Caversham appeal dismissed

31 March 2010

The Gambling Commission has dismissed Caversham Foundation’s appeal, under section 77 of the Gambling Act 2003 (the Act), against a decision by the Secretary for Internal Affairs refusing to renew the Class 4 venue licence for the Crossing on Kaiapoi (the Venue).

The Secretary refused to renew the licence as he was not satisfied that the criteria in sections 67(c) and 67(d) of the Act were met, because the venue manager, and a key person in relation to the Venue, Stewart Turner, could not be deemed suitable under the criteria of section 68.

Internal Affairs Gambling Compliance Director, Mike Hill, welcomed the decision to dismiss the appeal.

“Turner failed to heed the several warnings that he received. The previous renewal of the licence should have given him an opportunity to pay more attention to compliance with the Act; instead he offended in new ways,” Mike Hill said.

The Gambling Commission was not satisfied of Mr Turner’s suitability because of a conviction for a relevant offence in August 2008 for providing credit to a gambler, and the history of past non-compliance - namely, failing to supervise Class 4 gambling at the Venue leading to incidents of after-hours gambling at the venue; incidents of late banking; a failure to issue a self-exclusion order; and a history of non-compliance in the liquor licensing area.

“The Act sets out strict suitability requirements on key persons who are involved in the operation of gambling machines. The Department will not grant or re-issue a licence unless applicants can demonstrate that their gambling activity can comply with the legislation,” Mike Hill said.

“As I’ve said previously, a gambling operator’s licence is a privilege, not a right. The Gambling Commission’s endorsement of the Secretary’s decision is a timely reminder for gambling operators to meet high standards to justify remaining operational.”

See previous media release: Caversham application fails (16/12/2008)

Media contact:

Mike Hill, Director of Gambling Compliance
Ph 04 495 9449; Cell 021 979 427

Nicola Grindle, Communications Advisor
Ph 04 495 9399; Cell 027 460 5292