Skycity Rainbow 2100X1402

Regulatory Environment

In New Zealand, casino gaming activities are regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs and Gambling Commission in accordance with the Gambling Act 2003. In Australia, casino gaming activities are regulated by the relevant State and Territory governments.

Regulatory Structure?

Casino licensing in New Zealand is governed by the Gambling Act 2003, which is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs and Gambling Commission.

Under the Gambling Act, two licences are required to operate a casino in New Zealand:

  • a site-specific casino venue licence; and
  • a casino operator's licence.

A casino venue licence typically runs for an initial term of 25 years from the date of opening of the relevant casino. However, a casino venue licence may be renewed for further successive periods of 15 years each under the Gambling Act. A casino venue licence has been issued for each of SkyCity's New Zealand casinos.

SkyCity Casino Management Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited) holds a casino operator's licence for each of SkyCity's New Zealand casinos.

SkyCity's casino venue licences and casino operator's licences can be viewed at the Gambling Commission's website.

SkyCity has a venue licence for each of its three venues in New Zealand - Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown.  The table below outlines the significant dates associated with the licences.

SkyCity Casino

Date Venue Licence Granted

Term of Venue Licence for Casino

Operational Start Date of Casino

Expiry Date

Auckland

24 April 1995

25 yrs from date of operation

2 February 1996

30 June 2048 (1) & (2)

Hamilton

10 December 1999

25 yrs from date of operation

19 September 2002

18 September 2027 (1)

Queenstown

18 June 1999

25 yrs from date of operation

7 December 2000

6 December 2025 (1)

Queenstown

(Wharf Casino)

NOW CLOSED

 18 June 1999

25 yrs from date of operation 

11 September 1999

Acquired by SkyCity 23 July 2013

11 September 2024 (1)

This licence was surrendered on 28 March 2024 

(1) The casino licences may be renewed for a further period of 15 years as provided by section 138 of the Gambling Act 2003.

(2) As extended by the New Zealand International Convention Centre Project and Licensing Agreement dated 5 July 2013.

Casino licensing in South Australia is governed by the Casino Act 1997, which is administered by the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner (Consumer & Business Services).

In February 2000, SkyCity Australia Pty Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited) was the successful bidder for Adelaide Casino Pty Limited, the holder of the casino licence for South Australia. The Adelaide Casino licence currently runs until 2085, with casino exclusivity in the State of South Australia until 2035.

The Approved Licensing Agreement can be viewed here. The Adelaide Casino Duty Agreement can be viewed here.

Casino gaming in South Australia is regulated by Consumer and Business (CBD)