SKYCITY Queenstown Casino — Attraction in South Island

A truly disappointing experience. From the moment I arrived, I was asked several times to remove my cap — even though it was clean and discreet — while other guests were wearing beanies or shorts with boots, and no one said anything to them. I was wearing dress pants, so I was appropriately dressed.

It was impossible to play peacefully: every time I sat down at a slot machine, a staff member immediately jumped on me to make me insert my card and enter the code. (It happened several times — I assume it’s part of their internal procedures.) It was incredibly stressful when I just wanted to enjoy myself.

Without the casino card, you simply can’t play — a complete waste of time. I was told that my Auckland casino card would work here, but in the end, it didn’t. I had to get a new card, break a $50 bill into smaller change, and even fill out a form… So many unnecessary complications.

The casino itself is tiny, there isn’t even an electronic blackjack machine, and the staff is constantly watching your every move. I even got told off just for taking out my phone to snap a photo of the entrance hall. Honestly, you feel watched the entire time.

The only positive point: one free drink thanks to the card. But honestly, it’s the worst casino I’ve ever been to. I do not...

I was sat next to a man desperately trying to sign language to those around him. It was apparent he was deaf and he showed me his Australian National Assistance Card which should be acknowledged and respected given it is national. We were playing blackjack and the dealer, Sheryl laughed and scoffed at him, urged him to make a decision when he was signing to her to repeat herself and kept on getting exasperated and angry. He placed 2 x 5s down at a table that had changed from a minimum of $10 to $15. She slammed a $10 and a $5 down and said “copy me! It’s not hard!” Angrily. The man looked at her stack and then copied the colours. At this point, I reported Sheryl to the bar and they told me to inform the floor manager, Lilly/Lili/Lily - I informed the floor manager and she proceeded to laugh and scoff at the man in question alongside Sheryl. As I left, I told the front door security and he paged the floor security. I told them both that I landed in Queenstown last night, I have no involvement except witnessing, I’m reporting bad behaviour and this situation could’ve been handled differently. Very poor form from the...

You start to win over a couple nights of casual gambling..then on your last night in town they refuse to let you in saying your eyes are bloodshot and you must be intoxicated. He asked if I’d been drinking and I said I had 1 beer at dinner but what does that matter as they serve alcohol in the casino yet he refuses to budge. I asked to speak to the manager as this was ridiculous but he would not let me. I left and walked to the other casino in town because I really just wanted to get rid of my New Zealand cash before leaving the country, and they’d already phoned the other casino letting them know to look out for me. I was astounded as not only was I 100% sober.

I really liked the casino prior to this terrible customer service experience, but I will never go here again. What kind of dumbass company refuses to let someone in who obviously knows the house is in favor of winning so they will likely gain my...