ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COMPLIANCE
What is AML and why is it required?
As with many businesses in New Zealand, Christchurch Casino is subject to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act). The purpose of this law is to ensure that we keep New Zealand free from illegal activity conducted through businesses and financial institutions, which include casinos.
The AML/CFT Act places obligations on Christchurch Casino, such as:
- A requirement to know our customers
- A requirement to verify the identity of customers conducting certain transactions
- In some cases, a requirement to verify the source of a customer’s wealth or the source of a customer’s funds
Knowing our customers
Our relationship with you is important to us because we are interested and we care.
As you conduct certain transactions with us or progress to a higher Players Club membership tier, we may seek more information about you. This could include asking you about your source of funds and/or wealth. This helps ensure that we know who you are and to also meet our AML obligations. AML obligations apply to both Players Club members, as well as non-members. In general, members may find it more convenient to conduct transactions with us, as they have already provided us with necessary information.
When does my identity need to be verified?
Under the AML/CFT Act, we need to verify your identity in order for you to become a member of our Players Club.
Membership tier upgrades, transactions of $6,000 or more (whether in a single transaction or in a series of linked transactions), or if you want to open a casino deposit account (FrontMoney account) or Secure Electronic Transfer (SET) account, require us to further verify your identity, as well as your residential address.
If we have verified your identity in the past, you don’t need to go through the process again, although we will ask you to provide an up-to-date ID once your current ID expires and may ask you to verify your address if it has changed.
How do you verify my identity?
A current Passport or New Zealand Driver Licence are easy ways for us to verify your identity. Christchurch Casino staff can provide further information about acceptable identity documents if you do not have a Passport or New Zealand Driver Licence.
Verifying your residential address can be done by supplying us with, for example, a utility bill addressed to you; such evidence can be provided in whatever way is most convenient for you, including paper form or shown to us on your smart phone or emailed to:
customerservices@christchurchcasino.co.nz
Christchurch Casino staff can provide further information about acceptable address documents that can be presented or shown to .
Why do you need to know my source of funds and/or wealth?
As a regulated casino, the AML/CFT Act also requires that in certain situations we understand the source of a customer’s funds and/or the source of their wealth. For instance, we may request this information when a customer seeks to conduct a large cash transaction or large electronic transfer. This is undertaken using a risk-based approach.
There may be occasions where we ask you to supply independent documents as evidence of your source of funds or source of wealth. This process can be made quick and simple by showing us that you have sufficient funds to support your gambling activity, plus the source from where such funds have come from. While we wait to receive and process this information, your account or visitation may be subject to certain restrictions. Any information you provide is treated confidentially and kept secure, under the provisions of the Privacy Act 2020.
What sort of information may be required to verify my source of funds and/or wealth?
If you are asked to provide information about your source of funds/wealth, the best information you can provide are documents that verify what you are telling us. For :
- Bank statements – can verify things such as income/savings
- Business records – can verify your ownership of or employment by a company and your income
- Receipts – can verify from where you received cash/electronic payments
Being asked to provide us with any information does not mean that we suspect you of illegal or illegitimate activity. We’re doing it to ensure that your gambling at Christchurch Casino is safe and because we are required to under the law.
We are proud to be responsible members of the New Zealand community and economy.
Our AML Compliance Team
Our AML compliance team are members of:
- The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists.
Our AML and Compliance Manager is also a:
- Chartered Accountant
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist
- Certified Fraud Examiner.
Further information and contact
View or download our
Membership and Customer Services Information Sheet (English)
Membership and Customer Services Information Sheet (Chinese)
Membership and Customer Services Information Sheet (Korean)
For any queries on AML, Compliance or Privacy, you can contact us at:
privacy@christchurchcasino.co.nz
Your Privacy
We absolutely understand the sensitivity of such information provided to us and your privacy is paramount. All information received is confidential, handled by authorised managers and kept securely. You are welcome to enquire with us about what information we hold on you and how that information is handled. Your privacy is protected under the privacy principles of the Privacy Act 2020.