No plans to change casino laws - Govt

The Government says it has no plans to change a law change preventing new casinos to operate.

The Dominion Post reported that the position would stymie a developer's plans to build a casino in Shelly Bay.

Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy told the newspaper there were no plans to remove the previous government's moratorium on new casinos.

"Any change to the law would be a decision for the Cabinet and caucus and would require extensive discussion with the wider community," he said.

"At this stage, the Government has no plans to change the law."

The development of any new casinos outside those already operating in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, was banned by the 2003 Gambling Act.

Auckland developer Redwood Group International is working on plans for Shelly Bay. Its Wellington manager, Martin Price, said he expected an announcement to be made this month but would not comment on whether a casino was planned for the development.

- NZPA