A decision on how best to go about reviewing its gambling policy will be required of councillors this week.
The gambling act requires the council to review its gambling venues policy within three years of its adoption, meaning the review will have to take place by March 22, 2010.

The council is faced with two options, a formal study that will cost $20,000 to $50,000 and will have to start next month – or it can decide to conduct a very brief review and make no changes.
The staff report on the issue warns the council may be forced to spend money, because of its own policy, which states:
'Council will review the social and economic impact of gaming on the Tauranga community and consider such impacts in any review of this policy that is undertaken.”
The last study was done at no cost to council by inviting submissions from parties interested in the effects of problem gambling.
The staff require a decision on how best to regard the social impacts of gambling within the city, guidance which is not available within the Gambling Act.