New Zealand land-based casino operator Christchurch Casino has been told to leave the Internet gambling business within seven months following an investigation by the country's Internal Affairs Department (IAD).
The IAD in 2006 warned the casino operator that by operating its online businesses, which include two online casinos, an online poker room and an online bingo site, it was in violation of the Gambling Act of 2003. The Act prohibits organizations other than the TAB from accepting bets from New Zealand citizens over the Internet.
A spokesperson for Christchurch said the company told IAD in October 2006 that it would sell the online properties, and followed up with a letter dated March 2007 confirming the company's intention to sell.
An IAD spokesperson said the investigation would be closed once it was confirmed there was no New Zealand ownership interest in any former Christchurch online property.
Christchurch's online businesses were operated through an overseas subsidiary, Christchurch Casino E-Gaming Investments, and licensed by the government of Antigua and Barbuda.