Drug boss spent $15m at casino

5:00 AM Saturday May 23, 2015

 

Head of pseudoephedrine syndicate produced $67 million turnover in wins and losses at SkyCity’s VIP room. ''

 

 

 

 

One of New Zealand's biggest convicted drug smugglers spent $15 million at SkyCity casino - while receiving the unemployment benefit.

Van Thanh Tran was one of six casino high-rollers under surveillance by police in Operation Ghost, which targeted an organised crime syndicate smuggling large shipments of pseudoephedrine from China into Auckland.

Tran was the "boss" and has yet to be sentenced after earlier pleading guilty to importing and distributing pseudoephedrine, used to manufacture methamphetamine, including 250kg smuggled in a single shipment.

Also known as Peter or "Elder Brother Ching", Tran had been on the unemployment benefit since immigrating to New Zealand in 1993 until 2012. A father of three, he has lived at a number of addresses in Auckland and Dunedin, where he ran a tiling company, but was living in Flat Bush, in South Auckland during the Operation Ghost investigation.

But a Herald investigation can reveal that the 48-year-old was one of six VIPs at SkyCity under surveillance in Operation Ghost.

The police discovered Tran's identity by using an undercover officer to pose as a drug dealer and infiltrate a pseudoephedrine syndicate, then "working their way up the tree". Tran was sitting at the top.

He sold pseudoephedrine in bulk to wholesalers with their own supply networks, but kept his "hands clean" by using lieutenants to keep his stockpiles safe and deliver packages on his instructions.

Evidence given during the trial described him as a "big gambler", once losing $800,000 in a week, and a loan shark who would lend amounts as large as $300,000.

SkyCity records show he spent $15 million in a 15-month period and his volume of play - the churn of money won and lost - was $67 million.

Overall Tran lost more than $1.1 million.

The high-roller also held an account with SkyCity in which he deposited $2.5 million of gaming chips, cheques and cash in 11 months and withdrew $460,000 during the same time.

 

Police say this level of gambling is consistent with someone who can access substantial sums of cash despite declaring a much smaller legitimate income, according to an affidavit in a parallel civil court case to seize Tran's assets.

"Many of those involved in drug dealing activity attend casinos for the purpose of 'laundering' funds that have been generated through their unlawful activity."

The police have seized two homes from Tran, several cars including an Audi, $85,000 cash, bank accounts holding more than $200,000 as well as jewellery. Most of these assets were held in the names of family members.

The link between organised crime and the casino gives ammunition to the anti-gambling lobbyists who warned SkyCity could become a "scene for large-scale criminal activity or a meeting place for people who commit serious crimes".

But SkyCity said it was "extremely comfortable" it had met obligations under anti-money laundering and problem gambling laws, while the millions of dollars gambled "were not out of the ordinary" by VIP standards.

A spokesman said the casino could not comment on individuals for privacy reasons and strict disclosure rules in the anti-money laundering laws, but confirmed "a number of those people did come to our attention on several occasions".

"We were co-operative with the police from the start of this investigation. We are extremely confident that we took all appropriate actions under AML requirements and also that we took proactive steps from a host responsibility perspective," the spokesman said.

These steps - some of which predated Operation Ghost - included staff interventions, interviews, monitoring, and, in several cases, banning people from the casino.

"Only a few of the group of players identified by police were regular visitors to the casino, and the level of their play varied widely. In most cases their turnover was not out of the ordinary for local VIPs."

Any suspicious transactions are immediately reported to the Police Financial Intelligence Unit.

A spokesman for Internal Affairs said the department was committed to ensuring that casinos remained free from criminal influence or exploitation and held regular meetings with SkyCity and government agencies to discussing a "variety of issues".

He said the DIA worked closely with the police during Operation Ghost.

"Large amounts of money can be gambled in casinos and does not of itself necessarily raise issues. In the course of our operations, we liaise and co-operate with other enforcement agencies but would not take any action which could jeopardise a current operation."

VIP gamblers at SkyCity casino

"Peter" Van Thanh Tran
Spent $15 million in a 15-month period and his volume of play was $67 million. Overall lost $1.1 million. Also deposited $2.5 million of gaming chips, cheques and cash into SkyCity account in 11 months and withdrew $460,000. Also a loan shark. Pleaded guilty to pseudoephedrine charges.

Da Wen Shao
Banned for loan sharking. In the eight months prior, spent $3.3 million, with a turnover of $13.2 million and total losses of $248,000. Fled New Zealand.

Chuck Lou Tarm. Photo / Supplied

Chuck Lou Tarm
Blamed his drug offending on his gambling addiction. Owed money to loan shark. Sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison.

"Alex" Zhi Tong Li
Known as a "big player". Convicted of pseudoephedrine and methamphetamine charges.

"J" (name suppressed)
Gambled $600,000 of family money and amassed a further $500,000 debts over two years. Banned for problem gambling and arranged deals for loan sharks. Yet to stand trial.

"M" (name suppressed)
Yet to stand trial.

Other gamblers:

Zhi Wei Yang
Had a total "buy in" of $2 million, a turnover of $14 million and total losses of $500,000. Despite this, he was not a VIP. Left New Zealand and still at large.

Felix Lim
Small player who gambled socially. Was targeted by Joe Arama, the undercover police officer, to infiltrate the drug syndicate. Fled New Zealand.

SkyCity lounges served as office for criminal ringleaders

Operation Ghost did not uncover any evidence of drug deals taking place inside SkyCity but this is not the first time the casino has been linked in court to a major drugs operation.

Two ringleaders, Tac Kin Voong and Ri Tong Zhou, spent nearly $20 million at the casino in 12 months while using the VIP lounges as an office to conduct their criminal affairs.

In sentencing Zhou to 15 years in prison in 2009, Justice Rhys Harrison noted that anti-gambling lobbyists had warned the casino could become a "scene for large-scale criminal activity or a meeting place for people who commit serious crimes".

A 2007 report by the Department of Internal Affairs revealed "a significant amount of evidence" that predominantly Asian groups "were frequenting New Zealand casinos for the purposes of criminal networking, money laundering and social gambling using illegitimate funds".

One of SkyCity's VIP gaming salons. Photo / Supplied

Alongside the criminal inquiry of Operation Ghost, police launched a parallel investigation into the finances of the accused in a bid to seize their assets. "This investigation initially focused on a number of VIP members at SkyCity casino, in particular, the flow of money related to drug transactions through the casino," according to an affidavit sworn by Detective Inspector Bruce Good.

"From my experience and numerous intelligence reports and organised crime investigations, SkyCity casino and, in particular, the VIP facilities are a recognised money laundering risk and an environment within which numerous drug distribution groups work, both alone and alongside one another."

