SkyCity online gaming site 'a gateway'

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

SkyCity's new online gaming site is 'grooming' people to become gamblers, Problem Gambling Foundation boss says.

SkyCity has launched an online gaming product, with a selection of free-to-play pokies or slots games, along with poker and blackjack.

Problem Gambling Foundation chief executive Graeme Ramsey said the new platform was 'quite concerning'.

'I don't for a second believe this is altruistic.'

However, SkyCity said the free-play website was aimed only at providing fun and entertainment. 

Ramsey said while the service was free, it encouraged people to explore gambling.

He referred to free online gaming platforms as 'gateway sites'.

SkyCity's online gaming was 'pure promotion', he said.

'I think in this case this is clearly a way to try and reach out with a new form of advertising.'

However, a SkyCity spokesman said there were no plans to make its online gaming a pay-to-play product.

'SkyCity has not advertised the site beyond its existing customer base and has no plans to move to a 'real money' gaming site – indeed, while thousands of such overseas sites are available to Kiwis at the click of a mouse, New Zealand-based gaming operators are prohibited by law from offering for-money online casino play.'

The free play website was provided for fun and entertainment only and would not become part of its core business, he said.

Unlike online lottery-style products or sports betting, skycityonline had no monetary value and all winnings were virtual and did not involve real money.

The website was launched this week as an added benefit for customers of SkyCity's Premier Rewards loyalty scheme and although any New Zealander over the age of 20 can play, it was aimed at regular customers, the spokesman said.

There was also a limit on how often customers could play the online games.

The spokesman said players could only refill their free game credits twice a day so SkyCity could not be accused of trying to 'get people hooked' on the games.

Spot prizes of SkyCity gift vouchers or bonus loyalty points could be won through the online gaming platform but these must be redeemed at SkyCity and only members of the loyalty scheme could redeem a prize.

An email sent out to Premier Rewards members are offered the first opportunity to trial the service and offer feedback.

In return for visiting the online gaming site those customers are offered $10 in Premier Bonus Dollars.

Ramsey, from the Problem Gambling Foundation,  said his greatest concern was the slot-style games.

'Frankly, if it wasn't for pokie machines we wouldn't even exist as an agency. It's that simple and true.'

More than 70 per cent of the people the foundation dealt with had an issue with pokie machines, he said.

Ramsey said the foundation had been predicting a rise in addictions to online gambling in New Zealand.

However, so far issues with online gambling remained 'quite low on the radar'.

'Are we happy with this? No, this is not a step in the right direction.'