Casino punishment 'slap with wet bus ticket'

The Gambling Commission's decision to suspend Dunedin Casino's licence for two days for failing to take adequate action over a problem gambler is "a slap with a wet bus ticket", say gambling campaigners.

GamblingWatch and the Problem Gambling Foundation said yesterday that the punishment was inadequate.

In contrast, Department of Internal Affairs director of gambling compliance Mike Hill said the decision sent a strong message to gambling operators.

The commission was sharply criticised by GamblingWatch and the foundation for handing out only the two-day suspension, after the company was found to have allowed a problem gambler to gamble $6.6 million over three years.

Christine Keenan of Dunedin lost $400,000 during that period.

Dunedin Casino management had been aware of the extent of her gambling and had treated Mrs Keenan as a valued customer.

The amount of money it earned from her gambling represented about 10 per cent of the casino's entire earnings during the period concerned.

GamblingWatch co-ordinator Dave Macpherson accused the commission of "copping out" by delivering only the two-day penalty.

"The penalty is a joke; no more than a slap in the face with a wet bus ticket," said Mr Macpherson.

Foundation chief executive John Stansfield said a two-day licence suspension for failing to identify a problem gambler was a grave disappointment.

"We congratulate the Gambling Commission on issuing the first-ever penalty for a casino failing to follow host responsibility procedures," Mr Stansfield said.

"However, this isn't a penalty - it's a slap over the hand with a wet bus ticket."

He said the six casinos enjoyed a monopoly situation and needed world-leading host responsibility programmes.

"The two days loss of revenue should be compared to what the casino has made and what others have lost.

"It is very disappointing that the commission didn't take the advice of the Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs and apply the recommended seven-day licence suspension."

The Department of Internal Affairs should be congratulated for standing up to an ominous industry, he said. "The Gambling Commission should learn a lesson from the Department and stand up to an industry that causes so much grief and devastation."

But Mr Hill said the Gambling Act 2003 had brought the biggest changes to the sector in 30 years, with harm prevention as a driving principle.

New regulations required casino staff to be trained in how to recognise and deal with problem gamblers.

They included providing the player with information about the potential risks and consequences of problem gambling and how to get help.

Dunedin Casinos chairman Hanlin Johnstone confirmed that the company had received a copy of the commission's decision but had yet to receive legal advice. He said that until that advice was received the casino had no comment to make on the commission's decision.


Test of host responsibility

* Christine Keenan of Dunedin gambled $6.6 million over three years.

* The problem gambler lost a net $400,000 during that period, having gambled away her inheritance, her divorce settlement and the proceeds of a house sale, before stealing from her employers.

* Keenan was jailed for three years in 2004 for stealing $500,000 from two employers to fuel her gambling habit.

- NZPA