SkyCity Entertainment Group of New Zealand may have its casino license suspended for at least 10 days owing to concerns about responsible gaming. The prospective suspension is the result of an application by the Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs in response to a consumer complaint dated February 2022. The complaint is about a client who gambled at SkyCity Auckland between August 2017 and February 2021.
SkyCity Casino Management Limited, the entity that operates SkyCity Hamilton, SkyCity Queenstown, and SkyCity Auckland, is accused of failing to properly comply with their responsible gambling program, known as the SkyCity Auckland Host Responsibility Program. This initiative is intended to discourage excessive gambling, particularly among people whose income is uncertain or unsustainable.
The New Zealand Gambling Commission must now determine whether to suspend SkyCity’s casino license. The corporation, on the other hand, appears to be sure that any suspension would be limited to ten days. SkyCity Entertainment Group emphasized that the ban will have no impact on its activities at SkyCity Adelaide in Australia.
Before any suspension can occur, the Gambling Commission is likely to conduct a thorough investigation, which typically involves summoning all relevant parties. This process can be lengthy, spanning several months or more. SkyCity has expressed its willingness to cooperate fully with authorities.
SkyCity Entertainment Group has affirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of host responsibility best practice, with a primary focus on minimizing the negative impacts of problem gambling. The company is determined to take necessary steps to better care for its patrons.
In addition to the responsible gambling concerns in New Zealand, SkyCity has faced challenges in Australia. In December, the Australian financial regulator, AUSTRAC, initiated civil penalty proceedings against the casino. The company is also undergoing a comprehensive review of its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) policies in response to a broader regulatory sweep in Australia aimed at ensuring compliance with gambling laws.
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