2 February 2006

Sentinel Trust licence cancelled

Sentinel Community Trust of Manukau has lost its licence to operate gaming machines, Department of Internal Affairs Deputy Secretary, Andrew Secker, confirmed today.

This follows the Trust’s decision not to proceed with its appeal to the Gambling Commission against the cancellation of its licence by the Department in December 2005.

“We have told the Trust to cease operating gaming machines in their remaining venues immediately and remove them as soon as possible,” Andrew Secker said.

The Trust operates in the Huntly Hotel, Waikato and Arthur Daley’s Tavern, Dunedin with 18 machines in each. Five Sentinel venues transferred to other societies last year.

DIA began investigating the Trust after complaints from several community groups that they had not received grants already approved.

Andrew Secker said DIA had several concerns about the gambling operations of the Trust and investigations into its affairs are continuing.

ENDS

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