SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited has decided to never work with junket companies again.

According to reports, SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited, a New Zealand casino operator, has decided it would no longer work with junket services to bring high-stakes international gamblers to its four casinos.

Inside Asian Gaming reports that the Wellington and Sydney-listed firm has invested some $243 million to rebuild its SkyCity Adelaide facility in Australia, in addition to its other New Zealand venues, SkyCity Auckland, SkyCity Hamilton, and SkyCity Queenstown. An eight-week strategic evaluation of the casino's overseas operations revealed possible due 'diligence' and 'know your customer' inadequacies related to the usage of junket services, the person said, prompting the shakeup.

Reprimand from an adversary:

According to reports, SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited made the decision after authorities in New South Wales, Australia, decided in early February that Crown Resorts Limited was unfit to hold a casino licence for its new Crown Sydney site. Allegations that this company relied on international junket enterprises to launder money led to a ruling against it by the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority.

Adjusted response:

According to a recent official filing, SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited announced its intention to adopt a new model for conducting international business, one that will involve engaging in "appropriate know your customer and customer due diligence" before engaging in direct communication with foreign players. The company, whose headquarters are in Auckland, reportedly said that it will "consult with its gaming regulators in New Zealand and South Australia" to iron out the kinks in "its revised operating model."

Important choice:

Bruce Carter, formerly the Deputy Chairman of SkyCity Entertainment Limited, has joined Crown Resorts Limited as a non-executive director, as reported by Inside Asian Gaming on Monday. According to reports, the industry veteran has been with his new company for around eleven weeks, having left his previous position after supervising the growth of the SkyCity Adelaide venue and working towards helping the company obtain a casino licence for its $1.5 billion Crown Sydney construction.

Unwavering mandate:

According to the source, Carter has followed in the footsteps of Nigel Morrison, the former CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited, who has moved on to become the CEO of Crown Resorts Limited. The Melbourne-based company has reportedly made these moves in an effort to dispel any remaining doubts about its integrity in pursuit of bringing casino gaming to the opulent Crown Sydney development.

It has been reported that Crown Resorts Limited has released a statement...

It is a testament to our strategy, ambition, and dedication to reform that we were able to get someone of Bruce's quality to join the board. As we move on with our ambitious reform programme, Bruce's appointment will strengthen our governance.