318Process for developing integrated problem gambling strategy

1. The department that has responsibility for implementing the problem gambling strategy must do the following things in developing the strategy:

2. undertake a needs assessment; and
3. prepare a strategy in draft; and
4. develop costings for the draft strategy; and
5. in the case of the initial levy period, estimate the costs of the department that has responsibility for the integrated problem gambling strategy during the transition to the strategy in the period before the introduction of the initial levy; and
6. take into account any under-recovery or over-recovery of levy (gambling sector by gambling sector) in previous levy periods; and
7. estimate annual funding requirements for the strategy for a 3-year period; and
8. estimate, using the formula set out in section 320, levy rates for each gambling sector liable to pay the levy; and
9. consult on the matters outlined in paragraphs (a) to (g) with—
   1. at least 1 representative of corporate societies licensed to operate gaming machines in commercial venues; and
   2. at least 1 representative of corporate societies licensed to operate gaming machines in non-commercial venues; and
   3. at least 1 representative of casino licence holders; and
   4. TAB NZ; and
   5. the New Zealand Lotteries Commission; and
   6. representatives of the providers of problem gambling services; and
   7. any other groups it believes are likely to be affected significantly by the proposed strategy.

10. The department responsible for the integrated problem gambling strategy must then submit the proposed strategy and the proposed levy rates to the Gambling Commission and the responsible Ministers.

11. On receipt of the proposed integrated problem gambling strategy and the proposed levy rates, the Gambling Commission, or its expert representative, must convene a meeting to consult on the strategy and the rates.

12. At a minimum, the following persons must be requested to attend the meeting referred to in subsection (3):

13. the department responsible for the integrated problem gambling strategy:
14. the department responsible for the administration of this Act:
15. 1 or more representatives of gambling operators who will be subject to the levy:
16. 1 or more representatives of providers of problem gambling services:
17. 1 or more representatives of any other groups the Gambling Commission believes are likely to be significantly affected.

18. Within 10 working days of the meeting convened under subsection (3), the Gambling Commission must submit a report to the responsible Ministers making recommendations on the total annual amount of the problem gambling levy for the relevant 3-year period and the levy rate for each gambling sector or each gambling operator or each class of gambling operator that is subject to the levy.

19. To avoid doubt, the Gambling Commission may engage an expert under subsection (3) in any area that it considers relevant (for example, facilitation or mediation).