Guilty plea over pokie profits

13 February 2014

A 67 year old man has pleaded guilty to five charges of theft by a person in a special relationship after he failed to bank $93,127 of pokie machine profits.

The Department of Internal Affairs, which is responsible for the integrity of the New Zealand gambling sector, issues licences to venues and incorporated societies to operate gaming machines and investigates misconduct in the sector.

In its statement to the Auckland District Court the Department said Patrick Francis Williams, 67, was a director of various companies which were venue operators for a number of gambling venues.

Venue operators must bank the profits from the societies’ gaming machines on its premises into the society’s designated bank account. The society is then responsible for the distribution of grants to community organisations.

Director of Gambling Compliance, Debbie Despard says Williams either failed to bank the pokie profits or significant portions of sums that were deposited were dishonoured.

“He also failed to keep to an agreement made with the incorporated society, North and South Trust Ltd, to pay back the money.

“The community is the ultimate beneficiary of the gaming machine proceeds, so when someone fails to bank the proceeds it is community groups that miss out.”

Williams, formerly of Cambridge and now living on Australia’s Gold Coast was remanded until April 17 for sentencing.

Media contact
Sue Ingram
Communications, Account Manager,
Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua
Direct Dial: +64 4 494 0584 | Mobile: +64 27 541 4696