SkyCity pokie switcheroo goes public
The people can now have a say on a blackjack-to-pokies swap proposed for Hamilton’s casino.
SkyCity wants to clear out three blackjack tables, and replace them with 60 extra pokie machines – taking the total up to 399.
News of the plan stirred up opposition, including from Hamilton councillors.
The casino is turning into ‘‘a giant pokie bar’’, councillor Dave Macpherson said, and the extra machines would be the equivalent of seven new pokie bars in the city. SkyCity has said it’s an ‘‘important initiative’’ for the casino, and argues that the additional gaming machines would be offset by the tables removed.
The Gambling Commission was going to decide on the application without a public hearing, but reconsidered after some push-back.
This is the first time a casino has applied to exchange table games for more gaming machines; It can only do so if the commission decides the change is proportionate.
Hamilton City Council’s submission strongly opposes the extra pokies, and Mayor Andrew King was one of several interested parties who wrote to the commission urging public consultation.
‘‘The commission has considered the novelty of the issues and the extent of local community concern,’’ said an email sent to King during Thursday’s council meeting.
‘‘It has decided to broaden the scope for consultation and to hold a public hearing.’’
As the application is the first of its kind, it could have a bearing on any similar future applications, the commission said.
‘‘[Public consultation] is a small victory,’’ Mayor Andrew King said, ‘‘but it’s a long way to go.’’
SkyCity couldn’t have handed a better election campaign platform to candidates, Cr Dave Macpherson said.
The casino has become ‘‘a giant pokie bar’’ and council can’t regulate it, unlike with smaller pokie bars, he said.
‘‘I think 339 pokies is more than enough.’’
SkyCity welcomes a public hearing on the application to change its product mix, a statement from spokesman Colin Espiner said.
It doesn’t create extra opportunities to gamble – prohibited under the Gambling Act – because of the tables being removed, he wrote.
The move is part of a broader, yet-to-berevealed plan SkyCity has for Waikato, he wrote.
In a letter to the Gambling Commission, the company said its proposal would reduce player spaces by three, because there are 63 spaces at three blackjack tables and there would be one place at each of the 60 pokies.
In council, Cr Geoff Taylor said blackjack tables involve some kind of interaction, and he has a problem with taking them away ‘‘and replacing them with soulless pokie machines’’.
SkyCity had been developing well as an entertainment complex, he said, but the application was a blunder which put the focus back on gambling.
However, Cr Garry Mallett said SkyCity was privately owned, ‘‘regulated to hell’’ and its survival – and licence – depended on following the rules.
All four submitters in city council’s public forum opposed SkyCity’s application, focusing on gambling harm and the addiction pokies can fuel.
Councillors voted 11-1 to submit their strong opposition to the SkyCity proposal.
Cr Mallett voted against, and Cr Paula Southgate was absent.
A date has not yet been set for the public hearing.