For those with a few dollars (or a lot) burning a hole in their pocket, the Christchurch casino sits several blocks (and about 15 minutes walk at a leisurely pace) from the city centre. On two floors, a plethora of poker machines beckon, the lowest denomination accepted is the NZ$2.00 coin, with 5c the smallest per line wager, though there may be some 2c machines hiding somewhere in a corner. All of these are amid an Egyptian theme, and most were divided into groups with the possibility of a minor or major jackpot. Quite a few jackpots went off while we were there, signified by the playing of a familiar song, one being, and perhaps the most annoying, the Ford advertising theme.
All the usual table games are available, as well as Keno at NZ$2.00 a game, and a unique computer based horse racing game. My NZ$10 on five keno games, turned into NZ$2.00, which in turn promptly disappeared on an each way bet on a horse, I believe, is still running. So near to true-life experience, that it brought back bad memories of days at the racetrack in another lifetime, and I am sure we have all experienced at some time of other in our lives.
The highlight of the evening was dinner. As it was my birthday, and I was a member, dinner was free. The meal of Chicken and Chips was one of the best I’d had for the price in a long time, and would gladly have paid if had not been for free. The service too, was exemplary, and set up the evening to be a very enjoyable one.