More than $20 million in assets were restrained under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.

The law essentially forces someone to prove how an asset was paid for - even if they were acquitted on criminal charges.

- NZ Herald

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11453261

Elderly hit to support Gambling Addiction

Elderly hit for pokie money

By John Maslin

6:30 AM Monday Jun 16, 2014

Punters are emptying the accounts of elderly relatives to feed their gambling habit. Photo/File

More elderly people are being used as cash cows for family members feeding their own gambling addictions and it has to stop, according to credit union NZCU Baywide.

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Gavin Earle, NZCU chief executive officer, said financial exploitation of the elderly by children addicted to gambling was a growing problem in New Zealand.

Mr Earle said his company was calling for families and friends to safeguard older people to ensure their funds stay in their accounts and don't end up down pokie machine slots.

He said in New Zealand, the impact of elder abuse was felt throughout the community in a number of ways, including instances of older people being used as a source of money by their children to feed their gambling habits.

He said according to the Te Rangihaeata Oranga Trust, a leading provider of gambling services, addiction to pokie machines is the problem they see the most of in their work.

"Gambling is a huge problem in our communities and it is up to each and every one of us to do what we can to help.

"In the space of only three months, more than $2.2 million was spent in pokie machines in Wanganui, This is a shocking amount of money in anyone's language," Mr Earle said.

NZCU Baywide recently invited the Te Rangihaeata Oranga Trust to speak to its team leaders about the growing problems of gambling.

"We all need to become more vigilant and investigate unusual behaviour, such as a young person accompanying their older relative to the bank to withdraw large sums of money, or withdrawing money on a regular basis from an account they have access to. We owe it to our older people," he said. The United Nations designated June 15 as a day to encourage communities to recognise the problem of elderly abuse and focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional and financial abuse of elders.

The UN estimates indicate that by 2050, the global population of people above the age of 60 will exceed the number of younger people. These changes have led to a worldwide recognition of the problems and challenges that face the elderly.

Research has shown that elderly abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation are some of the biggest issues facing senior citizens around the world.

World Health Organisation data suggests that four to six per cent of elderly suffer from some form of abuse, a large percentage of which goes unreported.

- WANGANUI CHRONICLE

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11274715

The Crack Cocaine of Gambling

Christchurch gambling culture revealed

ANNA TURNER

Fairfax NZ

SHOW ME THE MONEY: Pokie machines are labelled the 'crack cocaine' of the gaming industry.

Flashing lights, loud noises and an instant hit.

It's no wonder gaming machines have been labelled the "crack cocaine" of gambling.

Non-casino pokie machines are causing serious damage to communities, prompting the Government to announce a $55.3 million strategy to help combat problem gambling.

Christchurch, with the most number of venues and pokie machines of any major centre in New Zealand, remains right at the heart of the raging issue.

Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) figures show Christchurch is still down 400 non-casino pokie machines since before the earthquakes, but gambling on the machines hasn't taken the same hit.
 
Salvation Army Oasis Centre for problem gambling co-ordinator Tony Foster said it had seen a "huge influx" in clients over the past 18 months.

"We've had a lot of people coming in at absolute crisis point," he said.

"Canterbury has a lot of pokie machines and a lot of people who are suffering from issues."

Between March and June, Christchurch's non-casino gaming machine proceeds rose by $1.8m - the highest rise of any region in the country - despite the fact Christchurch lost nine gaming machines during the period.

Christchurch City's gaming proceeds for the April to June quarter were more than $20m, which accounted for nearly 10 per cent of New Zealand's gaming machine proceeds.

Foster said there was "no single profile" of a problem gambler.

"There's no exact age or status and it's split pretty much down the middle between males and females.

Our youngest client was 17 and our oldest was 84. It really could be anyone."
Problem gamblers "developed a relationship" with their machine, he said.

"All they think about is that machine. They talk to it, they kiss it, they hug it, they yell at it."

This resulted in problem gamblers experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, weight loss and even developing urinary tract infections because they did not want to leave their machine to go to the bathroom.

Many also lost jobs, relationships, homes and some turned to crime to fund their addiction.

They weren't just hurting themselves, though; each problem gambler was estimated to have an impact on five to ten other people.

"That's a lot of people in Christchurch who are being hurt by this," Foster said.
Christchurch psychologist Dr Simon Adamson described pokies as the "crack cocaine" of gambling.

"Unlike Lotto, if you lose you don't have to wait a week to play again, you can gamble as frequently as every few seconds and can spend large amounts of money doing so," he said.

"Given the danger of pokie machines, we should be concerned at how widely available they are, but at the same time pleased that the Christchurch City Council has instituted a ‘sinking lid' policy to gradually reduce the number of machines in our city."

Adamson said problem gambling was characterised by escalating levels of gambling in the pursuit of excitement, unsuccessful attempts to control gambling, using gambling to cope with negative moods, and trying desperately to win back losses.


However, Internal Affairs minister Chris Tremain said he was not concerned about the state of gambling in Christchurch as it was "not rising but stable".

He said there had been a decline in Christchurch of 2.7 per cent for gaming machine proceeds since 2012 and dismissed the latest quarterly increase as a normal "fluctuation".

Tremain cited figures showing that the city's non-casino gaming machine profits in 2008 were $81.6m, whereas last year this was down to $79m.
But Foster refuted Tremain's claims.

"Figures may be going down but we know problem gambling is still huge here. We have seen a huge increase in the number of people seeking help with our services over the last year."
   
He also noted that Tremain's figures did not include pokie machines at the casino, where a large chunk of gambling occurred.

Tremain recently dropped the problem gambling levy from 1.48 per cent to 1.31 per cent as "there had been no significant change to problem gambling data".

On top of the levy - used to fund problem gambling programmes - gambling trusts are required to distribute a minimum of 37.5 per cent of their pokies proceeds back into to the community.

There are 12 trusts operating in Christchurch.

Tremain said the amount which trusts were required to return to the community would soon be lifted.
"Every additional one per cent increase means an $7 million more for community and sporting groups."

However, Foster said there were "serious problems" with the system.

"There's no requirement for it to go back into the community where it comes from. The gambling trusts put machines in low-decile areas but that's not where the money goes back. They take the money out of Aranui and put it back into a soccer club in Fendalton."

No matter how much the Government raised the contribution, Foster said the cost of gambling was still too high.

If you are concerned about your own gambling, or the gambling of someone close to you, call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655.

95 Venues in Christchurch City ward with gaming machines as at June 30, operating a total of 1332 machines.

7% The proportion of gambling machines in New Zealand this represents.

