Auckland's SkyCity casino to close for five days

Casino operator SkyCity has agreed to close its Auckland casino for five days after admitting to breaches of host responsibility

The closure will take place from 9-13 September and is part of a deal with the Gambling Commission

SkyCity will close its land-based casino in the New Zealand city of Auckland from 9-13 September in line with a licence condition imposed by the Gambling Commission.

The closure follows an investigation by the Commission which found that SkyCity had failed to meet its host responsibility obligations under the Gambling Act 2003.

The Commission said that SkyCity had failed to take adequate steps to prevent problem gambling, including failing to identify and exclude problem gamblers, and failing to provide adequate information and support to customers.

SkyCity has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine and to implement a range of measures to improve its host responsibility practices.

The closure of the casino is a significant development and is a sign that the Gambling Commission is taking a tough stance on operators who fail to meet their host responsibility obligations.