New player identification system aims to reduce gambling harm and restore regulatory trust
A New Era of Responsible Gaming
SkyCity Entertainment Group has unveiled Carded Play, a mandatory player identification system for all table and machine games at its New Zealand properties. The new system forms part of the operator’s broader efforts to strengthen harm minimisation protocols following years of regulatory scrutiny and financial penalties.
Under Carded Play, customers must sign up for a “Show by SkyCity” card, which is linked to personal identification (verified through photo ID) and tracks gameplay activity. Sign-up is available both online and on-site. This move is intended to move the casino group away from its previously anonymous system, allowing for real-time behavioral insights and earlier interventions for at-risk players.
Tracking, Transparency, and Early Intervention
Once a player is signed in, the system will monitor session durations, wagering patterns, and potential red flags—offering both the casino and the player access to detailed usage statistics. This insight empowers players to self-regulate their habits and helps SkyCity identify potential signs of problem gambling before it escalates.
According to SkyCity COO Callum Mallett, “Carded Play gives us the tools to better support our customers… It allows us to identify patterns of concern earlier and encourage breaks before harm occurs.”
Compliance, Reputation, and Market Confidence
SkyCity’s introduction of Carded Play is not only a move toward enhanced customer protection—it also serves as a strategic response to ongoing regulatory pressures. In recent years, the company has faced a string of compliance breaches, including a NZ$4.16 million penalty earlier in 2024 for failing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations.
Currently, SkyCity’s executives are under investigation by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) for historical compliance failures between 2016 and 2022. Additionally, an investor has filed a AU$67 million (US$44.9 million) lawsuit, alleging corporate negligence in addressing risks tied to financial crime.
Financial Outlook and Strategic Shifts
The launch comes as SkyCity adjusts its FY25 EBITDA guidance downward, now forecasting earnings in the range of NZ$225–NZ$245 million (US$135.9m–US$148m), a 4% drop year-over-year. This projection reflects both compliance-related costs and changing consumer behavior in response to regulatory tightening.
Despite the financial impact, SkyCity appears committed to restoring investor and public confidence by embracing transparency and robust responsible gambling measures.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for SkyCity
Carded Play represents a pivotal shift in how SkyCity operates in New Zealand. Beyond enhancing responsible gambling tools, it signals a cultural shift toward accountability and player wellbeing. In a region increasingly wary of corporate misconduct within gaming, this move may set a precedent for other operators to follow—placing harm reduction and data-driven oversight at the heart of the customer experience.
