By VANESSA BIDOIS
HAMILTON - Waikato's wealthy Perry family are diversifying into the gaming industry, even though they are facing delays in the building of Hamilton's controversial $65 million casino.
The father-and-son business team of Brian and Simon Perry have bought United Gaming Ltd, an Auckland-based company which buys and sells non-casino gaming machines in New Zealand.
The Perry family - whose name is synonymous with sponsorship of Hamilton's arts, education and sports - has a major stake in the proposed Riverside Casino which will have 20 tables and 300 gaming machines.
Casino directors from joint venture partners Perry Developments, Sky City and Tainui Development will meet in Hamilton today to decide whether to begin construction or wait for the result of a legal challenge in April.
Opponents, led by Hamilton mayor Russ Rimmington and church leaders, have filed two applications in the High Court seeking a judicial review of the Casino Control Authority's decision to grant a casino licence, claiming two authority members were bias.
Construction of the entertainment, apartment and carpark complex was originally scheduled to begin last December.
Mr Perry yesterday confirmed that his family had an interest in a company which serviced and sold gaming machines.
The managing director of United Gaming, David Moore, said the company sold gaming machines to outlets such as RSAs and bars, but not to casinos.
Meanwhile, a Riverside spokeswoman, Sonya Haggie, has said the Tainui restructuring is not expected to have any negative impact on the development. The tribe has a 15 per cent stake in the casino.
Tainui legal adviser Shane Solomon said all investments were under review, but "the casino is still on the table."
Mr Solomon said Tainui's $7 million commitment for naming rights of the $43 million city stadium was based on the original proposal, which has since been scrapped.
The new head of the stadium trust, David Braithwaite, won't comment until after a meeting with the tribe in the next few weeks.
Tainui say casino development is still on the table
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