The business arm of Ngati Whakaue, Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings, has hired the high-profile law firm Chen, Palmer and Partners to look at challenging the Government over proposed legislation banning new casinos.

Pukeroa Oruawhata wants to build a casino on a vacant part of the old railway land, where Rotorua Central shopping mall is located.

But the Responsible Gambling Bill, soon to come before Parliament, aims to ban any new casinos.

Anti-gambling campaigner Maureen Waaka said the firm was a small profit-hungry group attempting to force something on the community.