$20m Christchurch's gaming proceeds for the April to June 2013 quarter – nearly 10 per cent of nationwide profits. $1.8m

The rise in Christchurch's gaming machine proceeds between March 2013 and June 2013, the highest jump in the country.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9081419/Christchurch-gambling-culture-revealed

 

Struggling with Gambling Addiction

Woman dreams of world without pokies

Home » News » Dunedin

By Chris Morris on Thu, 20 Jun 2013

 

At the height of her gambling addiction, Karen Hansen dreamed of being locked in a prison cell.
Now the Dunedin woman dreams of a world without poker machines, so her grandchildren do not follow in her footsteps.
  
Mrs Hansen delivered to the Dunedin City Council's hearings committee yesterday a powerful personal account of her decade-long struggle with pokies. She told the committee her addiction had taken a heavy toll - consuming her wages, and later her job, as well as friendships and the trust of family members.

• Future of Dunedin pokies up for debate...

At her worst, Mrs Hansen was pouring $1200 a fortnight into the machines, leaving no money for groceries or to fill her car with petrol.

Sometimes, the urge to gamble was so powerful, she would stop vacuuming partway through, get into her car and rush to the machines.

''I couldn't wait to get there. I used to speed to get there and it was only around the corner,'' she said.

The only way to be ''protected from myself'' seemed to be the fantasy of a prison cell, she said.

''I was desperate to go to jail because I just wanted to be locked up.''

Her addiction had shut her off from much of the outside world, including friendships, and she lost her job at Christmas after she ''lashed out at another employee''.

''I was at breaking point as I had gambled the money I had put aside to visit my daughter and grandchildren for Christmas, and now I couldn't go.

''My children know I have a gambling problem and it's so hard looking them in the face. They buy birthday and Christmas presents for their children and put my name on the card because they know I can't.

''The little angels phone me to say thank you for the presents. I am lying to them as I can't even afford to buy them a card,'' Mrs Hansen said.

She was now receiving counselling for her addiction, which had helped, but was still sometimes overpowered by the machines' pull, Mrs Hansen said.

She had decided to speak out to support the committee's plan to cap numbers of machines and venues.
  
''I'm embarrassed about the situation I'm in ... It's something I wish had never happened to me, I can tell you that.''

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/261750/woman-dreams-world-without-pokies

 

Rival lawsuits based on illicit gaming

REBECCA STEVENSON

Last updated 05:00 12/05/2013

Rules of the game: The High Court decision was based on the principle that no one should benefit from his or her own wrong.

A struggling Auckland golf club which sold its course to property developers ran an illegal pokies operation which pulled in almost $1 million in revenue from gamblers and paid out under $10,000 in grants.

A recent High Court judgment revealed one of Auckland's oldest golf clubs, the Manukau Golf Club, ran an illicit gaming operation in a Takinini bar - the Trophy Bar - between late 2007 and 2009.

The golf club and the Trophy Bar's owner, Maurice Joyce, subsequently unsuccessfully sued each other to cover losses each side claimed they suffered as a result of the closure of the 18-machine gaming operation.

Manukau's venue licence for the Trophy Bar operation was suspended by the Department of Internal Affairs for 30 days in December 2009 after an audit uncovered venue overpayments, late banking and poor paperwork. Manukau surrendered its venue licence at around the same time, and the bar closed.
Manukau then claimed more than $1.18 m from Joyce's company, Shoye Venture, for failing to adhere to the terms of the venue agreement, which detailed how the bar's pokie operation was to run, in accordance with gambling regulations.

However, the parties operated a contradictory side agreement involving the illegal gambling operation, where the distance between Manukau as the gaming licence holder, and Shoye as the venue manager, was not maintained.

The golf club alleged in its civil suit that the bar closure cost the club $638,000 in lost gaming revenue, that more than $65,000 in gaming profits was unpaid and that Shoye was overpaid for venue payments.

Internal Affairs' audit into Manukau's gaming operation in early 2009 found overpayments of $101,368 were made to Shoye. Shoye was paid more than $2300 per week for its interest in the business - in breach of gambling regulations - and it received more than $260,000 in venue payments over the two years.

Manukau Golf Club's 2009 annual report showed income from off-site gaming at the Trophy Bar was $987,611 over its two years of operation, 2008 and 2009. Of this the golf club paid out $9800 in grants.

It recorded $134,571 as "misappropriations" from the off-site gaming operation. In addition, almost $60,000 was spent on advertising - Manukau paid the Trophy Bar about $4000 per month for advertising club memberships when a club membership for a year was only $1500. Legal fees were $50,000. Shoye denied Manukau's claim and counterclaimed for more than $1.15m from the failed gaming deal and the loss of the Trophy Bar business. It said Manukau ran the gaming operation and bar outright through golf club employee Tania Mara - not Joyce and Shoye - and had no responsibility for the venue, the gaming operation, or any liabilities or losses. Joyce sought compensation for the loss of the Trophy Bar business, its income, and other losses resulting from the closure of the gaming operation, including $30,000 to settle a lease on the bar's premises.
Shoye said the venue overpayments were made by Manukau to another company, Trophy Bar Ltd, which was controlled by the golf club, not Shoye. Trophy Bar Ltd was owned by Mara.

In a ruling out last month Justice Ailsa Duffy dismissed both claims and found neither the Manukau Golf Club, or Joyce through his company Shoye Venture, could sue each other as "it would allow them to sue to recover losses that are a consequence of their illegal gambling operation". To allow

Manukau to sue would offend the principle that no one should benefit from his or her own wrong, Justice Duffy said.

"The loss of the Trophy Bar business and any income Shoye might have received from leasing the bar to a third party was the direct result of the failed and illegal gambling operation. Shoye was a willing participant in that operation."

The club sold its historic Manukau course to Fletcher Residential last year for $40m to ease financial pressures blamed on dwindling memberships and unfunded course improvements, and will move to a new site in 2016. It has about 750 members left.

Club general manager Stewart Halligan refused comment on record about the civil suits and Joyce did not respond to calls.

Several members responsible for running the club at the time of the illegal gaming are no longer doing so, including former club manager Ross Keown, golf club chairman Edward Malloch, and men's team captain Anthony Barrow.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/8661677/Rival-lawsuits-based-on-illicit-gaming

'Gambling has ruined my life'

Gambling levels are rife in our society and something has to give.

ANONYMOUS

When I was 18 I turned $6 into just over $1000 in a couple of hours while at a Wellington sports bar.

This gambling was easy - I was on to a winning thing. Why wasn't everyone doing this?

Since then I would estimate my gambling losses at somewhere around $40,000. At least $15,000 of that is debt. I have an illness. A seemingly uncontrollable urge to gamble. Every. Last. Dollar. And then some.

My gambling addiction has cost me my wonderful girlfriend, countless mates and caused strained relationships with every family member.

