SkyCity set to reopen casino venues as NZ Covid alert level drops
SkyCity Entertainment Group has announced plans to re-open its Hamilton and Queenstown casino venues following a nationwide easing of coronavirus restrictions.
The re-open is expected from 8 September in line with New Zealand's Covid-19 alert level moving from level 4 to level 2.
SkyCity's Auckland property will remain closed as the region is still under level 4 restrictions. The Wharf Casino venue in Queenstown will also remain closed due to border restrictions.
SkyCity's venues were most recently forced to close in August in accordance with the New Zealand government's lockdown protocols.
Furthermore, SkyCity Hamilton's application for a temporary cashiering facility has been approved by the New Zealand Gambling Commission, as well as construction and design changes.
The application concerned the construction of bank facilities outside the gambling area and within the casino, which would be made available to the public. The addition of signage relating to the casino business on the exterior of the venue has also been approved.
In August, SkyCity reported a 17.6% decrease in its revenue year-on-year, as the business brought in NZ$959.2m (£486.1m/€567.4m/US$667.5m) during the 12 months ended 30 June.