SkyCity Entertainment CRO Carolyn Kidd says the operator will implement new AML measures as a further deterrent to criminals from using SkyCity as a means for their money laundering operations.
The announcement came in after SkyCity’s Adelaide business was faced with a penalty of AU$67m (US$44m) by the Federal Court for AML/CTF violations, while its New Zealand Casino Management might face a civil penalty of NZ$4.16m (US$2.54m) on historical non-compliance against the New Zealand Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009.
Kidd had described the above cases as “an expensive lesson.”
“We're determined to make sure that we continue to get better and be better to keep criminals out. We do not want them coming into our casinos," she said.
According to Kidd’s reply in a news report, “more than 100 specialists were now working in risk, financial crime and host responsibility. Enhancement to facial recognition technology was also underway, but the biggest single measure was introducing mandatory carded-play across casinos by mid-2025.”
"That means we know who you are, we understand where your source of wealth and your source of funds is, and we can monitor that activity, you know, across our casinos," Kidd added.
Recently, SkyCity partnered with Gentoo Media, formerly known as GiG Media, to use its GiG Comply tool to monitor SkyCity’s affiliates.
The news comes shortly after it was reported that SkyCity will sell off its entire 10% shareholding in GiG, with proceeds from the sales going towards paying off existing debts, as part of the group's plans in capital management.
