New Zealand casino operator SKYCITY Entertainment Group plans to launch a real-money online casino operation by the end of the year, local news outlets report citing the company’s spokesperson Colin Espiner.
SKYCITY first revealed its ambitions to expand into the online gambling space last August. The company currently operates integrated entertainment properties with casinos in its homeland as well as in Australia.
It is illegal to provide online gambling services from within New Zealand, but SKYCITY plans to exploit a loophole in the country’s law and will base its operation outside the country. It will be unable to run its business from Australia, as well, since online casino games are prohibited under the nation’s revised gambling law from 2017.
Mr. Espiner told local media that they are yet to pick a location for their online operation. The company’s spokesperson indicated that SKYCITY is considering Malta, which has been a popular online gaming hub for years now. It also became known that the New Zealand casino operator is exploring opportunities to form a partnership with an established online gambling operator.
SKYCITY’s online business would be limited to casino games. The company does not plan to explore sports betting for now.
Under New Zealand’s current regulations, SKYCITY will not be able to advertise actively its casino website across local media. Offshore gambling companies have found a way to circumvent rules and promote their operations to Kiwis, but SKYCITY said it would not exploit any existing loopholes. It would instead rely on some search engine optimization to attract gamblers.
Contributing Revenue to the Government
Mr. Espiner told local media outlets that the gaming and hospitality operator could pledge up to NZ$40 million in annual taxes per year to the government. SKYCITY’s online casino will not be in New Zealand’s jurisdiction as it will be based outside the country, but the company said that it is willing to contribute funds to its homeland. Mr. Espiner went on to explain that even if the government cannot accept its contributions, SKYCITY would direct the money to charity.
The casino operator said it would make sure to monitor strictly its online gaming operation and that services are provided to customers in a socially responsible manner. Problem gamblers will be detected timely and will be imposed time and spending limits, the company’s spokesperson added.
Despite SKYCITY’s pledges for tax revenue and social responsibility, New Zealand Minister for Internal Affairs Tracey Martin reportedly said that she was “disappointed they are forging ahead” and that the move showed the inadequacy of the country’s current regulatory framework.
Minister Martin indicated last year that she would present a paper aimed at reorganizing the local online gambling market. SKYCITY is optimistic that the legislation would allow for the provision of online casino services in a controlled environment, instead of banning the practice altogether. It is understood that Minister Martin would introduce the piece to the Cabinet this April. However, any changes in the nation’s gambling law would take two years to be implemented.
News about SKYCITY gearing up preparations to launch its real-money online casino was condemned by New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation, which has been lobbying for the introduction of more restrictive regulations regarding the provision of gambling services for years.
Offshore gambling companies have already been targeting local customers, but SKYCITY believes it could become a favorite online casino destination among Kiwis, because it is a locally known and trusted brand. Mr. Espiner said that they hope they can become the market leader and that people would rather give their credit card details to them than to an operation they have never heard of.
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