SkyCity wooed Govt after court failures

SkyCity wants to install 350-500 more poker machines as part of a deal to build a $350 million convention centre next to the casino. Photo / APN

SkyCity's deal over pokies in exchange for a national convention centre comes after three failed court attempts to expand its casino business.

It repeatedly challenged the Gambling Commission over its restrictions - so much that ministers overseeing gambling regulation have been warned about direct lobbying by the casino company.

SkyCity has not filed a court challenge since the National Government came to power in 2008.

Instead, it began negotiating with the Government in 2009 over concessions on gambling rules in exchange for building the $350 million convention centre next to the casino.

It wants an extra 350 to 500 poker machines, more table games such as blackjack or poker and an early extension to its gambling licence.

SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison said the casino wanted to change the law so it could expand.

"We, like any good corporate citizen, abide by the law of the land. It doesn't mean you can't challenge it and ... try to change it at some point."

The casino first went to court in 2005 after it failed to convince the commission to let it interpret rules to let more people gamble.

Mr Morrison said the casino had argued gambling law should let it increase the speed at which games were played or the numbers who played.

But the courts found the casino's argument went against the intent of the law, which forbade any increase in opportunities for gambling.

The decision left SkyCity facing restrictions on being able to increase the size of its business without directly lobbying Government.

Last December, the Gambling Commission warned Internal Affairs Minister Amy Adams she could face direct lobbying from SkyCity.

Former Gambling Commission head Peter Chin said he believed the casino actively lobbied ministers.

"The industry will always want to have greater opportunities. Any way that they can, they will try to influence Government to make that happen."

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain, who oversees the commission, has not met the casino in his current role. His office said he had met them in March as Minister of Tourism.