Skycity Auckland (stylised as SkyCity Auckland) is a casino and event centre in the central business district of Auckland, New Zealand, between Victoria and Federal Streets. Located at the base of the Sky Tower, it was the second casino in New Zealand, and is still the only one in Auckland. Than two percent of adults in New Zealand are susceptible to becoming problem gamblers. This graph shows the percentages of gambling risk types (across all modes) during 2011/12. According to research by Business and Economic Research Ltd (BERL), New Zealand has one of the lowest rates of problem gambling in the world2 (see table below). International Gambling Conference. He haerenga – A journey from harm to wellbeing. 24 - 26 June 2020 - Auckland, New Zealand. Casino - Hourly Rate - Get a free salary comparison based on job title, skills, experience and education. Accurate, reliable salary and compensation comparisons for New Zealand. The Casino Control Act 1990 is created. It remains in power until 2003 when it is replaced by New Zealand’s new Gambling Act. 1994 Christchurch Casino was the first licenced land-based casino to open in the country.

Skycity Auckland (stylised as SkyCity Auckland) is a casino and event centre in the central business district of Auckland, New Zealand, between Victoria and Federal Streets. Located at the base of the Sky Tower, it was the second casino in New Zealand, and is still the only one in Auckland.

Facilities[edit]

In addition to the Sky Tower, the complex includes a 700-seat theatre, a convention center, bars and restaurants, and two hotels. The complex also has a casino that was last refurbished in 2006, with over 1,600 gambling machines, and over 100 gambling tables. The casino also has special rooms for VIP / high-stakes gamblers.^[1]

In September 2013, it was announced that Skycity Auckland had purchased a 21m motor yacht 'Horizon II' for corporate entertainment.^[2]

In February 2018, Skycity Auckland opened New Zealand's first purpose-built e-sports broadcasting studio, located on Level 2 of the Sky Tower, formerly known as XO Bar.^[3]

By 2019 it will also house a convention centre catering for up to 3500 guests, costing over $700 million, after cutting a deal with the Government that will allow it to install extra poker machines and gambling tables.^[4]

History[edit]

The Sky Tower,^[5] convention centre and hotel^[6] were all built by Fletcher Construction and completed by 1997.

Skycity was the second casino in the country. At the time of its construction, it was controversial, just like the Sky Tower itself. Unlike the city's icon towering above it, major figures like former Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard have remained critical of the casino, though he acknowledged that the complex itself has been positive for the city. However, there is criticism from various sources that the casino creates problem gambling and does not ban problem gamblers proactively enough.^[7]

The casino provides almost 2000 jobs (as of January 2006), and has returned NZ$670 million in dividends to mainly Australian shareholders, from more than eight million visitors that have passed through, 15% from overseas. NZ$18.6 million were also paid to community organisations and trusts in the same time. 1.5% of the operating profit has to be paid out to charity according to law.^[7]

With profits at its parent, the Skycity Entertainment Group, falling, it was announced in May 2007 that around 230 staff of Sky City would be let go within the following 12–18 months, though it was thought likely to be mostly through turnover attrition, and would be focused on management staff.^[8][9]

On 11 May, Sky City announced that it will be slashing 700 jobs as a result of the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. A month earlier, Sky City had slashed 200 jobs.^[10][11]

Hotels[edit]

Skycity Hotel, Auckland is a casino hotel and was opened in February 1996. It is one of New Zealands busiest hotels and is located inside the main Auckland complex and serves mainly families, business travellers and gamblers who play at the casino. It offers 323 rooms refurbished in 2013.^[12] Hotel guests may use all the facilities in the complex. It is a Qualmark rated 4 star hotel.^[13]

Skycity Grand Hotel is a luxury 5 star hotel and was officially opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark in April 2005 after costing $85 million. It is not located inside the main complex but is adjacent and is connected by a skybridge. It serves mainly older guests, VIPs and high stake gamblers who play at the casino. Many celebrities have stayed at the hotel including Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Linkin Park. The Grand features 21 levels and 316 rooms. The rooms include The Grand Suite, 8 Premier Self Contained Suites, 11 Executive King Suites and 296 Luxury King rooms. The room interiors were designed by Chhada Siembieda (specialists in luxury hotel interiors and responsible for the W Hotel chain as well as the Hayman Island Resort, Sydney Hilton and the Hotel Intercontinental in both Sydney and in Hong Kong). Facilities and services include 24-hour room service and reception, a heated lap pool, fitness center, sauna, health spa, personal trainers, baby sitting and a hotel doctor.^[14]