It has caused depression, anxiety and had adverse effects on my ability to study.

I have slept in homeless shelters and on the street, gambled rent away and have tried to commit suicide twice.

I'm seeking help, but I struggle every time a dollar, let alone a pay check, passes through my fingers.
Gambling has ruined my life and yet I can't stop. As I write this I flick between the online poker I have running - playing free tournaments in the hope of winning back minute amounts of money - and this article.

All by the age of 21.

But I write this not so much to tell my story as to question why our society is so accepting of gambling.

One only has to go for a walk down Wellington's Courtenay Place to realise how entrenched gambling is in our society - even in a city without a casino.

People can play the pokies at more than nine places, play the TAB at three and on various nights play poker at three places. All within 450 metres.

I understand that for many - the majority of - people who gamble it's a fun social activity. The majority of people don't give the house the majority of money, however. The people who spend the longest at the TAB - the people I know well - cannot afford to lose and yet put in more money than anyone else. They cannot stop.

When people are aware they have a gambling problem they are able to enter themselves on to a voluntary self-exclusion database at all establishments that have gambling. In theory this means the bookies won't accept bets from people who have their photo and details on the list.

However, this list, particularly the TAB one - which is sent widely around every TAB - is so ineffective that in all likelihood if I was in Wellington's central city I could easily place a bet at any one of several outlets. This is even easier in other cities where I am less likely to be recognised. On countless attempts I've only ever been stopped twice outside Wellington.

The same system is applied at casino's but I am skeptical about whether it is in their best interests to adhere to their own policies - after all what business wants to turn away their biggest customers? I am on this list and yet have only ever been approached once - after losing $1400 over 3 hours - even then only as I was leaving after I'd already lost my money.

I am not suggesting banning gambling, but something needs to be done to stop the systemic abuse the gambling industry does to their most vulnerable customers.

For while we all have to take personal responsibility, gambling is an addiction, largely caused by a lack of dopamine - the chemical the brain releases to make people feel happy. Pokies are designed to trigger dopamine centres in the brain. Bright lights, colours, loud noises and many, many, small wins. Casinos are designed to keep people playing, and losing, longer. Longer. Longer.

Pokies are supposedly used to help fund parts of society but this system makes absolutely no sense. Creating one social harm to cure another is ludicrous.

Gambling levels are rife in our society and something has to give. Either the gambling industry needs to be held to account or the amount of problem gamblers are going to increase. More children will be left outside more casinos'.

But hey, at least we'll have a convention centre.

The writer's name has been withheld to protect his identity. He has had counselling for his addiction for two years and is currently employed.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/assignments/share-your-news-and-views/8641924/Gambling-has-ruined-my-life

Gambling addict stole $13,000   

LAIRD HARPER

Last updated 10/04/2013

An accounts manager and barmaid stole more than $13,000 from Opunake's Club Hotel to feed her gambling addiction.

Over a 20-month period, Rebecca Amy Neil, 29, took money from the hotel's safe and pokie machines or wrote cheques to herself. In the Hawera District Court yesterday, Neil admitted a charge of theft by a person in a special relationship.

The court heard how as accounts manager she was able to write out hotel cheques to cover the shortfall in the Pub Charity's bank account.

Police prosecutor Steve Michael said on four occasions she also banked cheques directly into her own accounts. She then falsified or removed cheque butts in an attempt to make the transactions look legitimate to management.

Neil was remanded to reappear for sentencing on July 17 after completing a Salvation Army course on addiction.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8529773/Gambling-addict-stole-13-000

 

Gambling addict ripped off couple's life savings

MIKE WATSON
Last updated 15/03/2013

A Canadian visitor cynically scammed an elderly Taupo couple out of nearly $150,000 of their life savings to feed a gambling addiction.

J-Michael Mackett, 53, arrived in Taupo in June 2011 seeking work and immediately befriended the elderly couple after he had been sponsored into a two-year work permit by a Kinleith company.
Soon afterward, he began asking the wife for money. She initially lent Mackett $550 to pay for a car licence and was assured he would repay it.

Mackett said he had money in a Canadian pension fund, and produced documents from three investment banks to back up his claim. They were all fakes, Taupo District Court was told yesterday.

Between July 2011 and last April, the couple, who have permanent name suppression, lent Mackett a total of $148,600. It was their entire life savings.

In July 2011, Mackett got a Westpac Bank Visa Gold credit card with a $15,000 limit after ticking the online application form box that he was a permanent New Zealand resident. The card would not have been issued to a non-permanent resident. He ended up owing $23,356 on it.

Between October and November 2011, he used the counterfeit bank documents and the names of two false relatives to obtain money from Westpac Bank, which has sought $67,205 reparation.

Lawyer Steve Clarkson said Mackett's offending stemmed from a severe gambling addiction that consumed his life. "He was caught in a spiral to get money."

In sentencing Mackett to three years' jail on two representative charges of obtaining by deception, and using a document for pecuniary advantage, totalling 37 offences, Judge James Weir said he had "cynically exploited" the couple, who were helping him to settle in Taupo, in a determined effort to scam and bleed them dry.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/8429088/Gambling-addict-ripped-off-couples-life-savings

"Ashamed"

Priest jailed for stealing to feed gambling addiction   

DAVID CLARKSON

Last updated  27/02/2013

 

DAVID CLARKSON

"ASHAMED": Father John William Fitzmaurice

leaves court after his guilty pleas.

 

A Catholic priest who stole $149,000 from the church to feed a poker machine addiction has been jailed for two years and three months.

 

Father John William Fitzmaurice, who worked as a priest in the Christchurch diocese for 34 years, had admitted eight charges of dishonestly using documents and obtaining money by deception.

He was sentenced by Judge John Macdonald in the Christchurch District Court after hundreds of dishonest transactions involving writing out cash cheques which were paid into his account, or withdrawals from automatic teller machines.

Defence counsel Jonathan Eaton told the judge: "He stands before you for sentencing truly ashamed and deeply remorseful for the harm he has caused."

Fitzmaurice was aware of the breach of trust towards the bishop, the church, parishioners, family, and friends.

Crown prosecutor Marcus Zintl said it had cost the church $31,000 in investigation fees to uncover Fitzmaurice's offending. Reparation of $149,000 was sought but the church was realistic in acknowledging Fitzmaurice's inability to pay.

Zintl said the offending involved 735 separate acts of dishonesty. It was highly calculated and premeditated offending.

"The offender was a man of faith, but the very faith that was placed in him by the Catholic church and the community, he has betrayed."

Eaton said a report described the offending as "a spiralling vocational and emotional meltdown over several years".

