Auckland: Controversy about a deal between SkyCity casino and the government

Since Monday, New Zealand government is under the spotlight and is at the center of controversy following its decision to allow the construction of a SkyCity casino in exchange of the construction of a convention center in Auckland. The gambling and casino firm received the approval to build a casino that will have 230 slot machines and some of the most popular table games as blackjack, roulette... Its license was also been extended till 2048. According to the Government, through its Minister of Economic Development, the construction of a casino and a convention center is expected to generate a massive job creation and a major attraction for the city. But the government has been strongly criticized by the leader of the Labour opposition, David Shearer, based on issues related to gambling addicts and the fact that no tender has been released for the construction of the convention center.