New Zealand’s SkyCity facing possible 10-day casino license suspension over “continuous play” complaint
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New Zealand’s SkyCity Entertainment Group could see its casino license temporarily suspended with the country’s Gambling Commission set to consider an application from the Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs.
SkyCity revealed to the market on Monday morning that it has been informed of the application by the Department, which relates to a February 2022 complaint from a former customer who gambled at SkyCity Auckland between August 2017 to February 2021.
In making an application to the Gambling Commission, the Secretary states that SkyCity Casino Management Limited (SCML) – the SkyCity subsidiary that holds the casino license for SkyCity Auckland, SkyCity Hamilton and SkyCity Queenstown – did not comply with requirements in its SkyCity Auckland Host Responsibility Programme relating to detection of incidences of continuous play by the customer.
“The Commission will now consider whether to make an order to suspend SCML’s casino operator’s licence and, if so, the duration of any such suspension,” SkyCity said. “A decision may not be forthcoming for a number of months.”
Any such suspension would be for a period in the range of 10 days, the company added. The suspension would not apply to SkyCity’s Australian casino, SkyCity Adelaide.
The Gambling Commission is expected to make a decision on the matter after accepting written submissions and, if necessary, convening a hearing to hear evidence from all parties.
Any suspension of SkyCity’s casino license would not impact its non-gaming operations, including hotels and restaurants, the company explained.
“SkyCity will fully cooperate with the Secretary in relation to the application and process,” it said. “Given that the application is before the Commission it would be inappropriate for SkyCity to comment further on the application and allegations at this stage.
“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. SkyCity has made, and continues to make, significant investment and enhancements in its host responsibility controls, technology and resources.”
