The Department of Internal Affairs has advised SkyCity that an application has been made to suspend its casino license amidst reports it has neglected its responsibility as a casino operator.
The suspension is expected to be in the range of ten days, and will affect SkyCity Casino Management’s license for its Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown locations.
General manager of regulatory services at the Department of Internal Affairs, John Sneyd, said that the gambling commission will independently determine whether SkyCity had breached its legal obligations, and whether to order a license suspension.
“The Secretary (for Internal Affairs) believes SkyCity has breached important harm-minimisation obligations, including conditions of its licence and conditions of its Host Responsibility Programme relating to instances of long-play by its customers. This is an ongoing process, and the Department and SkyCity will both make submissions to the Gambling Commission. It is the Commission’s role to consider the circumstances of the case and to determine what action, if any, is appropriate,” said Sneyd.
The matter arose following a complaint from a former customer, who alleges she had gambled for 18 straight hours at SkyCity’s Auckland Casino without intervention. The customer is said to have visited the casino on multiple occasions between August 2017 and February 2021.
A spokesperson for SkyCity said that if its gambling license is suspended, it will not impact the non-gaming operations, including its hotels and restaurants.
"SkyCity is committed to maintaining the highest standards of host responsibility best practice, with priority given to minimising the impacts associated with problem gambling as an area of primary focus," they said.
The Department of Internal Affairs said that it takes gambling harm minimisation seriously, and will take firm action when licensed operators do not abide by the conditions of their licences. The department also continues to regularly conduct audits and monitor all New Zealand casinos to ensure they have the appropriate processes and fulfil their obligations and responsibilities.
Sneyd added that the Department of Internal Affairs has a responsibility to keep New Zealand safe by ensuring that gambling is run by trusted operators. Minimal harm to gamblers, including problem gambling, is a priority for the department.
SkyCity said that it is committed to maintaining the highest standards of host responsibility best practices, and said that it will fully co-operate with the secretary in relation to the application and process. Given that the application is before the commission, SkyCity refused to comment further.
