Casino takes a punt

Free carparking and 24-hour gambling - Hamilton is in for some changes.

SkyCity Hamilton Casino has opened its tables to 24-hour gambling at weekends, citing international demand.

And in another move that could make the city centre a more vibrant place, Hamilton City Council is about to trial free parking on Saturdays.

The casino move, however, has been slammed by Hamilton GamblingWatch co-ordinator and city councillor Dave Macpherson. He said it had been fuelled by financial desperation as the casino sought to squeeze extra dollars out of predominantly Asian-born Waikato residents.

The casino opened at 9am yesterday and will not close until 5am on Monday.

Its weekday hours will stay the same - from 9am to 3am daily, with a 5am close on Friday mornings.

In a press release, casino manager Arthur Pitcher said the move was in response to requests by international guests who were "surprised" by the 5am closure.

"There is a steady stream of international players visiting the casino who are used to and expect continuous playing time," he said. "While visitors enjoy coming to Hamilton and participating in the city's activities, they want the casino to be open all night." The liquor licence had not been extended past 5am, however.

Mr Macpherson said the reasoning was "a load of old cobblers".

"The figures we have seen show a very low proportion of people visiting are international tourists," he said.

"The people they are preying on are people who were born overseas but happen to be New Zealand residents and live in the Waikato."

Mr Pitcher could not be contacted for further comment.

But Mr Macpherson said SkyCity was feeling the pinch in Hamilton, where earnings plunged 5 per cent in the most recent quarter.

Meanwhile, from next weekend, kerbside metered parking will be free of charge on Saturdays in the city until early next year, as part of a trial to try to bring more people into the city heart. However, parking space time limits, usually one hour, will still be enforced.

The initiative has been welcomed by central city businesses, though Wilson Parking New Zealand's largest private parking operator is less thrilled.

Hamilton City Council said the free parking was recognition of the inconvenience that was being caused during CityHeart revitalisation work. It will cost the council $8000 in revenue a day, but Mayor Bob Simcock said: "I believe we have already sent a strong signal to the Hamilton community through our consultation and with the plans for the CityHeart redevelopment that the centre of the city is very important. We are hoping that the free parking trial is seen as part of that commitment."

Rex Bushell, proprietor of Paris Cafe in Alexandra St, said the council deserved credit for responding to cbd parking issues. "Past city design plus the recession mean we have hit a downturn, particularly with weekend trade," he said.

"It's hard to quantify the difference, and until we have a trial we don't know what the effect will be, but I see it as a positive move."

Wilson Parking spokesman Tony Snow said they were negotiating with council but felt they were being undercut. Spokesmen for the Westfield Chartwell and The Base shopping centres could not be contacted.