Events[edit]

In 2019, the Skycity Convention Centre played host to two World boxing title events, promoted by Bruce Glozier and Steve Deane of Rival Sports Promotions. The first event took place on March 30 Geovana Peres took on Lani Daniels for the WBO World women's light heavyweight title dubbed History in the making.^[15] The event Sold out with 680 table tickets and was prerecored to broadcast on Sky Sports tv later in the week.^[16] On 30 July, Bruce Glozier of Rival Sports Promotion announced the second World title event, Geovana Peres vs Claire Hafner.^[17] As part of promoting the event, Geovana Peres did a world first by doing boxing pad work outside on top of the Sky Tower, 193 metres in the air.^[18] The event sold out with over 1000 tickets and was broadcast live on Sky Sports 3 TV.^[19]

New convention centre[edit]

In May 2013, the Government came to a deal with Skycity to build a new convention centre worth $402 million in exchange for gambling concessions. The concessions would allow Skycity to install an extra 230 poker machines, 40 gambling tables, as well as a further 12 gambling tables that could be substituted for automated table game player stations (but not poker machines). Skycity would also receive an extension to their casino licence, from its expiry in 2021 until 2048. In exchange, Skycity would be required to meet the full costs of the convention centre project.^[20]

Describing the benefit for New Zealand, Economic Development Minister, Steven Joyce said the convention centre would add an estimated $90 million a year to the local economy, create 1,000 jobs during construction and 800 jobs once the centre is running.^[20]

In 2015 it was announced that the anticipated cost of the convention centre had increased by $70–$130 million, to a total maximum of $530 million. Prime Minister John Key said he was considering making up the shortfall by giving Skycity public tax money to finish the project – as it would be an 'eyesore' if the extra funding was not made available.^[21] Two days later on 12 February, following criticism in the media and in Parliament, the Prime Minister described the use of taxpayer funds as the 'least preferred option'.^[22] Subsequently, on 15 February, it was announced that instead of seeking funding from the government for project over-runs, Skycity would instead be allowed to build a convention centre which was slightly smaller, so that total costs would remain about $400 million. The other option was that Skycity could put in funds of its own to build a large convention centre. The Labour Party claimed the move was a win for those who were opposed to public money bailing out the deal.^[23]

2019 convention centre fire[edit]

A fire in the roof and upper part of the new convention centre started on 22 October 2019 while the building was still under construction. The fire burned for about two days, partly as a result of a decision to sacrifice the roof in order to try to save the lower part of the building by improving safety and access for firefighters working under the roof. After the roof had mostly burned away the remaining fire was extinguished.

The fire caused widespread disruption to Auckland's central business district and the air pollution in the city to exceed safe levels for the first time in over ten years.^[24][25]

See also[edit]

Gambling Rates In New Zealand Right Now

References[edit]

1. ^VIP Gaming (from the official casino website)
2. ^'SkyCity's 'floating palace' for high rollers'. New Zealand Herald. 2013-09-01. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
3. ^'Social Snapshot: Sky City unveils new e-sports broadcasting centre'. Newshub. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
4. ^'SkyCity convention centre set to create 800 jobs - Joyce'. TV NZ. May 13, 2013.
5. ^Fletcher Construction website - Sky Tower
6. ^Fletcher Construction website
7. ^ ^ab'Auckland's big gamble, 10 years on'. The New Zealand Herald. 29 January 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
8. ^Marshall, Colin (22 May 2007). 'Union 'in the dark' over SkyCity job losses'. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
9. ^Orsman, Bernard (23 May 2007). 'Cards called for 230 at SkyCity in cost-cut drive'. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
10. ^Flaws, Bonnie (11 May 2020). 'Coronavirus: Sky City announces more job losses to come'. Stuff. Archived from the original on 11 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
11. ^'SkyCity plans 700 job cuts due to Covid-19 downturn'. Radio New Zealand. 11 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
12. ^'SkyCity Hotel official site'.
13. ^'Qualmark official site'.
14. ^'SkyCity Grand Hotel official site'.
15. ^'THE ULTIMATE DREAM HAS COME TRUE FOR GEOVANA PERES'. Gay Express. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
16. ^'Peres-Daniels WBO World Title fight a sell out'. Newsie. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
17. ^'Boxing: Kiwi Geovana Peres to defend WBO title against Canadian Claire Hafner'. New Zealand Herald. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
18. ^'Kiwi boxing champion Geovana Peres to defend title'. Stuff NZ. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
19. ^'Geovana Peres Retains World title with the first TKO of her Career'. Women Boxing. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
20. ^ ^ab'SkyCity convention centre set to create 800 jobs - Joyce'. TVNZ. 13 May 2013.
21. ^'John Key: SkyCity will be an 'eyesore' without government money'. Stuff.co.nz. 10 February 2015.
22. ^'Public money for SkyCity convention centre 'least preferred' fix'. The New Zealand Herald. 12 February 2015.
23. ^'SkyCity drops funding bid'. Radio New Zealand News. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
24. ^'Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Firefighter in serious condition as building goes up in flames'. Stuff.co.nz. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
25. ^'SkyCity fire live: Inferno rages, roof fears, TVNZ evacuated'. New Zealand Herald. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 36°50′56″S174°45′42″E / 36.8488°S 174.7617°E

