Sky City Partners With HP In Three NZ Cities

Even in the land-based gambling market, there is a huge demand for sophisticated technological software for players. Local casino operator Sky City has decided to meet this demand by teaming up with HP to offer players some great new computer systems to take advantage of while they play, and the new services are expected to change the country’s gambling market.

One of the biggest changes that Sky City Auckland, Queenstown and Hamilton will experience is the introduction of wireless internet throughout the casino. Even in their hotel rooms, players will have access to wireless internet capability so they can catch up on emails and even play some online poker when they’ve tired of the gaming floor.

VIP members are also given the added option of being able to set betting limits. Players with loyalty cards can now take part in ‘voluntary pre-commitment’ programs, much like the systems that the Australian government is considering implementing. When players approach their limits, warning messages appear on the screen to let them know. Allowing players to limit how much they spend before they play is believed to help curb problem gambling numbers across the country.

New Live Dealer Games at InterCasino

InterCasino online casino is one of the top online gambling websites out there today. It is well-known for meeting customer demands and knowing exactly what it takes to keep players interested and engaged. This month, the casino operator has decided to appeal to a different audience with the launch of its new Live Dealer selection, which will certainly attract more players to this world-class website.

If you’re not already familiar with Live Dealer games, these are online casino games that are played with real dealers rather than computer software. Rather than having a random number generator determine the outcome, a dealer (broadcasted via webcam) shuffles the cards or spins the roulette wheel.

At InterCasino, there are a number of benefits for its new Live Dealer selection. Players can select which dealer they would like to play with and they can chat with them while the game is taking place. Each table has different betting levels, so players with a wide range of bankrolls can take part in this innovative gaming offering. Players should also take note that there is a wide availability of live dealers, so you will never be waiting very long for a table!

Councils Mull Sinking Lid Policy

In New Zealand, politicians are getting tough on poker machines. In addition to the introduction of the new Harm Reduction Bill, city councils want to introduce sinking lid policies to further reduce the number of pokies in their jurisdictions. Auckland City Council is currently in the process of hammering out the details of its own sinking lid policy, which put strict limits on how many poker machines can exist in the area.

As it stands, local councillors have voted for the strictest option. They have requested that, in addition to reducing the number of poker machines over time, the sinking lid policy should also prohibit poker machines from being moved. This means that venues that have relocated cannot bring their pokies with them and venues cannot sell their machines to other locations.

One exception that councillors have supported is allowing clubs to merge, in order to ensure that they stay afloat. However, politicians believe that clubs with poker machines should not be able to move their games to clubs that do not have pokies – even if they merge. There is some debate over this provision, but many politicians are in support of it.

Sports Organizations Receive $1 Billion from NZ Pokies

In New Zealand, many not-for-profit organizations rely on profits generated by poker machines in order to operator. So, it is no wonder that some groups are upset that the new Harm Reduction Bill aims to give local city councillors the power to decide where grant money goes – as it could leave plenty of sports clubs without funding.According to a new report, sports clubs seem to be so passionate about the Harm Reduction Bill as they have received more than $1 billion from pokies profits over the course of the past seven years. In 2011 alone, rugby clubs received $27 million while football groups were given $10 million.

“The bill doesn’t take away the right of any sports club or local community group to do what they want to,” says MP Te Ururoa Flavell, who authored the bill.

The Harm Reduction Bill is aimed at benefitting the local community; however , sports organizations are worried that it will interfere with their finances. It simply means that sports clubs will have to be less dependent on poker machine profits, finding funding from other resources – but clubs do not seem prepared to take that step.

Problem Gambling Foundation Criticizes Pokies Grant System

The job of New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation is to point out flaws in the country’s gambling market that are detrimental to problem gamblers. The organization is dedicated to bettering the country’s gambling industry by reducing problem gambling rates. Now, the Problem Gambling Foundation has set its sights on pokies grants, stating that the system has failed by creating a dependence on poker machines.

“One of the real addictions that we’ve got in this country are sporting groups and community groups that absolutely rely upon the funding from pokie trusts,” says Graeme Ramsey, chief executive of the Problem Gambling Foundation.

Organizations have become so attached to pokies grants that many are fighting the new Harm Reduction Bill, which will change the pokies grants are awarded. Even though the new bill aims to benefit the country by reducing problem gambling rates, many community groups cannot part with the funding provided by poker machines.

So, it seems that organizations will have to find a new way to generate funding. There are plenty of sources out there, and they will simply have to look a little bit harder to find them.

Scammers Target NZ Casinos With High-Tech Devices

With the introduction of sophisticated safety features at casinos, it has becoming increasingly difficult for patrons to cheat. However, one group of gamblers at SkyCity Auckland managed to scam $4.5 million from the casino, and were able to get away with the crime using sophisticated technology to seem inconspicuous.

