Gambling System Update

21 August 2024

Kia ora

Our role as gambling regulator is to ensure that gambling happens in fair and safe environments and that gambling harm to individuals and communities is minimised.

In this update, we’ll share some of our recent mahi to help reduce gambling harm and strengthen host responsibility programmes.  

The International Gambling Conference was recently held in Auckland. The conference was attended by a range of industry members with a strong focus on harm reduction.  

Deputy Director, Ben Gamboni attended on behalf of Te Tari Taiwhenua (DIA) and spoke about the changes to the Harm Minimisation Regulations for venues and presented the educational guidance that was developed to help implement these changes. This guidance is available to view here on our website: Gambling Harm Prevention and Minimisation Guidance

Ben said – “It was a fantastic opportunity to meet and connect with people who all play an important role in our industry.

The focus on harm reduction was clear and there were many take-aways from the event. Listening to the lived experience stories was so valuable to connect with why working hard to minimise harm is so important”.

Continuing with our theme of harm reduction, read on for more about the DIA investigation resulting in a five-day licence suspension at SkyCity Casino Auckland, the introduction of mandatory Account-Based Play and how to access new class 4 gambling host responsibility resources.

We’ve also shared some information on behalf of other agencies and organisations who work to minimise gambling harm and offer gambling addiction support services. The Ministry of Health will soon be consulting on their proposed strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm and Gambling Harm Awareness Week is coming up next month.

Ngā mihi nui,
Vicki Scott
Gambling Director

New class 4 gambling host resources are now available

Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs and The Health Promotion Directorate Te Whatu Ora have released updated gambling host resources.  These resources have been updated to reflect the amendments to the Harm Minimisation Regulations. 

These resources provide education, guidance and training packages for societies, clubs, and venues that operate class 4 gambling.

They include:  

• Quick reference resources designed for use on the floor in the venue. 
• Guidance for venue managers and staff to help carry out their responsibilities.
• Training tools and resources for class 4 venue managers and staff – some of these can also be used as ongoing resources at the venue.

Additional supportive resources for patrons are available in – Te reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Chinese, Hindi and Korean.

SkyCity Auckland to close casino for five-days following DIA investigation

After receiving a complaint from a customer who gambled at the SkyCity Auckland casino between 2017 and 2021, Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs launched an investigation into SkyCity Auckland’s harm minimisation and host responsibility protocols.

The investigation identified 23 incidents where the customer was able to gamble continuously at the casino, without detection by SkyCity’s technological system for identifying continuous play and without appropriate staff oversight or interaction.

SkyCity has acknowledged that it breached its licence conditions and Host Responsibility Programme and has formally apologised to DIA for these failings. As a result, they have agreed to a five-day voluntary closure of gambling operations at the Auckland casino from 9 – 13 September 2024, resulting in an estimated loss of around five million New Zealand dollars.

The resolution agreement is an unprecedented result. It’s the first voluntary closure of a casino and it’s the longest suspension of operations in a casino under the Gambling Act 2003.

We are pleased that SkyCity has admitted to the breaches and acknowledged the gravity of their failures and the importance of its harm minimisation obligations.

Introduction of mandatory Account-Based play in casinos

We’re making way for new technology in casinos to help minimise gambling harm.

The Gambling Commission, the independent statutory decision-making body responsible for casino licensing, requires SkyCity Casino Management Limited to take all reasonable steps to deliver mandatory Account-Based Play in their three casinos from July 2025.

This means that all gamblers will be required to hold some form of unique personal identifier, such as a card, to be allowed to gamble at SkyCity Casinos. The aim of this system is to strengthen casino compliance by enabling technology that can monitor hours of play and ensure players take mandated breaks after long periods of gambling.

As the gambling regulator, we must ensure that new technology entering casinos is appropriately tested and steps are taken to ensure gambling harm is minimised.

A new standard is being developed to allow for the deployment of this new system at SkyCity Casinos. The introduction of mandatory Account-Based Play at other casinos in Aotearoa New Zealand will depend on the host responsibility programme and licensing conditions decided by the Gambling Commission.

Consultation has started to ensure that the proposed new standards have been adequately tested with industry experts.

New Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm

Harm from gambling is a significant public health issue for our communities, and for individuals, families and whānau.

Every three years the Ministry of Health is required by the Gambling Act 2003 to set out a proposed strategy to prevent and minimise the harm caused by gambling. As part of this, public consultation on a draft strategy is required, which will provide an opportunity to have your say about:

• the draft Strategy - what we will achieve
• the draft Service Plan - how we will achieve it
• the draft funding levels and levy rates - how it will be funded.

Feedback from this consultation will help to inform a revised strategy proposals document which is submitted to the Gambling Commission for consideration. The Gambling Commission will then undertake its own consultation and make recommendations to Government.

The new Strategy and Levy will take effect from 1 July 2025.

Look out for further announcements from the Ministry of Health on the timing of the consultation and the ways you can have your say.

Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2024