The Oceania country of New Zealand contains several gambling regulations with a communal focus on the growth and development of gambling to ensure a beneficial environment for Kiwis while minimizing any adverse effects from regulated gaming. Known as the Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand has managed to legalize most forms of gambling through a number of regulations all overseen by an appropriate regulatory agency. There are sixteen regions in NZ, four classes of gambling, and five cities with gambling establishments all of whom must be governed by the proper agency without too much overlay.

Active Gambling Laws in New Zealand

The following list contains active gambling regulations in New Zealand. These supersede previously enacted laws which are now either inactive or rewritten to fit modern needs.

Gambling Rates In New Zealand 2020

Boxing and Wrestling Act 1981 – As administered by the NZ Department of Internal Affairs, or DIA, this Act was created and implemented to provide better regulations concerning the promotion and conduct of Boxing and Wrestling contests. The Boxing and Wrestling Act of 1981 also abolished the regulation over certain amateur wrestling contests, specifically those amateur wrestling contests conducted by, associated, or affiliated with the New Zealand Amateur Wrestling Union or its successors in title.

Racing Act 2003 – As brought into force by the Racing Act Commencement Order 2003 as administered by the Department of Internal Affairs, this Act was deemed to provide effective governance arrangements for the New Zealand racing industry, and facilitate betting on galloping races, harness races, greyhound races, and other sports events. The act also intended to promote long-term viability for racing, fully replace the Racing Act of 1971, and establish the New Zealand Racing Board.

Gambling Act 2003 – This Act replaces the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1977 and the Casino Control Association Act of 1990 as New Zealand’s primary gambling law which harmonised a regulatory framework for New Zealand gambling. The Gambling Act of 2003 was introduced into Parliament as the Responsible Gambling Bill in early 2002 and was used to control the growth of gambling in New Zealand while preventing and minimizing potential harm from gambling exposure. This Act is the official document concerning the permission and prohibition of gambling game types in New Zealand.

Gambling Amendment Act 2005 – As enacted by the Parliament of New Zealand, the Gambling Amendment Act of 2005 amends the Gambling Act of 2003, known as “the Principal Act” to repeal, insert, and include definitions deemed necessary. For instance, the term “Key Person” in the Principle Act now includes a person who is a director, chief executive, senior manager, or any person the Secretary reasonably believes to have a significant interest in the management, ownership, or operation of a [gambling] venue operator.

Gambling Amendment Act 2015 – Enacted by the New Zealand Parliament, this amendment expands and inserts more definitions to the Principle Act while repealing others to plug loopholes. Specifically, this Amendment revises the provisions relating to each class of gambling, regulatory gambling institutions, and any sections relating to gambling harm prevention, the minimization of such, and enforcement.

Gambling Amendment Act (No. 2) 2015 – As enacted by Parliament, the Gambling Amendment Act no. 2 of 2015 amends certain definitions within the Principle Act concerning class 4 gaming and introduces new definitions concerning other sections of the Principal Act. Aside from the new interpretation inserted over Net Proceeds and others, this Amendment is intended to be the last clarifying piece of legislation to the Principal Act.

Is Gambling Legal in New Zealand?

Yes, all New Zealand gambling is governed under the Gambling Act of 2003 and its following amendments. Individuals must be 18 to play the Lottery, purchase Scratch Cards, and bet on sports and horse races; individuals must be 20 to enter a brick and mortar New Zealand casino. Gambling types not included under the jurisdiction of Gambling Act 2003 are considered unauthorized and prohibited. To date, there are no legal online gambling laws in New Zealand preventing Kiwis from accessing online casinos and sportsbooks hosted outside of New Zealand. Rather some prohibit New Zealanders from accessing domestic online gambling outside of Lottery purchases and Totalisator Agency Board (or TAB) betting services. In Fact, nearly all New Zealand gambling laws are primarily focused on regulating and punishing venue operators – not Kiwi players. Therefore, regulation is strict but not user-restrictive.

