Negative sentiment is hurting Sky City's share price and New Zealand should embrace casino tourism, like Australia has, Sky City chief executive Nigel Morrison says.
The casino operator told shareholders at its annual meeting it expected revenues to grow in the next year but the strong New Zealand dollar against the Australian would continue to drag on earnings.
Mr Morrison said the share price in New Zealand had fallen from its high of $4.50, partly due to the exchange rate but also due to negative sentiment.
"We're a pretty tall poppy and one of the largest public companies in New Zealand," he said.
"We operate obviously in a gaming industry, which some people have different moral perspectives on."
The Opposition - and in particular the Greens - had played on that sentiment "and the media have paid attention to that significantly, and I think that's hurt us as well".
"It's hurt our brand, it's hurt our reputation."
Shareholder Coralee Van Camp told the meeting the public perceived the company to be too close to National Party politicians over its deal on the New Zealand Convention Centre and extra gambling machines.
"If you do get this passed in Parliament, it's going to be passed by (ACT MP) John Banks, and at the moment he's in a very, very terrible position where you're going to have to give evidence in his trial when it comes up, about his donation that you gave him," she said.
"I'm sure that by now you're probably rethinking giving political donations as all."
At the Auckland District Court on Wednesday, a judge committed Mr Banks to trial on a charge he filed a false return after the 2010 Auckland mayoral election.
Judge Phil Gittos ruled Mr Banks must face trial over his failure to disclose donations made to his mayoral campaign by casino operator SkyCity and internet businessman Kim Dotcom.
