SKYCITY purchases Wharf Casino in Queenstown

SKYCITY Entertainment Group has purchased Otago Casinos Limited, which holds the licence for the Wharf Casino in Queenstown.

SKYCITY Chief Executive Nigel Morrison today said that SKYCITY was pleased to acquire the Wharf Casino, for $5 million, which is subject to regulatory approval from the Commerce Commission and the Gambling Commission.

The Wharf Casino licence allows for a maximum of 74 electronic gaming machines and 6 gaming tables while the casino has a central location in Queenstown’s central business district.

“The purchase of the Wharf Casino is part of our strategy of increasing our presence in Queenstown.

“SKYCITY sees Queenstown as an area of significant potential for continued tourism development and as one of New Zealand’s leading tourism operators, we are very interested in the region.

“Queenstown is already a very popular destination for our overseas VIP guests. Today’s announcement will add to our offering in Queenstown.

“It comes after we assumed full ownership of SKYCITY Queenstown Casino late last year. We are also part of a consortium that is the preferred group to build the Queenstown Convention Centre.

“We are looking forward to developing our business in this iconic region of New Zealand and contributing further to the Queenstown community,” Mr Morrison said.

Source: eTravel Blackboard, 20 May 2013