1. Adult-Only Access to Gaming Areas

New Zealand law and the operating standards adopted by Merquessianfinecuisine require that no person under the age of 18 years is permitted to enter, remain in, or participate in any gaming activity on our casino floor. This requirement applies at all times, seven days a week, regardless of whether a guest is accompanied by an adult.

Our staff are trained and authorised to request proof of age from any person who appears to be under 25 years of age, or from any person where there is reasonable doubt about their eligibility. Acceptable forms of identification include:

• A current New Zealand driver licence or overseas equivalent
• A current New Zealand or overseas passport
• A New Zealand Kiwi Access Card or equivalent government-issued photo identification

Any person who is unable to produce satisfactory identification will be respectfully asked to leave the gaming area. Our team will always exercise this responsibility with courtesy and discretion.

Parents and carers are reminded that children and young persons must not be left unattended in areas adjacent to the casino floor. If you have questions about access arrangements for accompanying minors elsewhere in the property, please speak with a member of our hotel team.

2. Gaming as a Voluntary Leisure Activity

Casino gaming at Merquessianfinecuisine is offered as one of a number of leisure and entertainment options available to our guests. Participation is entirely voluntary and no guest is ever required or expected to visit the gaming floor as part of their stay or visit.

Gambling outcomes are determined by chance. The house advantage is a permanent mathematical feature of all casino games, which means that over time the casino retains a portion of all money wagered. We encourage every guest who chooses to play to approach gaming with this understanding and to treat any winnings as a bonus rather than an expected outcome.

Responsible gambling means deciding in advance how much money and time you are willing to spend, then stopping when either limit is reached — whether or not you are winning. We fully support guests who choose to take a break, reduce their play, or decide not to gamble at all.

3. Setting Time and Spending Limits

One of the most effective ways to keep gaming enjoyable is to set clear personal limits before you begin. We encourage all guests to consider the following practical steps:

3.1 Spending Limits

• Decide on a fixed amount you are comfortable spending before you enter the gaming area. Treat this amount as the cost of your entertainment for the session.
• Bring only that amount in cash or set a daily card-withdrawal limit in advance through your bank or card provider.
• Do not carry additional funds or access methods that would allow you to exceed your pre-set limit.
• Never borrow money to gamble or use funds set aside for essential household expenses, rent, bills or savings.
• If you win, consider setting aside your original stake before deciding whether to continue play.

3.2 Time Limits

• Decide how long you intend to spend in the gaming area before you begin and use a watch, phone alarm or clock to keep track.
• Plan activities outside the casino — a meal, a walk, a scheduled check-in — so that natural breaks are built into your visit.
• Be aware that casino environments are designed to be engaging; checking the time regularly helps you stay in control of your session length.

3.3 Useful Questions to Ask Yourself

4. Recognising Changes in Gambling Behaviour

For most people, gambling is an occasional leisure activity with no lasting negative effects. However, gambling habits can change over time in ways that are worth noticing early. The following are common signs that a person's relationship with gambling may be shifting in a way that deserves attention:

• Spending more money or more time gambling than originally intended
• Returning to recover losses rather than for entertainment
• Feeling irritable, restless or unsettled when not gambling
• Thinking about gambling frequently when doing other things
• Gambling to manage stress, low mood or worry
• Hiding or being less than honest with others about gambling activity or losses
• Neglecting work, study, social or family commitments due to time spent gambling
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Feeling that you need to gamble with larger amounts to get the same level of enjoyment
• Making repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop

Noticing one or more of these signs does not mean a person has a serious problem; it simply suggests that taking a step back and reviewing gambling habits would be worthwhile. Early action is always easier than late action, and support is available without judgement.

5. Taking Breaks

Regular breaks are one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep gambling in perspective. Stepping away from the gaming floor — even briefly — gives you the opportunity to reassess how the session is going and whether you wish to continue.

We encourage all guests to:

• Take at least one break during every gaming session, regardless of how it is going
• Move away from gaming equipment entirely during a break — sit in a lounge area, step outside, or have something to eat
• Use break time to check how much time and money has been spent relative to your original limits
• Reflect on whether you are still enjoying yourself or playing out of compulsion
• Feel confident that leaving the gaming area at any point, for any reason, is always the right choice if it feels right for you

Our team is always available to assist guests in finding comfortable spaces within the property to rest and relax away from the gaming floor.

6. Self-Exclusion from Our Casino

Merquessianfinecuisine offers a formal self-exclusion programme for any guest who wishes to restrict their access to our gaming facilities for a defined period. Self-exclusion is a voluntary commitment you make to yourself, supported by our property, to refrain from entering the casino floor.

