Sky City Casino Age Restriction
8/1/2022
The Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the Gambling Act 2003, and with regulations, licence conditions, minimum operating standards and game rules made under that Act. It also develops casino game rules, minimum operating standards and minimum equipment standards for casinos.
- Atlantic City Casinos Restrictions
- Indiana Casino Restrictions
- Sky City Casino
- Sky City Casino Age Restrictions
- Colorado Casino Restrictions
Age restrictions in bingo premises Although the law does not prevent under 18s from entering bingo clubs, the industry generally chooses to apply a no under 18s policy. Under 18s are allowed in licensed commercial bingo clubs but they must not take part in playing bingo or any other forms of gambling whilst on the premises. No one under the age of 21 is allowed in the casino area nor allowed to linger in the casino area while a parent is gambling. If under 21, passing through gaming areas to access other facilities should be done only via the designated paths often indicated by a lack of carpeting and/or along outer walls away from gambling devices.
- Casino Gambling Inspectors
- Casino Licences
- Current Regulations
- Rules of Casino Games
- Regulation of Casinos
- Associated Persons
- Certificates of Approval
- More Information
Casino Gambling Inspectors
The Department of Internal Affairs is committed to ensuring gambling in casinos is fair, honest, lawful, and remains free from criminal influence or exploitation.Role of a Casino Gambling Inspector
A casino Gambling Inspector's role includes handling complaints from members of the public and ensuring casino gambling complies with the- SkyCity’s Announcement. The 5.16% drop in share price comes as a direct result of New Zealand reinstating COVID-19 restrictions. SkyCity’s Auckland casino announced that it will remain closed for the time being and the same is true for SkyCity’s other entertainment facilities. The only SkyCity sector which will remain open is SkyCity Hotels.
- A local casino operator in New Zealand, SkyCity Entertainment Group, has been cheering on the country’s removal of all Covid-19 restrictions, particularly on public gatherings. On Monday, the 5th of June 2020, the NZ government made a public announcement that the country was officially moving to Level 1, effective midnight of the same day.
- Inspecting, monitoring and auditing the conduct of gambling
- Inspecting, monitoring and auditing the counting of money and chips
- Inspecting gambling equipment
- Detecting, investigating, and prosecuting offences against the Gambling Act 2003
- Detecting, investigating, and prosecuting crimes involving dishonesty that involve or relate to gambling
- Liaising and cooperating with the New Zealand Police and other enforcement agencies
- Investigating complaints from members of the public about the conduct of gambling in casinos.
How a Casino Gambling Inspector Can Help You
Part of the role of a casino Gambling Inspector is to investigate complaints made by members of public about the conduct of gambling in casinos. As a general guide a casino Gambling Inspector can help you with concerns and complaints about any of the following matters:- The integrity of gambling equipment in any casino
- The way gambling is being conducted in any casino
- The integrity of any casino employee
- The integrity of the casino operation
- The presence of under age patrons (patrons must be 20 years of age to enter a casino).
Contact a Casino Gambling Inspector
Email: casino.compliance@dia.govt.nzCasino Gambling Inspectors have an office in every region in which a casino operates: Contact Information
Casino Licences
Under the Gambling Act 2003 no new casino venue licences will be issued. The Casino Control Authority Act was repealed on 1 July 2004 and the Casino Control Authority was disestablished on 1 October 2004.Atlantic City Casinos Restrictions
For more information see Fact Sheet 28: CasinosCurrent Regulations
Regulations have been made under the Gambling Act 2003 to help achieve the objectives of the Act. Regulations apply to individuals and organisations that are authorised to operate gambling.Regulations 9, 10 and 11 of the Gambling (Harm Prevention and Minimisation) Regulations 2004 came into force in 2005. These are:
- The requirement to provide information on problem gambling at Class 4 and casino venues (regulation 11) - effective from 1 April 2005
- The restriction on jackpot advertising at Class 4 and casino venues (regulation 9) - effective from 1 October 2005
- The restriction on jackpot branding (regulation 10) - effective from 1 October 2005.
More Information
- Letter to Class 4 Operators and Venues (PDF, 9K)* 08/02/2005
Letter to on provisions that relate to signage, branding and publications in Class 4 venues and casinos in the Gambling Act 2003. - Policy paper on signage, publications and branding regulations and provisions (PDF, 25K)* 08/02/2005
Policy paper on regulations and provisions to come into force under the Gambling Act 2003.
