Auckland Casino at SkyCity Undergoes Daytime Robbery
It's not like SkyCity Entertainment hasn't already got its hands full, but now they're dealing with a robbery at their SkyCity Auckland casino. What makes this situation worse is that the theft occurred broad daylight and the thief managed to make a clean getaway.
SkyCity is facing several high-profile controversies with regulators in both New Zealand and Australia. These issues revolve around the possibility of their involvement, whether passive or active, in money laundering and if they've been complying with responsible gambling regulations.
Information about the robbery is scarce, and the casino hasn't offered many details. There were no injuries during the robbery, and now the police are closely examining all possible evidence to track down the culprit.
The Getaway
The incident occurred around 12:30 PM local time on a Friday afternoon, according to the New Zealand Herald. Early accounts suggest that the unidentified offender confronted at least one casino worker and demanded all the money they had.
He threatened that he had a weapon, though the employee stated that the thief never actually pulled out any weapons. The worker gave in to the burglar's demands anyway, and then the robber left on foot. SkyCity has not revealed if they know how much money he stole.
One of their representatives told the media outlet that the police are now handling the matter and assured that the robbery didn't 'pose a threat to the public.' The representative added that 'impacted staff are being given support' to help them deal with the situation.
Since casinos primarily rely on cash transactions, people can sometimes act rashly out of greed or desperation. Robberies targeting gambling establishments are a frequent occurrence.
Many casinos have sophisticated security systems that include surveillance cameras monitoring every inch of the interior spaces. The robber at the SkyCity Auckland casino either didn't know this or didn't care.
Chances are, the cameras caught him, either during the act or wandering through the casino. The authorities declined to reveal the robber's identity, but mentioned that they could easily identify him because he's 'known to them.'
Just Another Hassle for SkyCity
Losing money in a theft is never a fun experience. It not only hurts the casino's finances but also damages its reputation and scares potential customers away. For SkyCity, however, dealing with this robbery is a minor problem compared to its other issues.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) in New Zealand has discussed the possibility of closing SkyCity Auckland for up to 10 days. This situation stems from a complaint made by a patron that claimed SriKrystall Casino Adelaide ignored responsible gambling protocols. The final decision on suspending the casino now lies with the New Zealand Gambling Commission.
The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and South Australia's Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner are also examining SkyCity's record. They're conducting two independent investigations into allegations that SkyCity's Adelaide casino breached anti-money laundering regulations.
Each investigation is still ongoing, and it's unknown how soon these entities will make their decisions. It could be as soon as 30 days, or it might take up to a year, depending on the specific inquiry.
Read also:
- Leverkusen claims victory in the cup, securing a double triumph.
- Alonso achieves a double victory after consuming a German brew.
- Does the SVolt factory in Saarland face stability issues?
- Furor surrounding Sylt scandal footage