Parnell gambling ring accused dodges fine

Police stumbled across the covert casino at a $1 million Parnell townhouse. Photo / Thinkstock

A croupier who made $10,000 working in an illegal gambling den in one of Auckland's wealthiest suburbs dodged a fine because he spent all the money.

Student Markus Grozdanovski, 26, came before Auckland District Court after police stumbled across the covert casino at a $1 million Parnell townhouse.

Officers were in the neighbourhood investigating a break-in and serious assault when they made the discovery in December 2013.

They found large gambling tables and smoke alarms taped over, prompting a year-long investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Grozdanovski had been on their radar after being warned over dealing in another illegal gambling operation.

He was undeterred by the previous caution, which Judge Nicola Mathers highlighted as an aggravating feature of the offending.

Court documents released to NZME. show Grozdanovski had dealt about 55 poker games at the venue, which was rented by the two co-defendants.

He received cash tips from players and it was estimated he would have made $10,000 over the six months he was involved.

But the 26-year-old from Glenfield turned up to court penniless.

His lawyer Nid Satjipanon said he was studying, lived with his parents, had no form of income and was in no position to pay a fine.

Judge Mathers said though Grozdanovski had not been the brains behind the underground venture, the money he made and the period for which he was involved increased his culpability.

"Another aggravating feature is the fact that you had held a licence when you were working at a casino in Auckland and you would have been well aware of the consequences to you if you entered into this type of operation," she said.

The charge of conducting illegal gambling carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail or a fine of $20,000.

But Grozdanovski was given credit for his co-operation with the the DIA, his remorse and lack of previous convictions.

The judge finally settled on a sentence of 100 hours community work.

"I hope that you can get on with your university studies and get on with life," she said.

Another man arrested during the operation has pleaded not guilty and will come before the court again later this month.

The other defendant failed to appear and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The pair are charged with providing credit and equipment for illegal gambling, making a profit from illegal gambling and for allowing the townhouse to be used as a venue.

Gambling by a group of people is illegal if they offer a prize of more than $5000 and turn over a profit of more than $25,000 for commercial gain without a licence. Private gambling not for commercial gain is legal.

Grozdanovski said he wanted to acknowledge he "messed up".

"I was a student with no job so when someone offered me a job dealing poker I accepted," he said.

He was keen to stress he did not blow the money he made on "getting p***ed".

"I just used it to pay my rent and buy food," Grozdanovski said.