6.1 How Self-Exclusion Works

A guest who wishes to self-exclude may make a formal request at any time by speaking privately with a member of our management team. The process involves:

1. Request: You inform a member of management that you wish to self-exclude. This can be done in person at the property during any operating hour.
2. Agreement: You and a member of our management team complete a self-exclusion agreement that records the duration of your exclusion and your personal details. All information is handled confidentially in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
3. Implementation: Your details are added to our internal exclusion register. Our team will take reasonable steps to prevent you from accessing the gaming floor during the agreed period.
4. Duration: Exclusions may be requested for a minimum period of three months. Longer periods are available. You may also request a permanent exclusion.

6.2 During Your Exclusion Period

We ask all self-excluded guests to support the process by not attempting to enter the gaming area during their exclusion period. While our team will make all reasonable efforts to identify and respectfully redirect excluded guests, we are not able to guarantee detection in all circumstances. You remain responsible for your own decision not to enter.

Self-excluded guests are welcome to continue using all other facilities at Merquessianfinecuisine, including our restaurant and hotel accommodation, without any restriction or judgement.

6.3 Lifting or Extending an Exclusion

A self-exclusion will remain in place for the duration agreed at the time of the original request. If you wish to discuss extending your exclusion or the process for lifting it once the agreed period has concluded, please speak directly with a member of our management team. We will always take a careful and supportive approach to these conversations.

6.4 Contacting Us About Self-Exclusion

To request self-exclusion or to ask questions about the process in confidence, please approach a member of our management team at the front desk, or write to us at:

7. Involving People You Trust

Talking to someone you trust is often one of the most meaningful steps a person can take when reflecting on their gambling habits. A family member, partner or close friend can offer perspective, encouragement and practical support in a way that is personal and immediate.

If you are concerned about your own gambling, consider:

• Telling a trusted person about your intention to set limits, take a break or self-exclude — sharing your commitment with someone else makes it easier to maintain
• Asking a trusted person to accompany you to appointments or meetings if you are seeking support
• Being open about any financial pressures so that practical support can be arranged early

If a family member or friend is concerned about someone else's gambling, it is natural to feel unsure about how to raise the subject. Speaking honestly, without blame, and expressing care rather than judgement is generally the most effective approach. Offering to accompany the person when they seek support can also make a significant difference.

Our management team is available to speak with family members or carers who have concerns and wish to understand the options available through our property, including our third-party exclusion process, which allows a concerned family member or carer to initiate a conversation with us on behalf of another person.

8. Local Support and Guidance

New Zealand has a network of government, community and social-service organisations that provide guidance, information and support for people who are concerned about their own gambling or that of someone close to them. These services are generally free, confidential and available to all New Zealand residents.

If you or someone you know would benefit from speaking to a specialist support service, we encourage you to:

• Contact your local community social-services provider or community health centre, who can direct you to the appropriate gambling-support resource in your area
• Speak with your local Citizens Advice Bureau, which can provide free, confidential guidance on available services in New Zealand
• Ask our management team, who maintain information about locally available support pathways and will share this with you discreetly and without judgement

You do not need to be in crisis to seek information or support. Reaching out early, simply to talk through your options, is always a positive step.

8.1 Regulatory Framework

The regulation of gambling in New Zealand is overseen by government bodies established under New Zealand law. These bodies publish guidance for the public on responsible gambling, your rights as a gambler, and the formal processes available if you have a complaint about gambling services. Information published by the relevant regulatory authorities is freely available through official government channels.

If you wish to learn more about your rights or the oversight framework that applies to gambling in New Zealand, we recommend consulting publicly available government information resources.

9. Our Team's Commitment to You

Every member of our gaming-floor team receives training in responsible gambling practices. Our staff are equipped to:

• Recognise behavioural indicators that may suggest a guest would benefit from a break or a conversation about support options
• Approach guests with sensitivity and respect when raising responsible-gambling concerns
• Provide information about self-exclusion and local support resources
• Refer guests to a member of management for a confidential discussion at any time

We ask all guests to treat our team members with the same courtesy and respect that we extend to you. Any member of staff who raises a responsible-gambling concern is doing so in your interest and in fulfilment of our obligations as a responsible operator.

Merquessianfinecuisine does not tolerate any pressure, manipulation or inducement directed at guests to gamble beyond their own comfort or limits. If you have ever felt pressured in this way within our property, we ask you to report this to management immediately.

10. Practical Reminders at a Glance

11. Updates to This Page

may update this Responsible Gambling page from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, applicable guidance or the support resources available in New Zealand. The most current version of this page is always published at merquessianfinecuisine.com. We encourage guests to review it periodically.

If you have any questions about the content of this page or about the responsible-gambling measures available at our property, please contact us at: