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Skycity Auckland | |
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Location | Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand |
Address | Corner Victoria and Federal Streets |
Opening date | February 2, 1996; 23 years ago |
Signature attractions | Sky Tower |
Casino type | Land |
Owner | Skycity Entertainment Group |
Renovated in | 2006 |
Website | www.skycityauckland.co.nz |
Skycity Auckland (stylised as SkyCity Auckland) is a casino and event centre in the central business district of Auckland, New Zealand, between Victoria and Federal Streets. Located at the base of the Sky Tower, it was the second casino in New Zealand, and is still the only one in Auckland.
- 5New convention centre
Facilities[edit]
In addition to the Sky Tower, the complex includes a 700-seat theatre, a convention centre, 12 bars and restaurants, and two hotels. The main feature however is the casino itself, with over 1,600 gaming machines, and over 100 tables with games such as blackjack and roulette. The casino was most recently refurbished in 2006. The casino also has the 'Pacific Room' (table games) and the 'Platinum Room' (game machines) for VIP / high-stakes gamblers.[1] The casino has a large percentage of Asian customers, and undertakes special initiatives to cater for them.[2]
In September 2013, it was announced that Skycity Auckland had purchased a 21m motor yacht 'Horizon II' for corporate entertainment.[3]
Play old playstation games online. In February 2018, Skycity Auckland opened New Zealand’s first purpose-built e-sports broadcasting studio, located on Level 2 of the Sky Tower, formerly known as XO Bar.[4]
By 2019 it will also house a convention centre catering for up to 3500 guests, costing over $700 million, after cutting a deal with the Government that will allow it to install extra pokie machines and gambling tables.[5]
History[edit]
Facade of Skycity Auckland
The Sky Tower,[6] convention centre and hotel[7] were all built by Fletcher Construction and completed by 1997.
Skycity was the second casino in the country. At the time of its construction, it was controversial, just like the Sky Tower itself. Unlike the city's icon towering above it, major figures like former Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard have remained critical of the casino, though he acknowledged that the complex itself has been positive for the city. However, there is criticism from various sources that the casino creates problem gambling and does not ban problem gamblers proactively enough.[8]
New Zealand Sky Tower
The casino provides almost 2000 jobs (as of January 2006), and has returned NZ$670 million in dividends to mainly Australian shareholders, from more than eight million visitors that have passed through, 15% from overseas. NZ$18.6 million were also paid to community organisations and trusts in the same time. 1.5% of the operating profit has to be paid out to charity according to law.[8]
With profits at its parent, the Skycity Entertainment Group, falling, it was announced in May 2007 that around 230 staff of Sky City would be let go within the following 12–18 months, though it was thought likely to be mostly through turnover attrition, and would be focused on management staff.[2][9]
Hotels[edit]
Skycity Hotel, Auckland is a casino hotel and was opened in February 1996. It is one of New Zealands busiest hotels and is located inside the main Auckland complex and serves mainly families, business travellers and gamblers who play at the casino. It offers 323 rooms refurbished in 2013.[10] Hotel guests may use all the facilities in the complex. It is a Qualmark rated 4 star hotel.[11]
Skycity Grand Hotel is a luxury 5 star hotel and was officially opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark in April 2005 after costing $85 million. It is not located inside the main complex but is adjacent and is connected by a skybridge. It serves mainly older guests, VIPs and high stake gamblers who play at the casino. Many celebrities have stayed at the hotel including Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Linkin Park. The Grand features 21 levels and 316 rooms. The rooms include The Grand Suite, 8 Premier Self Contained Suites, 11 Executive King Suites and 296 Luxury King rooms. The room interiors were designed by Chhada Siembieda (specialists in luxury hotel interiors and responsible for the W Hotel chain as well as the Hayman Island Resort, Sydney Hilton and the Hotel Intercontinental in both Sydney and in Hong Kong). Facilities and services include 24-hour room service and reception, a heated lap pool, fitness center, sauna, health spa, personal trainers, baby sitting and a hotel doctor.[12]
Events[edit]
In 2019, the Skycity Convention Centre played host to two World boxing title events, promoted by Bruce Glozier and Steve Deane of Rival Sports Promotions. The first event took place on March 30th Geovana Peres took on Lani Daniels for the WBO World womens light heavyweight title dubbed History in the making.[13] The event Sold out with 680 table tickets and was prerecored to broadcast on Sky Sports tv later in the week.[14] On 30th July, Bruce Glozier of Rival Sports Promotion announced the second World title event, Geovana Peres vs Claire Hafner.[15] As part of promoting the event, Geovana Peres did a world first by doing boxing pad work outside on top of the Sky Tower, 193 metres in the air.[16] The event sold out with over 1000 tickets and was broadcast live on Sky Sports 3 TV.[17]
New convention centre[edit]
