KEY POINTS:
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reassured the Chinese Government that its students in New Zealand will be properly cared for.
His comments follow claims by the Problem Gambling Foundation that Auckland's SkyCity Casino is targeting young and vulnerable Asian students.
"We've got to be vigilant about that, particularly where young people are concerned," Mr Peters said during a trip to China.
"These parents send their children to New Zealand and entrust them to our care, and export education is not just about making money out of them, it's about providing an education that also looks at their lives 24-7."
Students were becoming victims of the casinos because they were not properly monitored outside class hours, he said.
"Personally, I've never supported casinos in New Zealand, never will.
"I've assured the Chinese Government that they [foreign students] will be properly cared for, and we've got to fulfil our promise."
Mr Peters said the Government was in touch with universities and other institutions about the care of all foreign students.
The Problem Gambling Foundation's chief executive, John Stansfield, said last week that casinos were an exciting place for lonely, vulnerable students.
"They are treated like kings and offered access to high-roller privileges to make them feel important," he said.
But when the money ran out, they were no longer welcome and were sometimes issued with trespass notices.
"A significant proportion of young Asians in our prisons are victims of the casino. This pathway to crime and prison cannot be tolerated by a civilised society - we all lose."
SkyCity spokesman Zac Qereqeretabua said claims that the casino was targeting Asian students were inaccurate and misleading.
"The Asian community is a significant and growing part of the customer mix.
"SkyCity aspires to be able to provide our Asian customers with the experience that they both expect and aspire to," Mr Qereqeretabua said.
That was the principle for the treatment of all SkyCity customer groups.
- NZPA