According to reports, a dozen gamblers on a junket from Singapore had used unique methods to steal from the casino. Security cameras noticed that a baccarat dealer had made a suspicious movement when cutting his deck before excusing himself to the washroom. The casino’s security camera did not catch any further proof of cheating, and none of the players were wearing items of clothing that could conceal hidden cards. The group was not apprehended in New Zealand, but they were arrested shortly after in Singapore for using the same method to cheat.

In 2010, a similar case was uncovered. This time, a man was caught in the act of cheating, using a mechanical device to switch the deck’s cards with his own. This form of cheating is being used frequently, as players can quickly and unnoticeably rig the deck using this sophisticated device. In some cases, hidden cameras are used to record the order of the cards.

Microgaming Introduces Blaze Poker to Mobile

Fast-fold poker is the latest trend in the online gambling world. Offering players the chance to instantly receive a new hand after folding, these types of applications are popular among poker players with a taste for fast-paced action. Now, players can take their fast-fold gaming with them on the go. PokerStars recently launched Zoom Poker on mobile and now, Microgaming has done the same with Blaze Poker.

Blaze Poker is Microgaming’s own fast-fold poker application. Once players fold their hand at one table, they are taken to a new table and dealt a new hand. Players can take part in hundreds of hands per hour, multiplying their profits.

The application has led to a 33% growth in profits over the course of the past few months. So, it seems only natural that the operator would want to expand its reach. Mobile Blaze has yet to hit the mobile market place but Microgaming is enthusiastic about the venture.

“Microgaming is gearing up for the imminent launch of Blaze Mobile, which will offer its popular fast fold poker game variant to players, and soon-to-be introduced Mobile Bingo,” reads a statement from the company.

SkyCity Pays $2.7 Million Over Fraud Case

From 2004 to 2010, Herminia Lanuza used SkyCity’s Bank of New Zealand location to steal $2.7 million from her employer to fund her gambling habit. Blaming the bank for allowing the fraud to take place, Lanuza’s employer took the company to court, and the two parties have finally settled for an undisclosed sum of money.

The practices of SkyCity’s Bank of New Zealand have been named ‘socially questionable’ by the Problem Gambling Foundation. The bank is open 7 hours longer than other locations and does not hold cheques for any number of days before cashing them. While these practices are meant to protect customers from fraud, they also present plenty of opportunities for criminals.

As such, Lanuza’s former employer felt that the casino bank should take responsibility for the crimes committed. Police reports prove that she did not have the authority to cash cheques from the company or withdraw company funds, and SkyCity’s Bank of New Zealand failed to intervene. The High Court case was recently settled; however, the details of the transaction have yet to be revealed.

Australia New Zealand Poker Tour Coming Soon

Fall is fast-approaching, and that means one thing for New Zealand’ poker community: the Australian New Zealand Poker Tour is just around the corner. Sponsored by PokerStars, Season Five will kick off in New Zealand in November, presenting poker fans with some exciting competitive action.

The buy-in for ANZPT Auckland is $2000 + $200; so, you can rest assured that there will be some very generous prizes up for grabs this time around. This is the first time that the ANZPT will be coming to the capital, so we’re anticipating a very busy event.

PokerStars has also announced that the ANZPT will be returning to Queenstown again for Snowfest. This leg of the tournament will run from July 30 – August 4, 2012, and the buy-in is $2700 + $300. Last year, the prize pool to an impressive $1.2 million, and first-place winner Sam Razavi earned a generous $300 000 prize.

Spaces are limited for these tournaments; so, if you’re interested in playing, it is best to purchase your buy-in soon. You can also take part in satellites online at PokerStars to earn a free entry into an ANZPT event of your choice.

SkyCity Launches Sweepstakes Wednesday Promotion

The SkyCity brand of casinos is always looking for new ways to engage players. Their strategy consists of generous promotions that aim to keep players coming back for more – and SkyCity Auckland’s new Sweepstakes Wednesday promotion aims to do just that.

Sweepstakes Wednesday is a great promotion that allows all casino players to earn the change to win generous cash prizes. For every Premiere Point you earn at Sky City Auckland, you get one entry into the sweepstakes. You can earn one entry per day in the week leading up to the draw on Wednesday.

This week, the prize pool is worth $50 000. We’re letting you know well in advance so you can start earning as many Premiere Points as you can this week. If the jackpot is not won on the 19th, it will continue to grow until the next Wednesday Sweepstakes draw.

This is just one of many great promotions that the SkyCity brand has to offer throughout New Zealand. Visit your local SkyCity Casino to find out which bonuses and promotions you can take advantage of this month.