Casino loses pokie gamble
A bid by the SkyCity Hamilton casino to swap three blackjack tables for 60 more gaming machines has been shot down by the Gambling Commission.
In a decision released this week, the commission declined the application on the basis it ‘‘would have the effect of permitting an increase in opportunities for casino gambling’’.
It was a decision hailed as ‘‘a victory for Hamilton and people power’’ by former Hamilton mayor Andrew King, one of the prominent opponents to the casino’s
SkyCity’s application – seen as a test case for the industry – would have allowed it to increase its electronic gaming machine (EGM) numbers at the casino by 60 to 399, and reduce the amount of blackjack tables it had by three from 23 to 20.
It was in December 2018 when the casino’s management applied for the variation to the business’ casino operator’s licence, prompting a chorus of opposition in the process.
The commission received 242 submissions on the proposal, just nine of which were in support.
Among the organisations weighing in with arguments against the proposal were the Hamilton City Council, the Problem Gambling Foundation, Salvation Army Oasis and the Anglican Action Mission Trust.
A public hearing took place in Hamilton in November and, following a lengthy deliberation, the four-strong team of commissioners came to their verdict last month, before publicly notifying that decision on Thursday.
‘‘The proposed amendments to the licence conditions involved an opportunities substitution which was not proportionate and which would have the effect of permitting an increase in opportunities for casino gambling,’’ the decision declared.
While ‘‘electronic gaming machines and blackjack were of a similar inherent harmfulness ... any increase in harm would likely be the result of greater utilisation of the new EGMs compared to the removed blackjack tables’’.
Factors that the commissioners opted not to take into consideration included: ‘‘the likely utilisation of the opportunities’’; as well as the average wage size; the risk of harm; and community views.
‘‘As has been the case in previous applications before the commission, the comparison principally involved an assessment of player spaces and game speeds.’’
King declared the verdict ‘‘a very good decision that will prevent harm to Hamilton Kirikiriroa’’.
He wanted to thank the previous council for their support of his opposition, as well as former Hamilton District Court judge David Wilson and Anglican Archbishop Sir David Moxon ‘‘who got in behind it and drove it’’.
‘‘The decision reinforces the law that there is to be no increase in gambling in New Zealand.
‘‘It is a victory for Hamilton and people power and the hundreds of people who got in behind it.’’
Had SkyCity’s application been granted, it would have allowed ‘‘all the casinos around New Zealand to have run amok’’.
‘‘Some people who go to SkyCity can afford it, but it is the people who go there trying to get lucky when they are down and out is who I feel for. The odds are always stacked against them.’’
SkyCity have 10 days to appeal the decision.
SkyCity external communications manager Kate Gourdie issued a brief statement in response to a request for comment:
‘‘Whilst we are disappointed with the decision, we are currently reviewing it to determine if any next steps will be taken.’’