Two former casino executives say they have fled Christchurch in fear of their safety.
Christchurch Casino's former acting chief executive Stephen Lyttelton and deputy CEO Peter Arbuckle, have levelled various allegations ranging from loan sharking to money laundering.
Arbuckle says it is a powerful industry in a sordid and sorry state.
"You've got prize draw fixing, loan sharking is rampant, you've got people trying to launder money through VIP rooms," he says.
Arbuckle claims criminals come in with cash from illegal activities and bet against each other. Winners then get a casino cheque which is presented to the bank, effectively making their money "clean".
A former croupier (person in charge of a gambling table) also talked of managers arranging illegal gaming events off the premises for criminal elements in the city.
Christchurch Casino has defended it activities saying they are covered by 24-hour surveillance and a team of five government inspectors.
But Arbuckle says the only time inspectors are seen in the building is for lunch "which is free".
But Internal Affairs says that since a directive in 2004, none of their officers have accepted any free meals - but it has begun an investigation.
The casino issued a statement on Thursday saying that it shared concerns about the alleged illegal activity, and when it first heard the claims, it asked for written report from Lyttelton. However, it says it never received the report and the pair then quit.
"It is always of concern if a disgruntled former staff member
makes public allegations. Rarely is the full picture represented,"
Christchurch Casino chairman Barry Thomas said in the
statement.
As for the whistleblowers, Arbuckle says he and Lyttleton are
looking for consultancy work overseas.
"You don't take on a $2.5 billion industry and not worry about
what's going to happen to you".
