Casino News

New Zealand casino investigates loan shark claims

2007-08-17 11:40:41

A New Zealand casino is investigating claims that employees are helping loan sharks find desperate gamblers who need money.

Auckland Sky City casino is at the centre of allegations that workers are introducing hard-up gamblers to loan sharks, despite the fact that casinos are required to provide a safe haven for gamers.

Earlier this week, a report by One News exposed a VIP gambler who was running an illegitimate lending business in the casino.

Chief executive Elmar Toime said: "I am absolutely positive [that] our people behave, by and large, in an extremely proper and ethical manner.

"But if they don't we will act promptly. But I would rather give our people the benefit of the doubt."

Sky City, built in 1996, was the first casino in New Zealand and is the only casino in Auckland.

It contains 1,600 gaming machines and more than 100 tables with games such as roulette and blackjack.