The Department of Internal Affairs is lodging an application for SkyCity’s casino operator’s licence to be temporarily suspended in the wake of a complaint from a customer.
A suspension “in the range of 10 days” is sought, a statement from SkyCity Entertainment Group LTD on NZX said this morning.
It would affect the company’s flagship casino in Auckland as well as SkyCity Hamilton and SkyCity Queenstown.
The Gambling Commission will rule on the application and the length of any suspension.
“A decision may not be forthcoming for a number of months,” the statement read.
It comes after a complaint in February last year. The complainant — described as a “former customer” — gambled at SkyCity’s Auckland casino between August 2017 and February 2021.
The DOIA’s secretary alleges in the application that SkyCity “did not comply with requirements in its SkyCity Auckland Host Responsibility Programme relating to detection of incidences of continuous play by the customer”.
“SkyCity will fully cooperate with the [DOIA] Secretary in relation to the application and process,” the statement 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.
“Should the Commission determine to grant an order to suspend SCML’s [SkyCity Casino Management Limited] casino operator’s licence, this would not impact SkyCity’s non-gaming operations, including its hotels and restaurants.”
