commission that they represent a section of the community in which the casino is located are entitled to appear and be heard at the public hearing of the application in person or by counsel or agent.

14. In giving public notice under subsection (1), it is sufficient for the Gambling Commission to publish the notice twice, at intervals of not more than 14 days, in a major newspaper circulating in the locality of the casino to which the application relates.