Rules of Casino Games
- Rules of Casino Keno, Racing Game and Gaming Machines
(includes keno, racing game, electronic gaming machines, gaming machine tournaments, and rules of bingo)
- Rules of Casino Table Games
(includes blackjack, baccarat, caribbean stud poker, tournament play, roulette, electronic roulette, tai sai, money wheel, electronic money wheel, craps, pai gow, poker, tournament poker, ultimate texas hold'em, three card poker, casino war, and rules of casino promotions)
Regulation of Casinos
The responsibility for regulation of the gambling sector is shared between the Gambling Commission, the Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Health.The Gambling Commission's role is to:
- Set licence conditions for casinos
- Consider applications for the renewal of casino venue licences when they expire (the first expires in 2019)
- Decide whether to suspend or cancel a casino operator's or venue licence
- Consider casino venue agreements (and changes to venue agreements) between casino operators and venue licence holders
- Consider applications for casino operators’ licences
- Consider and decide appeals against Department of Internal Affairs decisions relating to Class 3 and Class 4 gambling licences and licensed promoters’ licences
- Consider and decide appeals relating to Department of Internal Affairs decisions on Minimum Operating Standards
- Consider and decide appeals on decisions by the Department of Internal Affairs on Certificates of Approval for casino employees
- Consider and decide appeals on decisions by the Department of Internal Affairs on associated persons in casinos
- Consider and deal with complaints about the Department of Internal Affairs’ handling of complaints about Class 4 gambling
- Have an independent role in the problem gambling levy setting process
- Advise the Minister on matters relating to Gambling Commission functions.
Associated Persons
The Gambling Act 2003 requires that persons who have or will have a significant influence in a casino must be approved as an associated person for that casino. The meaning of significant influence is defined in section 7 of the Gambling Act 2003.
For more information see Fact Sheet 29: Associated Persons - CasinosEither the Gambling Commission or the Secretary for Internal Affairs will be responsible for approving associated persons, depending on the circumstances. Before someone can be approved as an associated person the Secretary must be satisfied that the person is suitable. Investigations into the suitability of prospective associated persons is thorough and extensive. The suitability of prospective associated persons must be investigated to ensure the integrity of the management, ownership and operation of casinos in New Zealand.
An assessment of suitability requires the completion of an Associated Persons Application Form.
For more information contact the 
Gambling Group.Certificates of Approval
The Gambling Act 2003 requires that all persons must hold a Certificate of Approval if they are employed in a casino in any capacity relating to the following:
- Conducting casino games
- Counting money or chips derived from or used in gambling
- Moving money or chips derived from or used in gambling
- Buying or redeeming chips
- Operating, maintaining, constructing, or repairing gambling equipment
- Supervising or managing any of the above activities.
More Information
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Most of our facilities are open to people of all ages. However, you must be 20 years or older to enter or purchase alcohol in our gaming areas, and you must be 18 or older to purchase alcohol in all other areas.
20+ only in gaming areas
SkyCity Hamilton is committed to keeping minors off all gaming floors and will rigorously enforce the prevention of under-age gambling in its casinos.
Indiana Casino Restrictions
Our security and gaming staff are trained to be particularly vigilant for the presence of under-age persons, however any member of staff has the authority to approach suspected under-age gamblers and seek identification for proof of age.
Unattended Children
SkyCity Hamilton management does not tolerate children who are loitering, or more specifically, left unattended on any part of its property:
- Employees are required to report to Security any incident where it is apparent that a child has been left unattended by their guardian or caregiver
- Security Officers intervene and take all practicable steps to locate an adult responsible for an unattended child. In every case where negligence is proven the Police are contacted and the patron trespassed from the SkyCity Hamilton property
- Security Officers patrol our car parks and surrounding streets in the immediate vicinity to detect any unattended children in vehicles.
Further to this, SkyCity Hamilton management take all practical steps to discourage the presence of children in areas adjacent to the gaming facilities.
Translated brochures
Age limits FAQ
What ID is acceptable?
- A current NZ or overseas passport
- A current NZ or overseas photo driver licence
- A current Hospitality Association (HANZ) 18+ or Kiwi Access card
- Any other current ID with a photo, date of birth, and which is the product of a government institution
We recommend our customers visiting SkyCity Hamilton who are travelling from overseas bring their passport with them as the best form of identification
What are the penalties for showing false ID?
- Use of false ID is illegal -you may be prosecuted and fined up to NZ$500
- If you are a visitor to New Zealand and are prosecuted, it could affect your eligibility to have your permit renewed.
What are the penalties for being underage in a gaming area?
Sky City Casino
- If you are under 20 and are found in a gaming area then SkyCity will take out a trespass order against you. You won’t be able to return to SkyCity for two years — even if you turn 20 in the meantime
- You may also be prosecuted and fined up to NZ$500
- If you are a visitor to New Zealand and are prosecuted, it could affect your eligibility to have your permit renewed.
Sky City Casino Age Restrictions
What are the penalties for underage drinking?
- If you are under 18 and you buy alcohol, you are liable for an infringement fee of NZ$200 or a fine of up to NZ$2000
- If you are under 18 and you are in a restricted or supervised area of a licensed premise (without a parent or legal guardian), you are liable for an infringement fee of NZ$200 or a fine of up to NZ$2000
- SkyCity will also take out a trespass order against you, and you won’t be able to return to SKYCITY for two years — even if you turn 18 in the meantime.
What is a HANZ 18+ or Kiwi Access card?
Colorado Casino Restrictions
- They are widely accepted photo ID for people who don’t have a current NZ or overseas passport, or a NZ driver’s licence.
- Application forms are available from the Hospitality Association or at any NZ Post Shop.