A New Zealand man has been sentenced to prison following a 2023 robbery at Auckland's SkyCity Casino. Eru Andrew Stevens, 58, who has a history of schizophrenia, will serve two years and three months for non-aggravated robbery.

On September 9, 2023, Stevens approached the casino's cashier cage and passed a note claiming he had a gun, demanding money. After receiving approximately NZ$50,000 (US$29,430), he fled the premises. Police quickly apprehended him due to his failure to conceal his identity and his previous record with law enforcement.

Initially deemed mentally unfit to enter a plea, Stevens received treatment at the Mason Clinic psychiatric facility. After his condition improved, he pleaded guilty to non-aggravated robbery in November 2024, as investigators confirmed he was unarmed during the incident.

At the Manukau District Court, Judge Clare Bennett acknowledged Stevens' long-term mental health struggles while delivering the sentence, which included credit for time served in psychiatric care. The maximum sentence for non-aggravated robbery is 10 years.

The incident occurred amid other challenges for SkyCity Casino, which faced a five-day closure in September following regulatory violations related to inadequate problem gambling monitoring. The casino currently operates over 2,100 slot machines and 100+ live dealer tables, with three hotels totaling more than 900 rooms. SkyCity Entertainment Group also manages properties in Queenstown and Hamilton, New Zealand, as well as Adelaide, Australia.

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