Auckland poker house heist: Cash taken at gunpoint in raid of unlicensed premises

Neighbours were aware of the poker games and described men and glamourously dressed young women coming and going at all hours of the night. As with other forms of gambling in New Zealand, poker played for cash stakes is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Class 2 gambling covers games with a prize limit not exceeding $5000 and a turnover under $25,000 per event. Class 3 gambling covers games with prizes over $5000 per event. "Any information on venues that may be operating illegal poker games is welcomed by Internal Affairs," the spokeswoman said.