KEY POINTS:
Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker expects to know in a few weeks if claims of impropriety at Christchurch Casino have any basis in fact.
Accusations of loan sharking, prize draw irregularities and gaming return discrepancies have been levelled at the casino and the claims have prompted the minister to order his officials to investigate.
Christchurch Casinos board chairman Barry Thomas has stated the claims of loan sharking and rigged prize draws were "absolute rubbish".
When approached by the Weekend Herald yesterday, the casino said it had recently completed its audit for the year ending in March "with a clean audit report and no issues or concerns raised with the company or by its auditor".
A spokesman for Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker said the minister was concerned about the allegations and wanted to look into the validity of the claims "and if there is a case to answer".
Allegations of loan sharks operating in the casino raised concerns when it had a duty to identify and deal with problem gamblers on its premises. "Obviously having a loan shark in a casino would be a sign of problem gambling."
The minister also wanted his officials to get to the bottom of claims of people working in massage parlours to pay off gambling debts, and casino inspectors receiving free meals. "We have called for people to come forward with allegations. They have all been anonymous so far."
The spokesman said it was expected the inquiry into Christchurch Casino would take weeks rather than months. If allegations against it are proven, Christchurch Casino could be prosecuted.
Last year, Dunedin Casino served a two-day suspension imposed by the Gambling Commission for not stopping a problem gambler who spent more than $6.6 million at the venue.