Who Regulates Gambling in New Zealand?

New Zealand gambling is regulated by the following agencies in varying degrees and oversight; Parliament, TAB, DIA, New Zealand Gambling Commission, New Zealand Lottery Commission, New Zealand Racing Board, Gambling Compliance Group, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, National Government, and the Second Labour Government. While some play a more important role than others, smaller regulators also have slight jurisdiction and say in the construction and compliance of legal gambling in New Zealand. Some entities are specially designated to simply observe and record the positive and negative effects of gambling in New Zealand’s society – these are significant departments as their feedback provides insight for future legislative decisions.

Forms of Legal Gambling in New Zealand?

Nearly all forms of gambling are legal within NZ and are permitted through the Gambling Act of 2003 and regulated by the above regulatory agencies, depending on the class and game type. New Zealand gambling laws permit the following forms of gambling:

Housie, Raffles, Art Unions known as Lotteries such as The Golden Kiwi, Games of Chance, Scratch Cards, Instant games, Daily Keno, Poker, Tournament Gambling, Casino Gambling in Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland, Queenstown, and Hamilton, Pokies, other Gaming Machines, Prize Competitions, Sports Betting, Betting Pools, and Horse and Greyhound Race Betting.

Games are divided into 4 Classes and legal so long as they respect each class’s requirements and the games comply with game rules:

Class 1 – No licence is required for the following types of gambling so long as the house takes no rake and prizes and turnover do not exceed $500 NZD: Housie, Betting Pools, Poker Tournaments, other forms of gambling (excluding Gaming Machines).

Class 2 – No licence required. Usually run by a society, charity, organisation, or business. Proceeds must go to authorised purpose. Generally, these games are raffle-like and can include Lotteries, Prize Competitions, Games of Chance, and Instant Games; prizes must not exceed $5,000 and potential turnover in one session must not exceed $25,000.

Class 3 – Licence required and can only be run by a society or in the event of regular gambling by a corporate society. Money must be raised for authorised purpose. Prizes must exceed $5,000 to enter Class 3 category. Games can include Housie, Larger-scale Lotteries, Instant Games and games found at casino evenings. Cannot involve a gaming machine, directly or indirectly. Review by Department of Internal Affairs for financial viability, cost minimisation, and maximum communal benefits before licence possession required

Class 4 – Any form of gambling which involves the use of a gaming machine outside a brick and mortar casino is considered a Class 4 gambling category. Class 4 game operators must be a corporate society intending to raise money for authorised purposes.

Forms of Legal Online Gambling in New Zealand?

There are no online casinos currently licenced by a New Zealand entity, however, the New Zealand Lottery Commission is permitted to offer online Lottery sales and has since 2008. TAB is also permitted to offer online horse betting directly on their web portal. These two agencies are the only ones allowed to provide Kiwis with domestic online gambling. Otherwise, New Zealand gambling regulations forbid the use of domestic online portals for gambling. This means there is no in-play sports betting, casino games, mobile pokie, housie, and poker if it operates online and domestically.

However, there is no written law prohibiting a New Zealander’s access to online offshore casinos. In fact, New Zealand wholly supports offshore gambling but retain strict anti-advertising laws for offshore venue operators. Offshore operators are not permitted to promote themselves in New Zealand and those who advertise their services to Kiwis either through TV ads, newspaper ads, or other mediums will face penalties up to $10,000 for each offense. However, Kiwi players are free to discover and use offshore gambling sites themselves with no penalty to either operator or player.

History of Gambling in New Zealand

New Zealand gambling has been documented to occur as early as the 1830’s when Kiwis would primarily bet on the outcome of horse races. The very first lottery known as an Art Union in New Zealand was conducted in 1877 to raise money. However, during the 1900’s, acceptance of gambling lessened and began to be seen as corruptible and immoral. Due to these notions, nearly all forms of gambling were illegalized under the NZ Gambling Act of 1908.

Horse betting remained a viable gambling avenue and to fight corruption, famous New Zealand resident invented the Automatic Totalisator or tote board in the early 1900’s which would display the position of the horses, odds, and payouts on a large board to create a cheat-free environment. Despite this, bookmaking was then illegalized in 1920 which made betting anywhere outside of a racetrack illegal. This further limited available gambling venues. However, in 1933 New Zealand introduced the very First National Lotteries which offered small prizes, this continued until the Second Labour Government reviewed them in 1950’s after steep sales declines and non-Kiwi ticket purchasing from overseas. In 1961, the National Government introduced the Golden Kiwi lottery.

