ChCh Casino

Temporary ChCh Casino site 'not an option'

PAUL GORMAN

Last updated 05:00 05/04/2011

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Christchurch Earthquake 2011

City looks ahead to a much brighter futureEarthquake woes set to intensify'Indirect' deaths may lift final tollCera reviews Parklands zoningHillside damage 'not as severe'Record number of prescriptions dished outEQC cops shoddy jobs complaintsYear leaves its mark on everyoneQuakes give Canty a violent geology lessonHomes for cats needed

The Christchurch Casino has ruled out any move to temporary premises and hopes to reopen its central-city site by the middle of next month.

Casino employees have until 5pm today to let management know if they want to receive this week a four-week redundancy payout.

The 538 staff have been asked to consider an alternative arrangement in which they use accrued holidays and then take leave without pay until the casino reopens.

Chief executive Brett Anderson said staff had been fully paid since the February 22 earthquake.

He said the casino, owned equally by Skyline Enterprises and SkyCity, suffered some damage in the magnitude-6.3 quake.

It was off-limits because it was inside the inner-city cordon, within the fall zone of the Copthorne Hotel in Durham St and and close to other unstable buildings, including the New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education and BDO House in Victoria St.

The casino has been given a yellow sticker, but Anderson said it would take about a month to clean up the damage, none of which was substantial.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee had suggested the casino might be able to operate elsewhere, and restrictions on its location in its licence could be overcome in special earthquake legislation.

Anderson said that was not an option. It was logistically impractical to have casino equipment on a temporary site and still meet legal requirements. "Our goal is to open back up in the city and play a part in the revitalisation of the city."

He did not want to predict when the casino might reopen, although the latest information suggested it could be mid-May.

"It's quite speculative. I want to give people hope, but not false hope," he said.

Since Saturday, more than a third of staff had responded to the employment options raised, he said. Three-quarters of those had said they wanted to use their holidays and take leave without pay.

Anderson informed staff on Saturday that it was no longer financially viable for the casino to keep paying $410,000 a week in pay.

Prime Minister John Key said after yesterday's Cabinet meeting: "They have a site-specific licence, so it's difficult for them to operate from somewhere else."

Casinos, Gambling and Sports Betting in New Zealand

The New Zealand TAB initiated the world's first Government-run totalisator betting service in 1951. The TAB (totalisation agency board) is run by the New Zealand Racing board and controls all of New Zealand's horse, greyhound and sports gambling. They have branches set up all over New Zealand as well as at all race meets. In 1996 it added fixed odds betting to its horse and greyhound gambling options, when the TAB began sports betting.

The three racing sports that New Zealanders bet on before fixed odds Sports betting was made legal were;

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (gallops)

Harness Racing New Zealand (trotting and pacing)

New Zealand Greyhound Racing (greyhounds)

Now over 26 sports are covered with sports from all over the world, including baseball, rugby, football, golf, tennis and cricket to shearing.

In 2003 when the New Zealand racing board was set up it conducted a survey the found out that racing;

Generates some 1.3% of New Zealand's gdp - around $1.5bn per year

Creates some 18,300 full time jobs, generating more than $679m in salaries and wages. That's the figure, measured in "full time equivalents"

Generates more than $130m in export sales of horses

Holds more than 780 race meetings a year, attended by more than 1.04m customers.

Since 1994 when the Christchurch Casino opened the government has given out 6 licences to companies for legalised Casinos to operate in New Zealand. At this stage the NZ government will not be issuing any more licenses. The Casinos are located in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Dunedin and two in Queenstown.

It is no surprise that all of the casinos are flourishing and they are returning some of there profit to the community through sponsorship and grants to charities.

The Casinos have also opened the way for pubs/bars and sports clubs around New Zealand to place "pokies" (electronic gambling machines) in their establishments. A large amount of the profit off these "pokies" is given back to the community through government grants and sponsorships given out by the sports club or pub/bar.

With the increased in gambling it is of no surprise to anyone that there has been an increased level in gambling related crime and illness. This is the price you have to pay to bring the many jobs and money to the communities that have gambling establishments near them.

New Zealand has embraced casino gambling with both hands and if you can control your emotion and that feeling to bet just a little bit more, it can be a fun way of having a bet and a nice meal.

Christchurch Car Hire - Events to Attend in Christchurch

Christchurch car hire is your ticket to exploration on your New Zealand holiday. Of course, you'll be happy to know that you don't even have to drive very far to find plenty of activities to keep you busy on your holiday. For example, you can head to the Christchurch city centre and find plenty of goings on no matter when you arrive.

Here are some of the best and most popular events to attend while you are in Christchurch:

- Christchurch Art Gallery shows. This gallery is always full of great art shows, including both permanent and temporary exhibits that change every one to three months depending on the exhibit. You can stop in anytime and check out some of the greatest art in the country.

- Summertimes: This includes many outdoor events held throughout the city and suburbs for any age group, many of which have free entry.

- NZ Poker Championships: Held at Christchurch Casino, this event is always worth a look. It is hosted every April, so check to see if it's in town when you are because it might be in another city from year to year.

- Friday Farmers' Market: This event is held every Friday by the Arts Centre, offering some of the best local vendors available in the region. You can enjoy bread, produce, pastries, fish, wines, and much more.

- Sumner Art and Craft Market: The market is held from the months of October to April, and on the first Saturday every month. This is a great event to see local artisans and vendors perfecting their craft and selling their goods, edibles and wares.

- Northwood Village Fair: This fair is an annual event in Christchurch that features arts, crafts, activities, music, games for kids, and much more. This is held in Northwood Park and raises money for charity organisations and local schools.

- Concerts, Shows, and More: The city has a full list of different musical concerts, theatre shows, and other cultural events that are ongoing throughout the year. Check the calendar before you arrive to see what you might be able to enjoy while you're in town.

There is plenty to do and see while you are in Christchurch, so make sure that you get out there and explore your options. Christchurch car hire will allow you to get from one event to the next with ease.