Fitzmaurice had become increasingly isolated and lonely. His visits to the poker machines had escalated into a pathological addiction. His relationship with another problem gambler led to small scale dishonest acts to fuel his behaviours.

He had faced public humiliation because of announcements in the church and in the media, said Eaton.

He had no assets at all and had only earned a modest income from the church.

"What his future holds in terms of his relationship with the church remains to be seen."

He could not continue to work in Christchurch, but an "olive branch" had been extended by the Bishop of Auckland, and he might be able to continue his work there.

Judge Macdonald said he would make no reparation order because of Fitzmaurice's inability to pay, but if he became able to pay later, the judge said he expected he would do so.

The betrayal of trust had caused a scandal for his fellow priests and members of the Catholic community. He noted there was continuing support and compassion for Fitzmaurice, voiced in references and letters or support.

 

"I understand how ashamed you must be," said the judge. It was surprising that he had not sought help earlier.

Eaton said after the sentencing that he would be applying for Fitzmaurice's release on bail pending the hearing of an appeal.

Later in the afternoon, Judge Macdonald refused to grant bail for the appeal which is likely to be heard in April.

 

 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/8359810/Priest-jailed-for-stealing-to-feed-gambling-addiction

Rest home worker stole $3500 from delusional resident

By Matthew Backhouse
Friday Nov 9, 2012

A rest home worker who stole more than $3500 from a delusional elderly resident to fuel her gambling addiction has been sentenced to community work.

File photo / Thinkstock

Nadine Leigh Kinnersley, 42, from Wainuiomata, Wellington, convinced her 80-year-old victim to make out a cheque intended for the rest home in her name.

The man, who suffered from chronic delusional disorder and dementia, often tried to gift money to rest home workers - gifts staff were banned from accepting under a signed agreement.

Kinnersley was not charged for accepting six such gifts, but was charged with using a document for her own gain after she asked him to make out a cheque for $3772.70 in her name.

Kinnersley's lawyer said she had taken the money to fuel a gambling addiction she was seeking help for.

She sought a discharge without conviction, noting it would be difficult for her to find work at another rest home with a conviction.

Kinnersley had entered a guilty plea, attended restorative justice with her victim and repaid about a quarter of the money to the rest home, which had already reimbursed the resident.

Judge Stephen Harrop told Kinnersley she had betrayed her victim's trust, noting his delusional disorder and the fact she had known him for 11 of the 16 years she had worked at the rest home.

``He was particularly vulnerable and you knew he was.''

Judge Harrop declined a discharge without conviction and sentenced Kinnersley to 40 hours of community work. He also ordered her to repay the rest of the money owed to the rest home.

- APNZ

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10846288

Metiria Turei, MP deserves support!

Casinos face challenge to pay back stolen money

Contact: Metiria Turei MP

Email

Thursday, 18 Oct 2012 | Press Release

Contact: Metiria Turei MP

Tag: Gambling

 

A Green Party bill to force casinos to pay back some of the proceeds of crime they receive through gambling was drawn from the ballot today.

Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei's Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 (Application to Casinos) Amendment Bill would impose a special obligation on casinos to return profits derived from significant criminal activity and which they should have been able to detect.

"I urge all political parties to back my Bill to stop casinos profiting from crime," Mrs Turei said.

 

“When problem gamblers are jailed they lose their job and are separated from family and friends. Those they stole from are also worse off. The only winner is the casino."

 

"When problem gamblers are driven to crime everyone suffers except the casino, which pockets the profits.

"When problem gamblers are jailed they lose their job and are separated from family and friends. Those they stole from are also worse off. The only winner is the casino.

"There's established international evidence that casinos benefit from crime and this is the industry John Key wants to do a deal with.

"My Bill specifically includes casinos in the Criminal Proceeds of Crime (Recovery) Amendment Act and introduces a new legal test that makes them responsible for forfeiting proceeds, if they allowed the gambling to occur by not using the best methods to detect problem gambling and crime.

"My Bill will ensure the proceeds of significant criminal activity are returned to people they've been stolen from.

"Casinos have access to advanced technologies for detecting criminal activity and fraud. They have host responsibility programmes that should ensure alarm bells go off when risky gambling occurs.

"Prosecutions involving huge amounts of money stolen then gambled by high rollers at SkyCity casinos, often tracked by casino VIP programmes, raise questions about whether the casino could have done more to detect and deter the crimes.

"Other laws and regulations are in place to ensure casinos step up their efforts to detect crime.

"My Bill is about ensuring they return criminal proceeds that they should never have benefited from," Mrs Turei said.

Further information:

Massey University research shows that about 10,000 New Zealanders are engaged in illegal activities because of their gambling addictions. Pokies are the worst culprits.

Problem gambling costs $1 billion annually in bankruptcies, arrests, incarcerations, unemployment, divorce, poor physical and mental health, loss of educational opportunity and suicide.

After a request from the Green Party, the Auditor-General is investigating a deal between the Government and SkyCity, that would change the Gambling Act to allow the casino hundreds more pokie machines, and other concessions, in exchange for the casino building a convention centre in Auckland.

Examples of criminal money spent at casinos

- Trusted accountant Richard Arthur Watson stole $5.4 million from his employer to feed his gambling addiction at SkyCity, spending $50 million over ten years as a VIP high roller. He went to jail last year, his family was devastated and his employer suffered massive losses, which will never really be recovered.

- Christian Clifton, a methamphetamine cook who was jailed for life in September 2011, was a VIP member of the high-roller club at SkyCity casino. He gambled $1.3 million in the three years before his arrest.

From the $1.3 million gambled, he had a return of $1.1 million , a loss of around $200,000. That was in effect the price to clean up illegally gained money.

- Herminia Lanuza, an accountant, was jailed in 2010 after stealing $2.7 million to spend as a VIP at SkyCity.

http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/casinos-face-challenge-pay-back-stolen-money

Great Opposition Songs

These choices are just 2 selections from a contest - link below -- Great work!









http://scribewithus.org.nz/finalists/rap

End Casinos Profiting from CRIME!

Great start!

We've all heard the stories of a Gambling Addict destroying a family by stealing money or destroying a company by embezzlement.

Casinos have access to the financial records of their patrons.

They know their paychecks and assets.

Casinos are the ones profiting from CRIME.

Casinos face challenge to pay back stolen money - Greens

Thursday, 18 October, 2012

A Green Party bill to force casinos to pay back some of the proceeds of crime they receive through gambling was drawn from the ballot today.

Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei’s Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 (Application to Casinos) Amendment Bill would impose a special obligation on casinos to return profits derived from significant criminal activity and which they should have been able to detect.

"I urge all political parties to back my Bill to stop casinos profiting from crime," Mrs Turei said.