In May 2013, the Government came to a deal with Skycity to build a new convention centre worth $402 million in exchange for gambling concessions. The concessions would allow Skycity to install an extra 230 poker machines, 40 gambling tables, as well as a further 12 gaming tables that could be substituted for automated table game player stations (but not poker machines). Skycity would also receive an extension to their casino licence, from its expiry in 2021 until 2048. In exchange, Skycity would be required to meet the full costs of the convention centre project.[18]
Describing the benefit for New Zealand, Economic Development Minister, Steven Joyce said the convention centre would add an estimated $90 million a year to the local economy, create 1,000 jobs during construction and 800 jobs once the centre is running.[18]
In 2015 it was announced that the anticipated cost of the convention centre had increased by $70–$130 million, to a total maximum of $530 million. Prime Minister John Key said he was considering making up the shortfall by giving Skycity public tax money to finish the project – as it would be an 'eyesore' if the extra funding was not made available.[19] Two days later on 12 February, following criticism in the media and in Parliament, the Prime Minister described the use of taxpayer funds as the 'least preferred option'.[20] Subsequently, on 15 February, it was announced that instead of seeking funding from the government for project over-runs, Skycity would instead be allowed to build a convention centre which was slightly smaller, so that total costs would remain about $400 million. The other option was that Skycity could put in funds of its own to build a large convention centre. The Labour Party claimed the move was a win for those who were opposed to public money bailing out the deal.[21]
2019 convention centre fire[edit]
A fire in the roof and upper part of the new convention centre started on 22 October 2019 while the building was still under construction. The fire burned for about two days, partly as a result of a decision to sacrifice the roof in order to try to save the lower part of the building by improving safety and access for firefighters working under the roof. After the roof had mostly burned away the remaining fire was extinguished.
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The fire caused widespread disruption to Auckland's central business district and the air pollution in the city to exceed safe levels for the first time in over ten years.[22][23]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^VIP Gaming (from the official casino website)
- ^ abMarshall, Colin (22 May 2007). 'Union 'in the dark' over SkyCity job losses'. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^'SkyCity's 'floating palace' for high rollers'. New Zealand Herald. 2013-09-01. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
- ^'Social Snapshot: Sky City unveils new e-sports broadcasting centre'. Newshub. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
- ^'SkyCity convention centre set to create 800 jobs - Joyce'. TV NZ. May 13, 2013.
- ^Fletcher Construction website - Sky Tower
- ^Fletcher Construction website
- ^ ab'Auckland's big gamble, 10 years on'. The New Zealand Herald. 29 January 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^Orsman, Bernard (23 May 2007). 'Cards called for 230 at SkyCity in cost-cut drive'. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^'SkyCity Hotel official site'.
- ^'Qualmark official site'.
- ^'SkyCity Grand Hotel official site'.
- ^'THE ULTIMATE DREAM HAS COME TRUE FOR GEOVANA PERES'. Gay Express. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- ^'Peres-Daniels WBO World Title fight a sell out'. Newsie. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- ^'Boxing: Kiwi Geovana Peres to defend WBO title against Canadian Claire Hafner'. New Zealand Herald. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- ^'Kiwi boxing champion Geovana Peres to defend title'. Stuff NZ. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- ^'Geovana Peres Retains World title with the first TKO of her Career'. Women Boxing. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- ^ ab'SkyCity convention centre set to create 800 jobs - Joyce'. TVNZ. 13 May 2013.
- ^'John Key: SkyCity will be an 'eyesore' without government money'. Stuff.co.nz. 10 February 2015.
- ^'Public money for SkyCity convention centre 'least preferred' fix'. The New Zealand Herald. 12 February 2015.
- ^'SkyCity drops funding bid'. Radio New Zealand News. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^'Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Firefighter in serious condition as building goes up in flames'. Stuff.co.nz. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
- ^'SkyCity fire live: Inferno rages, roof fears, TVNZ evacuated'. New Zealand Herald. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
External links[edit]
Coordinates: 36°50′56″S174°45′42″E / 36.8488°S 174.7617°E
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Skycity_Auckland&oldid=925401504'
Public | |
Traded as | NZX: SKC ASX: SKC |
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Industry | Gaming & hospitality |
Founded | 1996 24 years ago |
Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
Key people | Graeme Stephens (CEO) Rob Hamilton(CFO) |
Products | Casinos & hotels |
Website | skycityentertainmentgroup.com |
Skycity Entertainment Group, also known as simply Skycity, is a gaming and entertainment company based in Auckland, New Zealand. It owns and operates five casino properties in New Zealand and Australia, which include a variety of restaurants and bars, two luxury hotels, convention centres, and Auckland's Sky Tower.
The company's shares are traded on both the Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges. Reported net profit after tax (NPAT) was $128.7 million, with the Group seeing revenue exceeding $1 billion for the first time in the company's history[when?].
