SkyCity Favours Pokie Machines Over Table Games
SkyCity Entertainment plans to offer pokie machines only and shutdown table games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette. According to the casino giant, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected high roller punters. The punters are shut out of New Zealand and there has been a decline in revenue. This has caused some backlash from some revealing that pokies are the most addictive.
One such opposer is Problem Gambling Foundation which states that the move by SkyCity as “absolute incompetence”. The chief executive of the Problem Gambling Foundation, Paula Snowden believes that pokies machines are the most addictive casino games.
Gambling Commission Gives SkyCity Pokie Machines Go Ahead
The Gambling Commission has given SkyCity pokie machines the go-ahead. This is interim permission to shut down table machines in favour of pokie machines at the Queenstown and Hamilton casinos. This move will take place until the end of Alert Level One. The commission gave SkyCity the chance to operate pokie machines. This happened after the commission discovered that the casino giant is faced with a “softening” due to the COVID-19.
SkyCity Applies for Condition 8
The Gambling Commission imposed a Condition 8 rule that means the company needs to operate at least one table game, such as blackjack or roulette at all their casinos including the one in Auckland when they open their doors.
SkyCity announced that it plans to withdraw its bid to permanently change the condition 8 rule. The company’s chief executive, Graeme Stephens said that table games will still be a profitable and important part of the business.
Gaming Machine Association Calls for Public Discussion
The gaming machine association, which represents the pokie machines trusts has called for a public discussion of the re-opening gaming tables. The acting chairman, Mike Knell said that proving pokie machines only might seem fair but this move looks like it was part of a strategy by SkyCity, the casino giant to become a huge pokie machine hall. Additionally, this all would not have any limits on the rules and bet sizes on community return.