"When problem gamblers are driven to crime everyone suffers except the casino, which pockets the profits.

"When problem gamblers are jailed they lose their job and are separated from family and friends. Those they stole from are also worse off. The only winner is the casino.

"There’s established international evidence that casinos benefit from crime and this is the industry John Key wants to do a deal with.

"My Bill specifically includes casinos in the Criminal Proceeds of Crime (Recovery) Amendment Act and introduces a new legal test that makes them responsible for forfeiting proceeds, if they allowed the gambling to occur by not using the best methods to detect problem gambling and crime.

"My Bill will ensure the proceeds of significant criminal activity are returned to people they've been stolen from.

"Casinos have access to advanced technologies for detecting criminal activity and fraud. They have host responsibility programmes that should ensure alarm bells go off when risky gambling occurs.

"Prosecutions involving huge amounts of money stolen then gambled by high rollers at SkyCity casinos, often tracked by casino VIP programmes, raise questions about whether the casino could have done more to detect and deter the crimes.

"Other laws and regulations are in place to ensure casinos step up their efforts to detect crime.

"My Bill is about ensuring they return criminal proceeds that they should never have benefited from," Mrs Turei said.


http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/casinos-face-challenge-pay-back-stolen-money-greens/5/138135

Children and Gambling Addiction

Worries over gambling habits of Pacific Island children

Sep 11, 2012

Addiction researchers are concerned that a study of gambling habits in Pacific families reveal children as young as nine are betting with money.

Of the nearly 900 children surveyed, almost all (94 per cent) reported playing housie and/or card games, and 27 per cent reported playing for money, AUT University's Gambling and Addictions Research Centre associate director Maria Bellringer said.

"Housie is a common form of fundraising within Pacific churches; as such it may be considered low-risk. However, the fact is when gambling is perceived as an acceptable behaviour children are more likely to engage in gambling activities," she said.

Research has shown that Pacific people are at a significantly higher risk for developing problem gambling than the general population, Dr Bellringer said.

The research is the first of its kind to look at gambling in Pacific children at nine years of age within a family context.

The purpose of the study was to investigate links between gambling behaviour in children and a range of influences, including family gambling habits.

It also considered the long-term impacts of gambling.

About 17 per cent of the children studied reported receiving scratch cards as a gift, and another seven per cent reported buying Lotto, Big Wednesday or Keno tickets.

The minimum age for buying scratch cards is 18, and it is an offence to purchase a ticket for someone aged under 18-years-old.

Dr Bellringer said that seemed to indicate a number of parents and family members were not aware of the legal restrictions.

Findings also revealed that boys were more likely than girls to play for money, and girls were more likely to prefer housie.

"Children who are involved in a gang are more than twice as likely to participate in gambling.

Children with less parental supervision are nearly twice as likely to gamble," Dr Bellringer said.

The 2009 Mother and Child Gambling research study is part of the larger Pacific Island Families longitudinal study which has followed more than 1000 Pasifika children since birth in the year 2000.

The wider study examines health, development and social implications for Pacific children and their families. The gambling study looked at a total of 957 mothers and 874 children.

Of the mothers who took part in the 2009 Mother and Child Gambling research study, 46 per cent were Samoan, 22 per cent Tongan, 17 per cent Cook Islanders and the remainder were of other Pasifika ethnicities.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10833222

Scribe fights gambling

HAMISH MACLEAN
05/09/2012

RECOGNISE: Scribe fans, from left: Marcella Maihi, Rowie Davis-Cooper and Chelsea Rudolph join the hip-hop artist in Kaikohe on Thursday to raise awareness of gambling addiction.

 

A hip-hop artist who famously fought off a gambling addiction was in Kaikohe last week, to raise awareness of the disease that impacts many in the Far North.
While September 1 was officially "gamble-free day", Scribe had been promoting his message of gambling awareness since his journey started in Invercargill two weeks ago.

It is Scribe's second year involved in the campaign to help end problem gambling in the country.

The message is that a day free from gambling happens by choice and not by chance and, because of that, the community is encouraged to learn more about what problem gambling is and where to get help.

"It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but as long as we teach the new generation coming through - make them aware of the facts and the dangers of becoming addicted to pokies and gambling - there's hope," Scribe says.

Scribe says his addiction to pokies and gambling became news on a very public scale. But he's been in recovery for four years.

His perspective has changed since the days he led a "rock ‘n' roll lifestyle". The Christchurch-based hip-hop artist says now that he's been through two earthquakes and some family disruptions, different things in life have gained importance. But in his younger days, the addiction had a hold of him.

"Every country I'd go to, I'd spend time in the casinos when I wasn't performing," he says.

It led to the end of his relationship with his former partner.

"The thing is with gambling, it's an addiction that's easily concealed, it's not like drinking or drugs where it's pretty easy to see.

"It's one that people can keep secret and it doesn't discriminate." Scribe says he has met addicts from all walks, including CEOs of companies and those who are on benefits.
 
Nga Manga Puriri health promotion adviser Te Hiwi Preston, who organised the Kaikohe event, explains that his organisation provides free services to all Northland communities and helps a wide range of people.

"A problem gambler can be someone who spends $20 a week and can't afford that, or it can be someone who spends $1000 a week, can afford that, but it's affecting their families."

Gambling can have wide-reaching and long-term effects, he says.

The Whangarei group is mobile and tries to help communities throughout the region.

Mr Preston says he personally does not have a gambling addiction but he has family members who have issues currently.

"There are many individuals who have a problem with gambling, but we don't quite know the statistics, that's the thing we're quite concerned about. We know that it's a problem in our communities, but it's whether the individual seeks help for those problems, or whether they admit it to themselves," Mr Preston says.

"It's about controlling your addiction, being safe and having good support systems so it doesn't become a problem," Scribe says.

And while he will still play games like Texas Hold ‘Em, he will not play pokies. He hears stories on the road, that he can relate to, perhaps those who know of his troubles open up more easily.

"I'm someone who's been there, and they know when they talk to me that I know what they're talking about," he says. "It's the same story for everyone that's been a gambling addict."

Mr Preston stresses that he is there to help.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/northern-news/7609461/Scribe-fights-gambling

Super Rugby star confronts gambling addiction

Willie Ripia's road to recovery from gambling

Super Rugby star confronts gambling

DAVID LONG
26/08/2012

PETER MEECHAM/Fairfax NZ

WILLIE RIPIA: “It is a troubling illness and,

at the same time, I am more than ashamed with

what I've done, and I don't think there is one

word that can explain how embarrassed and

sorry I am and also the shame I have brought

on myself and more so my family."

Eight months ago, Willie Ripia's world collapsed around him. Yesterday, he took another step towards rebuilding his career and life.

