Skycity Addresses International Gambling Conf.

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13 May 2004
Skycity Addresses International Gambling Conference

SKYCITY’s leading edge approach to host responsibility will be presented at an international conference on gambling and problem gambling in New Zealand being held in Auckland today and tomorrow (13 – 14 May).

SKYCITY’s Host Responsibility Manager, Carolyn Hobson will speak about early intervention with problem gamblers in a casino setting and the case for an industry role in policy, practice and research development.

“SKYCITY’s host responsibility policy and programmes are recognised by treatment providers as industry leading. We provide training for every one of our 4,500 staff in all areas of host responsibility, relevant to their role, but especially in responsible service of alcohol and gaming product. Our training programme has been developed with valuable input from problem gambling treatment providers,” said Ms Hobson.
“We believe that early intervention is an important factor in the successful management of problem gambling behaviour as well as being essential to the long term sustainability of the industry. Having well-informed and well-prepared staff is fundamental to the way SKYCITY approaches its responsibilities. Our objectives are for staff to recognise the value of their role in early intervention, to acquire the skills to intervene, and to integrate these skills into their daily work practice.”

In support of the case for an industry role in policy, practice and research development in the problem gambling field, SKYCITY believes that as a major participant in the gaming industry it has a valuable role to play. In the lead up to the Gambling Act, taking effect from July 1 this year, SKYCITY has been consulted by Government bodies researching its extensive host responsibility programmes, voluntarily introduced by the company in 1996 and rolled out to all SKYCITY properties as the company has expanded.

The conference is being attended by 120 of the world’s leading gambling industry authorities and follows on from an inaugural ‘Think Tank’ meeting held at Auckland Institute of Technology (AUT) (11- 12 May) on globally significant gambling related issues.

The International Think Tank, hosted by the AUT Gambling Research Centre and the Gambling Problem Helpline and funded by the Problem Gambling Committee, is the first international forum of its type and has the long-term vision to advance the understanding of gambling as an issue for public health and social and economic development.

The conference, also hosted by AUT and the Gambling Problem Helpline, has the theme of Gambling and Problem Gambling in New Zealand – ‘Taking Stock and Moving Forward on Policy Practice and Research’.

Additional Information

SKYCITY’s Host Responsibility Programme

• SKYCITY comprehensive host responsibility programme - introduced voluntarily in 1996 - focuses on responsible gambling behaviour and alcohol management.

• Dedicated Host Responsibility staff manage the programme and work closely with treatment providers. Treatment providers have assisted in the development of training programmes for staff and retain an involvement in the training.

• SKYCITY’s group wide policy and programmes are recognised by treatment providers as industry leading.

• SKYCITY offers a self-bar option to customers who believe they may have a gambling problem. Under this option customers volunteer to be barred from entering all SKYCITY’s gaming venues for at least two years.

• All customers who elect the self bar option or contact SKYCITY about gambling problems are actively encouraged to contact appropriate helplines and treatment service providers for help and support.

• SKYCITY also offers ‘concerned others’ procedures where family/whanau or friends may contact the company if they are concerned about a person’s problem gambling and SKYCITY will intervene to encourage the person concerned to self bar or seek counseling.

• Problem gambling posters, brochures and wallet cards in various languages are displayed at key points at all SKYCITY properties.

• SKYCITY provides extensive community education modules including the above material to health providers, doctors surgeries, and community organisations

• All gaming machines and gaming tables at SKYCITY properties display Problem Gambling Helpline telephone numbers in several languages. The information is also displayed on or near to all ATMS and public phones in gaming areas

For more information on SKYCITY’s Host Responsibility programmes go to the corporate page on www.skycity.co.nz.

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