SkyCity Launches Mandatory Card Play to Enhance Gambling Safety

UPDATE: SkyCity Entertainment Group has just announced the launch of a mandatory card game system aimed at enhancing consumer protections and mitigating the risks of reckless gambling. This urgent move comes as New Zealand prepares to introduce up to 15 licensed online casinos, marking a significant shift in the gaming landscape.

The new carded play initiative requires players at SkyCity’s venues to complete a quick registration process, which can be done either online or in person. To register, customers must provide a legal photo ID. Upon successful registration, each player will receive the Show card, which not only grants access to gaming but also integrates them into SkyCity’s loyalty program.

This shift towards carded play is designed to bolster safeguards against money laundering while promoting responsible gambling practices. Players will be subject to mandatory breaks and limits on their gaming sessions, daily, and weekly. These measures were first introduced at SkyCity locations in Queenstown and Hamilton, showcasing the company’s commitment to consumer safety.

SkyCity’s Chief Operating Officer, Callum Mallett, emphasized the importance of this initiative:

“Carded play gives us the tools to better support our customers. We can make earlier interventions where needed and ensure gaming remains a safe and enjoyable experience.”

Mallet expressed pride in leading the industry towards a safer, more sustainable gaming future in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

While carded play has gained traction in New Zealand, it has faced resistance in neighboring Australia. Industry operators there have raised concerns about treating gamblers like criminals and fear that such systems could be exploited for money laundering. A cashless pilot in Tasmania has faced setbacks, and efforts to implement similar measures in New South Wales have stalled.

As SkyCity moves forward with this initiative, the impact on consumer behavior and the overall gaming environment will be closely monitored. Players and industry stakeholders alike are watching to see how these new measures will affect gaming culture in New Zealand and beyond.

For those interested in the latest developments in responsible gambling practices, SkyCity’s carded play initiative represents a significant step forward. As more details emerge, the gaming community and regulators will be keen to see the outcomes of this ambitious project. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.