In an exclusive interview, the former Super Rugby player has told of how he is coming back from the hell of gambling addiction.

Ripia, who turned 27 on Monday, spoke to Sunday News at his family home in Rotorua earlier this week. He bravely opened up about his ordeal, to apologise for the pain the habit has caused those around him - and to thank loved ones, and even strangers, for their unyielding support in turning his life around.

Ripia, who is in counselling for problem gambling, said: "The hardest thing is to admit you've got an addiction."

“It is a troubling illness and, at the same time, I am more than ashamed with what I've done, and I don't think there is one word that can explain how embarrassed and sorry I am and also the shame I have brought on myself and more so my family," the former Hurricanes first-five said.

“This is going to be with me for the rest of my life, whether I like it or not, and I'm always going to have people that put me down for it.

“At the same time, there have been people that I don't know really supporting me, whether they've been affected by it, or they love the sport and the people that play it."

In January, Ripia resigned from the Western Force after being confronted with CCTV footage of him at the Super Rugby franchise's Perth changing rooms. Players had earlier complained to management alleging money being taken from their wallets and bags.

Ripia, who had even planned on qualifying to play for Australia, instead retreated to the safety of his family in Rotorua, seeking help and guidance.

Yesterday he turned out for the Bay of Plenty development team against Taranaki in Mt Maunganui.

“You get that little itch and feeling that you're back,” he said.

“I guess it was initially tough with them [Bay of Plenty] not knowing me, other than what happened.

“It will be interesting what happens in the next few weeks.

“I am fortunate that the coaches have given me the opportunity to play. They could have easily said no.”

Ripia was a star first-five throughout his career. He represented New Zealand at under-19 and under-21 level and also played for NZ Maori.

He played 29 games for the Hurricanes and one for the Highlanders before moving to the Force in 2011.

At the Force, Ripia was the key playmaker in a side that included superstars David Pocock and James O'Connor, and the plan was that once he had been with the team for three years he would be eligible for the Wallabies.

But then, everything turned upside down.

Following months of turmoil, Ripia only now felt the time was right to tell his story.

“I haven't gambled for eight months now, which is great, but it's continually going to be with me for the rest of my life,” Ripia said.

“For the whole of my professional career I've had this.

“I played four years of Super Rugby and the whole of that time I was a problem gambler.

“It isn't easy to play rugby, thinking, ‘S..., I've lost a lot of money today' while I'm about to take a kick in front of 20,000 people.

“This wasn't for a year or two, it was my whole career and that's me spending a lot of what I earned as soon as I could get it.

“It's something that happens to not only professional sportsmen, this is something that affects so many people."

Ripia said it was a gradual process that led him to become addicted to gambling.

“Growing up, I was the person who said I'm not going to do that, that's only what idiots do,” he said.
“When I started five or six years ago, I dabbled in it and it became a recreational thing . . .

“Over the years it progressed to be something . . . [I] did every day.

“When I moved to Perth it was so easy to do. You wake up at 7am and the New Zealand trots start and you go to sleep at 11pm and the South African and English trots are happening.

“It did start off with pokies. I've always hated cards and I'm useless at them. But I'm useless at gambling in general.

“It primarily became horses, it was a quick fix for me and especially in Australia.

“I lost quite a lot. I lost everything really and it got so bad that I couldn't control it."

But Ripia said even people close to him wouldn't have realised the extent of his problem.

“It is harder to identify who is a gambler, compared to who is a drug addict or an alcoholic, because you don't show the physical signs.

“You get real good at hiding what's really going on.

“I found out that life is all about perception and I found that gamblers are really good at throwing a
certain perception out there, but when you get caught, man, s... hits the fan.

“It [problem gambling] is something that's not addressed as much as it could [be]. I'm not saying gambling should be banned because some people do it for fun and some people make a living from it, but there are the other people and families [who] get ruined."

Ripia is intelligent. He comes from a good and loving family and - as the number of photos of him on their walls bears testament - one which is proud of his achievements.

Ripia regrets the hurt he's caused them and he regrets not seeking help for his addiction earlier.

“The whole way through it I knew it was wrong, but I was immersed in it so much that I couldn't say that,” he said.

“I definitely knew gambling was wrong, it was just that it was so hard to stop.

"I never talked to anyone about it and that's the worst thing that happened, I never got to express how I felt about it.

“When I was doing it I couldn't sleep at night, I wasn't the person I'd grown up to be. I got myself in a hole and I'm still in a hole and it's hard to pull myself out of that.

“It overpowered the right in my life, all of it. I'm paying for it and that's the terrible thing.

“I knew that things hit the fan and I ruined my rugby career, my respect from players and my respect from everyone and that's huge in life if you don't have respect.”

But Ripia did eventually seek help, including intensive counselling for problem gambling. The counselling continues.

Those helping him in his courageous comeback include his family, friends, NZ Rugby Players Association, his manager, Kent Hale, and the rugby community at large. Ripia hopes people can learn from his story, and that others caught in the grip of the addiction seek help.

"Saying to someone that you need help is the hardest thing you could ever say if you're a problem gambler,” he said.

“With gambling, I'd been away from my family for four years, I never watched my younger brothers play, and I regret all of that.

“I never spent time with family and friends, I was doing everything by myself because I didn't want anyone to know. Coming back and having to try to do that was hard, saying hello to someone I've known all of my life was hard.

“The first three or four months was hard and I would never wish how I felt on anyone.

“It is always going to be different for me than a person who's not on TV. I can't walk out with my head held high and look at people because I know it's human thought that they're going to think about what I've done.

“It's still hard, I'm not going to lie, it's hard saying hello to people.

“But there is nothing like friends and family and that's where I am now, I have family and friends.

"I've had to change how I was and it's hard for me to change.

"I have to continually show how much of a different person I am and how much I want to change, how much I want to continually become a better person and push on with my life.”

Gambling Helpline - 0800 654655


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/7550289/Willie-Ripias-road-to-recovery-from-gambling

Family Loss Stopped Slot Machine Addiction

Pokies cost Scribe more than money

Home » News » Dunedin

By Hamish McNeilly on Sun, 26 Aug 2012

News: Dunedin

 

New Zealand hip-hop star Scribe visited

Dunedin yesterday to talk to youth about

gambling harm, and to watch budding artists

perform. Photo by Jane Dawber.

 

Pokies [Slot Machines] cost Scribe an estimated $100,000 but it was the loss of his children and partner that made him seek help for his gambling addiction.

  

The hip-hop artist said he began playing pokies at a local Christchurch pub at the tender age of 14.

  

"I grew up in a family where gambling was quite normal, and I thought it was normal."

