After concerns raised

mission’s decision said it had rushed through permission on economic grounds, saying Skycity faced a ‘‘softer and evolving market’’. Table games are more expensive to run, as they take up much more staff time than pokies.

The casino had earlier explained the move was to ‘‘provide operational flexibility in the uncertain environment arising from the Covid-19 crisis.’’

Problem Gambling Foundation chief executive Paula

Snowden, who planned to oppose the change to Condition 8, said: ‘‘What a relief for everyone who was worried about what it would do to the people who have problems with gambling.

‘‘Thank goodness that commonsense has prevailed. This is not in the New Zealand public health interest, nor it is in the interests of Covid-19 recovery.

‘‘It could be perceived that Skycity are doing the right thing at least.’’

Snowden had attacked the commission as ‘‘absolutely incompetent’’ for granting the Hamilton and Queenstown variations without consulting them or other interested parties, or publicising the decision. Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said she didn’t know about the decision and said the process ‘‘doesn’t sit well with me’’.

Snowden also said the commission showed ‘‘flagrant disregard’’ for the Gambling Act, which says regulators must try to minimise public harm.