New Zealand today is vastly different when it comes to legal gambling than its previously prohibitive state. The New Zealand we know today was slowly molded not only through lotteries and horse racing but also by the introduction of gambling re-legalisation efforts in the 80’s throughout the early 2000’s. Gambling was strictly regulated and controlled until the 1980’s when lottery games, as well as casinos, were approved by the New Zealand Parliament.

A new regulatory agency called the New Zealand Lottery Commission was then established in 1987 to handle all gambling issues, regulations, and governance relating to NZ lotteries and its supplementary games. In 1991 pokies were legalized and introduced shortly after by charities and placed in hotels and bars. A few years after, New Zealand’s first casino opened in Christchurch. Not long after, the Principle Act or Gambling Act of 2003 established a regulatory framework for legal gambling in New Zealand, this absorbed and rewrote many previously enacted laws and regulations into one central document.

What Benefits Does New Zealand’s Gambling Industry Provide?

The largest portion of New Zealand’s gambling industry is operated by state-owned institutions and these gaming entities are required to give back a portion of their gambling proceeds, or profits, back to the community in some way shape or form. By donating this to the community, New Zealand’s gambling institutions can be directly involved in social development, community building, and wellness programs. Often, profits can be used to better educate others, and mitigate and manage the possible adverse social effects of gambling.

Are Winnings Taxable?

In New Zealand gambling is considered a recreational past-time and not an extra income source. This means that 100% of New Zealander’s winning are non-taxable even if earned from overseas online casinos and sportsbooks. However, an exception is made to this in the case of professional poker players if their poker winnings (which should be substantial for this exception to take effect) are the sole or majority source of their income. This makes the winnings received taxable income. Which means unless Kiwi’s fall into this category they do not have to worry about such compliance. However, we recommend consulting a local tax professional on the matter.

What Is the Legal Gambling Age in New Zealand?

There is no age minimum for the purchase of Lotto, Bullseye, Keno or Play 3 tickets. The minimum legal age to gamble in New Zealand for lottery purchases like Instant Play and Instant Kiwi tickets is eighteen. Kiwis and international visitors must be seventeen years or older to buy Daily Keno tickets. Participants may enter and gamble at casinos once they turn twenty. Punters must be at least eighteen to bet on horse races at tracks or through TAB. Using fake IDs to misrepresent the participant’s real age is illegal and can lead to fines up to $500 NZD.

What Gambling is Illegal in New Zealand?

Gambling not authorised by the Gambling Act of 2003 is prohibited and illegal. The following games are prohibited: bookmaking outside of TAB, the use of remote interactive gambling (including domestic gambling) through a communication device outside of being provided by New Zealand’s Lottery Commission and Totalisator Agency Board. The prohibition on remote interactive gambling in New Zealand does not prohibit gambling operations conducted overseas.

The following is also illegal in New Zealand regarding the gambling industry and its regulations: any advertising from an overseas operator published or arranged to be published in New Zealand that promotes gambling outside of New Zealand or the offshore gambling operator who is prohibited to do so under section 16 of the Gambling Act 2003. This offence carries a fine of up to $10,000 NZD under the Gambling Act 2003. The Gambling Act provides penalties for anybody who participates in unauthorised gambling and fines can vary from up to $50,000 for organisations and up to $10,000 for individuals. This includes participants and game conductors.

To further touch on the illegal forms of gambling in New Zealand, one must understand which prizes are prohibited. This is because any game offering these immediately become illegal. These prizes include firearms, explosives, ammunition, restricted weapons, air guns, liquor, tobacco products, taonga tuturu (a New Zealand/Maori protected object), vouchers for sexual services, and vouchers to any of the other property listed above.

Gambling Rates In New Zealand Compared

Is Illegal Gambling a Problem in New Zealand?

Gambling Rates In New Zealand Auckland

Recent studies in New Zealand have observed the effects of gambling on society and vulnerable individuals for years. From this research, they have discovered that 2 in 5 individuals are at risk of developing a gambling addiction. Therefore, hundreds and thousands of dollars have been poured into problem gambling programs, addiction assistance, and harm minimization strategies. In fact, the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand offers counseling, support groups, and addiction helplines. Individuals seeking help for themselves or someone else can obtain educational materials and available support group meeting times or reach out to helplines found in our Resources section.

Problem Gambling Help In New Zealand