BNZ Closes SkyCity Branch

After coming under fire from responsible gambling advocates many times, SkyCity’s Bank of New Zealand location has finally closed. Neither the casino operator nor BNZ has provided any specifics on why this has been the case – but we imagine it is likely due to the number of scandals in which the bank has been involved.

Last year, Herminia Lanuza stole more than $2 million from her employer using the BNZ branch. She then gambled the money away at SkyCity VIP room. Accountant Richard Watson was also involved in a scandal with BNZ, using the bank to steal $5.5 million in order to fund his problem gambling habit.

The bank’s location and opening hours (14 hours a day) was not believed to be entirely responsible. During a time when politicians want to remove ATMs from gambling venues, it seems that a casino-based bank was not conducive to promoting New Zealand’s new harm reduction strategies. At any time, a problem gambler could not only withdraw money but also cash cheques and conduct other banking.

“Banks and ATMs close to where people gamble are not a good idea,” says Problem Gambling Foundation chief executive Graeme Ramsey.

It seems like a wise move for both SkyCity and BNZ. The bank will be relocating the new future, but has yet to announce where its new branch will be.

SkyCity Sells Share in Christchurch Casino, Invests In Queenstown

Ever since the 2010 earthquake devastated Christchurch, the city has been struggling to return to its former glory. Entertainment venues across the city have shut down, and Christchurch’s casino has failed to generate a solid profit in years. So, it is no wonder that part-owner SkyCity is frustrated with its investment. As such, the casino operator has decided to sell its 50% stake in Christchurch Casino to Skyline for $80 million, accepting Skyline’s stake in SkyCity Queenstown for $5 million.

SkyCity has decided to take this route in order to shift its focus. Rather continuing to struggle to make Christchurch Casino successful yet again, SkyCity would rather focus its efforts on its Queenstown casino location, which is already thriving.

The company still plans on making some significant changes to Queenstown, however. This year, SkyCity has demonstrated its dedication to high-roller gambling in several of its casinos across New Zealand. Now, the company wants to extend that commitment to Queenstown, equipping the property with several new facilities that would welcome players with a thirst for high-stakes gambling action.

At SkyCity Queenstown, company executives are planning to build new restaurants and bars to make the property into a well-rounded entertainment venue. SkyCity would also like to introduce new VIP gaming parlours, at which VIPs would be able to wager upwards of $150 000 per bet.

New Bill Wants Casinos to Pay Back Stolen Funds

Harm Reduction is a new strategy the New Zealand politicians are working on in order to curb problem gambling rates across the country. In the wake of the Harm Reduction Bill’s proposal, a number of other politicians have stepped forward, suggesting their own ways to improve the local gambling market.

Green Party member Metiria Turei has recently proposed the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 (Application to Casinos) Amendment Bill. This bill aims to prevent casinos from benefitting from crimes – namely theft used to fund addicts’ gambling habits.

“When problem gamblers are driven to crime everyone suffers except the casino, which pockets the profits,” Turei says.

As is the case with most other addictions, those suffering will often do whatever it takes to feed their habit. Sometimes, this includes stealing from friends, family and their employers. After their money is spent on their habit, the only one that benefits is the provider. In this case, it is the casino. Loved ones and co-workers are left without money while the addict is likely to end up in jail for their crimes.

Turei’s bill aims to put some of the onus on the casino operator. So, if a casino can detect that a crime has occurred in order to allow a patron to gamble, they must intervene. If they are discovered to have been able to detect a crime, the operator will be forced to return the funds to their rightful owners. The goal is to prevent casino operators from benefitting from crime, and this new bill may be successful in doing so.

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.

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.

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.

Microgaming Launches New HTML5 Slots

Although HTML5 has been around for quite some time, the programming language has yet to make its appearance in the online gambling market. Microgaming is finally introducing HTML5 to online casino fans, launching a new set of games on the platform.

HTML5 provides great benefits to casino developers, as it provides them with the ability to create programs for a wide range of device. It is especially useful when designing applications for both Mac and Android devices, as HTML5 can run on both systems. As each operating system earns a bigger market share, cross development has become increasingly important.

The new games that are available from Microgaming are Ladies Night and Spring Break, two multi-line mobile slots games that aim to entertain. Both games received a positive response in the online gambling market; so, they are likely to receive a great deal of attention on mobile devices like iPhones and iPads.

Ladies Night and Spring Break will be joining a roster of 75 existing mobile titles from Microgaming. From slots to table games, Microgaming’s mobile casino offers a diverse experience for players on the go.

Number of Children Abandoned At Casinos Triples

Earlier this year, a couple were arrested after their five children were found locked in a van while they gambled at a local SkyCity Casino. The case was shocking, as the general public looked on in awe, as a couple neglected their children while they fed their addiction. However, the crime is more common than you would think, as the rate of child abandonment at casinos has tripled over the course of the past few years.

Statistics show that 54 children were left in cars while their parents gambled in 2011. In 2010, the number was 46 and in 2009, the number was just 19. This is a shocking discovery for the general public, as it proves that more parents are putting their gambling habits before their children.

These statistics indicate two things. Firstly, there has been an increase in the number of problem gambling addicts across the country. Secondly, those that are addicted are becoming more desperate to feed their addiction. As such, more children across New Zealand are forced to suffer.

The findings come at an ideal time, as the local government attempts to pass the Harm Reduction Bill. This bill is aimed at reducing the number of poker machines across New Zealand in an attempt to curb problem gambling rates.

Free Games Now Available at InterCasino

One of the benefits of playing online casino games is that you have the option to try them for free before you wager real cash on them. While most online casinos are still building their free games collection, InterCasino has launched a wide variety of games that players can try for free.

Slots, roulette, blackjack, video poker and table games are available to play for free at InterCasino. Over 60 online slots are available for free-play and dozens of table games are available to try, as well. So, you can spend hours at InterCasino without spending any money!

While some players wonder ‘what’s the point?’, there are plenty of benefits to playing free online casino games. They are especially useful when it comes to playing table games like roulette, craps and blackjack. While each game does depend heavily on luck, there is an element of skill. It is recommended that players test out their strategies on free-play games before wagering their money on the real thing, and InterCasino provides you with the opportunity to do so.

Log in to InterCasino today to try your hand at some great free games. You can run up to four in your browser at once!

Clubs Campaign Against Harm Reduction Bill

New Zealand’s proposed Harm Reduction Bill has gained a great deal of support over the course of the past few weeks. Unfortunately, not everyone is on board with the idea of limiting the number of poker machines in each city, as sports clubs have started protesting the new bill.

According to a new report in the New Zealand Herald, Maori MP Te Ururoa Flavell – who sponsored the bill – states that organizations with a vested interest in poker machine profits are spreading rumours about the Harm Reduction Strategy. He states that clubs have claimed that sports organizations will not be able to apply for funding, but that is not the case. It seems that they are afraid that they will lose valuable profits from poker machines, and while their bottom line may be in jeopardy, there is no excuse for slander.

Part of the Harm Reduction Bill will cut out poker machine trusts, which distribute a portion of pokies profits back into the community. Instead of using this system, local community leaders will decide who gets to benefit from poker machine profits. This plan has been lauded by most politicians and community organizations, but sports clubs continue to remain unimpressed.