  

The 33-year-old, who topped the charts with his debut album The Crusader, said his first foray into gambling was playing Housie with his grandmother when he was 7.

"In some communities, it is just such a normal part of life."

Scribe, who was born Malo Luafutu, has not gambled for three years, and still receives counselling for his addiction - "it is kind of like alcohol [addiction] ... It just doesn't go away.

"I know some of my issues were quite deep rooted. I have a quite colourful upbringing in life and have been honest about my life adventures and addictions.

"But I am not scared of the truth, and ... why people connect to me and my music is because they can relate to me."

And his message on gambling for today's youth?

"Kiwis we are going to gamble; it is in our culture. But if there is a problem and you are concerned, then get help early. Don't get to that stage when you are lying to your family, spending all the money and your kids are going out."

Scribe said his lowest point was not losing an estimated $100,000, but when his long-term partner left with his three children, because of him not confronting his gambling problem.

He was in Dunedin on Friday as part of a national tour aimed at highlighting the impact of gambling harm, which also gave budding artists the opportunity to perform in front of the multi-platinum-selling artist.

Those artists included Dunedin duo Grant Kingi and Ajit Arun, finalists in the Scribe With Us competition which attracted hundreds of entries nationwide.

Scribe, who was reunited with his partner with whom he now had a fourth child, said he was enjoying visiting the South Island, after moving to Porirua following the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch.

"It is good to be here."

The Mayfair Theatre event was organised by the Dunedin Youth Gambling Coalition, and "we want to do something bigger and better next year", spokesman Chris Watkins said.

 

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/223172/pokies-cost-scribe-more-money

 

 

Gambling Addicts Ignores Dementia Patient

The consequences of Gambling Addiction are univeral. Regardless of the geography, Gambling Addicts ignore their responsibilities. Sad!

Carer's casino error kept quiet

By Kathryn Powley

 Sunday Aug 19, 2012

 

A health trust whose worker let a dementia patient wander off while she was gambling in SkyCity Casino didn't report the incident to health authorities until confronted.

Waitemata District Health Board learned of the incident only after the Herald on Sunday revealed what had gone on: a caregiver at Rodney North Harbour Health Trust had taken a 62-year-old patient on an outing to the casino, then lost her while playing pokies in the members-only Diamond Room.

Fortunately, the patient managed to catch a bus back to her North Shore home where she was reunited with her husband.

Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show the care worker was chatting to a friend and didn't notice Marie Palman leave.

That detail was only discovered after the Waitemata District Health Board pushed the trust for a full account of the March 5 incident.

A frustrated tone is evident in the emails between the two organisations. After two attempts to outline what happened and what action was taken against the worker - verbal and written warnings and having to work under supervision - the trust's chief executive, Wendy Hawkings, replied to the request for more details with: "We feel your further request for additional specific information about the incident is unwarranted and unnecessary."

The health board's group funding manager, Tim Wood, responded: "It is of concern that you feel that an incident of this nature, where a client with dementia was left unattended and lost in the CBD, was not an issue that needed to be reported."

He said the trust lacked an understanding of its obligations to provide appropriate care.

However, the trust finally provided a detailed response and the health board said the matter was closed.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10827849

 

 

Greens seek clampdown on illicit casino proceeds

 

 

Greens seek clampdown on illicit casino proceeds

Published: 7:26PM Sunday July 15, 2012

The Green Party has drafted a Bill which would require casinos to pay back the sum of the proceeds of crime they receive through gambling.

The Bill would impose an obligation on casinos to return profits derived from criminal activity and which should have probably been detected.

Green Party gambling spokesperson Denise Roche told ONE News that the money should go back to the people it was stolen from.

VIDEO:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/casinos-could-forced-pay-back-stolen-money-video-4969544


"When problem gamblers are convicted of stealing from their employers, or laundering drug money through the casino, everyone suffers except the casino, who pockets the profits," she said.

"The addict is jailed, and loses their job, their family and friends. Their employer can be ruined. But the casino is better off as a result of the crime. That's not fair," Roche said.

Roche says it is not so much about singling out the casino, but telling them to be a good corporate citizen.

"Casinos have access to advanced technologies for detecting criminal activity and fraud. They have host responsibility programmes that should ensure alarm bells go off when risky gambling occurs."

Roche said while the thief is responsible, in some cases the casino should have been suspicious about where gamblers were sourcing huge amounts of money from.

She pointed to the case of Richard Watson as an example of where the casino could potentially carried out further investigation into where the former accountant was sourcing his money from.
Watson stole $5.4 million from his employer to feed his gambling addiction at SkyCity, spending $50 million over ten years as a VIP high roller.

He went to jail last year, his family was devastated and his employer suffered massive losses, which are expected to never be fully recovered.

In a statement to ONE News reporter Lisa Owen today, SkyCity said it works with the police and other authorities to both identify crime and keep it out of its casinos.

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira is already offering his vote.

"The moral obligation on casinos is because they take so much money out and they know already how much money is coming from poor people and poor communities," he told ONE News.

The National Party could not be reached for comment today, however, the Labour Party said that it is keen to crack down on casino crime in principle and will speak to police and the Serious Fraud Office before it makes a decision on the bill.

The Green Party said its amendment will go into the ballot at Parliament this week.

http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/greens-seek-clampdown-illicit-casino-proceeds-4969574




'This amendment Bill is about ensuring they return criminal proceeds that they should never have benefited from," Ms Roche said.

Notes:

Massey University research shows that about 10,000 New Zealanders are engaged in illegal activities because of their gambling addictions. Pokies are the worst culprits.

Problem gambling costs $1 billion annually in bankruptcies, arrests, incarcerations, unemployment, divorce, poor physical and mental health, loss of educational opportunity and suicide.

After a request from the Green Party, the Auditor General is investigating a deal between the Government and SkyCity, that would change the Gambling Act to allow the casino hundreds more pokier machines, and other concessions, in exchange for the casino building a convention centre in Auckland.

Examples of criminal money spent at casinos

- Trusted accountant Richard Arthur Watson stole $5.4 million from his employer to feed his gambling addiction at SkyCity, spending $50 million over ten years as a VIP high roller. He went to jail last year, his family was devastated and his employer suffered massive losses, which will never really be recovered.

- Christian Clifton, a methamphetamine cook who was jailed for life in September 2011, was a VIP member of the high-roller club at SkyCity casino. He gambled $1.3 million in the three years before his arrest.

From the $1.3 million gambled, he had a return of $1.1 million , a loss of around $200,000. That was in effect the price to clean up illegally gained money.

- Herminia Lanuza, an accountant, was jailed in 2010 after stealing $2.7 million to spend as a VIP at SkyCity.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/greens-seek-crackdown-illicit-casino-proceeds/5/129051