Pokies in Tasman

The Tasman region has no licensed casino. It hosts 9 DIA-licensed pokie venues across Motueka, Richmond, Wakefield, Tākaka, and smaller rural towns, running a combined ~130 pokies machines under the Gambling Act 2003. Tasman is one of New Zealand’s smaller regions by both land area and pokie-venue count.

Is There a Licensed Casino in the Tasman Region?

No. Tasman residents and visitors travel to Christchurch Casino for the nearest licensed casino — a 5-hour drive south via Lewis Pass, or a short flight from Nelson Airport. The Gambling Act 2003 caps national casino licences at six and none sit in Tasman. All DIA-licensed venues in the region are Class 4 pokie venues hosted in pubs and clubs.

Which Towns in Tasman Have Pokie Venues?

Richmond, Motueka, and Wakefield each host small pokie-venue clusters — typically 1 to 3 venues per township. The Tasman District council area also picks up Murchison, Tākaka in Golden Bay, and Tapawera. Nelson city — the dominant pokies hub for the top-of-the-South-Island area — is a separate region immediately adjacent; see the Nelson region directory for its additional 9 venues.

Licensing and Regulation in Tasman

All pokie venues in the Tasman region operate under Class 4 licences issued by the Department of Internal Affairs under the Gambling Act 2003. Territorial consent sits with Tasman District Council, which runs its own Class 4 venue policy. The $2.50 per-spin stake cap and 18-machine-per-venue cap apply across every licensed venue.

Play Responsibly in Tasman

If gambling is affecting you or someone close to you in the Tasman region, call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 — free, confidential, and available 24/7 from anywhere in New Zealand. The Problem Gambling Foundation delivers counselling and harm-reduction services across the top-of-the-South-Island area, including Motueka, Richmond, and Tākaka. Every licensed pokie venue must display Gambling Helpline signage on the gaming floor and support single-venue self-exclusion on request. See responsible gambling for the full list of services.