SkyCity Hamilton offers a twice weekly bus service for pensioners who want to visit the casino. Many seniors take advantage of the bus service, looking for something fun and exciting to do during the week. However, not everyone likes the idea of a casino bus service for pensioners, and the NZ Problem Gambling Foundation has spoken out on the issue.
According to the foundation, the casino bus encourages vulnerable individuals to gamble. As senior citizens may not be able to afford gambling activities, the organization believes that it is harmful for a casino operator to transport them to a casino several times per week.
“If you have something like a free bus service taking people to the casino there needs to be safeguards in place,” says Roger Taylor of anti-gambling organization U3A.
However, SkyCity does not see the harm in doing so. The casino operator believes that a casino bus is no different from a pub bus or transportation service to any other gambling venue. Plenty of tour companies and casinos across the country offer similar services, and SkyCity does not believe that it should be penalized for a service that aims to benefit senior citizens.
