SKYCITY to introduce technology to help high-risk gamblers

SKYCITY to introduce new world-leading technology to help high-risk gamblers

SKYCITY has announced that it will be the first commercial casino in the world to introduce predictive modelling to help identify high-risk gamblers, as an extension of its internationally recognised Host Responsibility programme.

Chief Executive Nigel Morrison says the company has been discussing its plans to futher enhance its Host Responsibility programme with the Government as part of the negotiations to build a $350 million New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland.

“At SKYCITY, we have a philosophy of continual development in Host Responsibility and to that end, we will be introducing two new significant technology-based initiatives that will even further enhance what is already a world-class Host Responsibility programme to care for our customers.

This will include a “voluntary pre-commitment” programme for customers to voluntarily set limits on how much they wish to spend and how long they wish to play for on gaming machines.

“We will be the first gaming operator in New Zealand to introduce pre-commitment technology on its gaming machines.

Mr Morrison said "SKYCITY will also be introducing a sophisticated software tool which analyses historical player behaviour to assist us to identify who is potentially high-risk and in need of monitoring, and who is high-risk and in need of help from host responsibility staff.

The tool would provide SKYCITY with more rigorous, research-based data and further enhance SKYCITY’s leading Host Responsibility programmes and processes.

“Both of the new technologies will add to our existing harm minimisation and prevention measures by facilitating a range of customer interventions and reporting tools for casino staff,” Mr Morrison said.

SKYCITY is currently negotiating with the Government to build the NZICC on its three-acre site at 101 Hobson Street.

The NZICC will be an iconic building in the heart of Auckland, central to hotels, universities, theatres, entertainment and all forms of hospitality.

It is expected to attract over 183,000 delegates each year, generating over 350,000 delegate days attending international and domestic conferences, events and exhibitions.

During construction it is estimated the NZICC will generate around 1,000 new jobs and, when operational, it is estimated to generate around $90m of visitor expenditure in the local economy every year and support 800 new jobs for New Zealanders.

ENDS

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