The group was established in 1996 as the owner of the Skycity Auckland complex. Hit it big casino slots. In 1998 it took over operations of the complex from Harrah's Entertainment.[1]
Skycity casinos often depend to a large degree on several hundred high-stakes gamblers, often from East Asia, who may gamble hundreds of thousands of dollars in one visit to a casino.[2]
- 2Properties
- 3Former properties
History[edit]
Since opening its original Auckland casino on 2 February 1996, Skycity has expanded its operations to several New Zealand and Australian cities.
In June 2000, it bought the Adelaide Casino. It added another casino to its portfolio when it opened Skycity Queenstown in the alpine resort of Queenstown. In July 2004 it bought the Darwin Casino and Hotel from MGM Mirage and rebranded it as Skycity Darwin. Then in June 2004 it acquired a 40.5% holding in the Christchurch Casino when it bought Aspinal Limited.
In April 2016, longtime CEO Nigel Morrison stepped down as managing director and chief executive. Graeme Stephens was appointed as Skycity's new chief executive.
On May 21, 2019, Skycity announced a long-term agreement with Malta-based Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) to supply technology for Skycity's new real-money online casino. The site, which will operate using GiG's Malta Gaming Authority online gambling license, plans to launch in the third quarter of 2019.[3]
Properties[edit]
The Skycity group owns five casinos in Australia and New Zealand: Skycity Auckland, Skycity Hamilton, Skycity Queenstown, Skycity Wharf Casino, and Adelaide Casino.
Adelaide[edit]
Adelaide Casino was bought by Skycity Entertainment Group in June 2000. It has 90 gaming tables and 990 gaming machines. It has the only table gaming licence issued out by the South Australian Government, giving it a monopoly over the gambling business in the state.
Auckland[edit]
Skycity Auckland is New Zealand's largest casino. Located in Central Auckland, it provides table and slot machine gaming, with 1647 gaming machines and 110 gaming tables. The facility includes the 328-metre (1,076 ft) Sky Tower, two hotels, convention centre, a 700-seat theatre, and more than 20 restaurants and bars with regular live bands, DJs and other entertainment. It opened on 2 February 1996. By 2017 it will also house a convention centre catering for up to 3500 guests, costing $402 million.[4]
Skycity Hotel, Auckland is a four-star casino hotel. It is one of New Zealand's busiest hotels and is located inside the main Auckland complex. It serves mainly families, business people and casino customers. It offers 323 rooms, which were refurbished in 2013.[5]
Skycity Grand Hotel is a luxury five-star hotel and was officially opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark in April 2005. It is not located inside the main complex but is adjacent and is connected by an 'Air Bridge'. It serves VIPs, business people and high stake gamblers who play at the casino. The Grand features 21 floors and 316 rooms. The rooms comprise The Grand Suite, 8 Self Contained Suites, 11 King Suites and 296 rooms. Facilities and services include 24-hour room service and reception, a swimming pool, fitness center with personal trainers, sauna, health spa, baby sitting and a hotel doctor.[6]
On 22 October 2019 the new Convention Centre located in Auckland CBD caught fire while still under construction.[7]
Hamilton[edit]
Skycity Hamilton is a casino in Hamilton, New Zealand, that opened in September 2002. It has 339 gaming machines and 23 tables, a restaurant and a bar, with live music and other performers on Friday and Saturday nights. It is part of the Riverside Centre on the Waikato River, which includes bars, restaurants and ten-pin bowling all operated by Skycity Hamilton.
Queenstown[edit]
Skycity Queenstown opened in December 2000. It has 86 gaming machines and 12 gaming tables.[8]
The Skycity Wharf Casino, located in the Steamer Wharf complex a short distance from Skycity Queenstown, has 74 gaming machines and 6 gaming tables.
Former properties[edit]
Darwin[edit]
Skycity Darwin, previously known as the MGM Grand Darwin, was the only casino in Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, Australia. Skycity bought the casino, including a 5 star hotel, from MGM Mirage on 23 June 2004 for US$140 million. Skycity Darwin housed 700 gaming machines and 40 gaming tables.
Skycity sold the Darwin property to American company Delaware North in November 2018 for $188 million and it was subsequently renamed as Mindil Beach Casino & Resort.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'US gambling giant linked to SkyCity'. The Dominion Post. 26 September 2007.
- ^Hembry, Owen (1 March 2007). 'SkyCity hit as luck changes for VIPs'. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^Rowe, Don (22 May 2019). 'SkyCity ignores government, signs deal to open online casino'. The Spinoff. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^'Govt confirms $402M convention centre deal'. 3 News NZ. 13 May 2013.
- ^'SkyCity Hotel official site'.
- ^'SkyCity Grand Hotel official site'.
- ^'Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Firefighter in serious condition as building goes up in flames'. Stuff. 22 October 2019.
- ^'Our Business'. SkyCity Entertainment Group. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Skycity_Entertainment_Group&oldid=927248913'