{"id":3830,"date":"2021-07-27T11:00:19","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T15:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestcasinos.co.nz\/?p=3830"},"modified":"2021-07-27T18:36:53","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T22:36:53","slug":"reduction-in-gaming-table-hours-gives-rise-to-pokie-den-fears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestcasinos.co.nz\/reduction-in-gaming-table-hours-gives-rise-to-pokie-den-fears\/","title":{"rendered":"Reduction in gaming table hours gives rise to ‘pokie den’ fears"},"content":{"rendered":"
Anti-gambling proponents in New Zealand have sounded the alarm over the risk of casinos becoming \u201cpokie dens\u201d as venues have taken to slashing gaming table numbers, due to reduced patronage.<\/p>\n
This issue was brought to light in recent submissions to the Gambling Commission following an application by Dunedin Casinos Management Ltd, which operates the city’s Grand Casino<\/a>, to vary its operator\u2019s licence. This would allow the casino to ignore the mandatory requirement for at least one gaming table to be open for play between noon and 6 pm.<\/p>\n The casino put it to the commission that it had lost revenue as a result of the global pandemic, with the loss of cruise ship passenger business being a particularly sore point. The downturn in business had caused the casino to let some of its staff go and the venue argued that it needs \u201cto consider different scenarios, and creative ways, to ensure that the business remains viable and competitive.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The submission proposed that one gaming table could operate between noon and 6 pm only if there is a demand, but stated \u201cthis is not possible in the current climate\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n Internal Affairs assented, saying that a staffed gaming table would serve no purpose if no patrons were playing, but there were voices of opposition raised against the proposal.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Health objected, saying that casinos across the nation were cutting their table game operations, turning them into predominantly gaming machine venues. The ministry added that gaming machines are widely considered to be the most detrimental form of gambling in New Zealand.<\/p>\n