SKYCITY first advised of its intention to acquire the
property in February 2004, outlining at that time that the
purchase was subject to various approvals. SKYCITY received
the necessary regulatory approvals and completed other
conditions precedent for the acquisition of the Darwin casino
and hotel complex in Australia’s Northern Territory earlier
this month. SKYCITY’s Managing Director, Evan Davies, said the
company was delighted to welcome a second Australian property
into the SKYCITY Group. “We are pleased to conclude this
transaction and begin the integration of SKYCITY Darwin into
the Group.” “The immediate priority for us will be to meet
with staff, introduce SKYCITY and our vision as a fun and
entertainment business and explain what the ownership
transition will mean for them,” said Mr Davies. Located 3km
from the city centre the Darwin casino and hotel is a
mid-sized gaming operation, approximately 25% larger than
SKYCITY’s most recently opened casino, SKYCITY Hamilton (New
Zealand), in terms of gaming machines and table numbers.
The property is the only licensed casino in Darwin and the
largest in the Northern Territory. The property comprises
three gaming rooms (26 tables, 450 gaming machines and 50 NT
Keno venues), a 107-room hotel, four restaurants and five
bars. “Beyond branding-related changes, which begin today, it
will be business as usual for the foreseeable future. We will
take time to become familiar with the property and local
operating environment before confirming what, if any,
improvements to the existing business may be necessary,” said
Mr Davies. SKYCITY, which acquired the former Adelaide Casino
from the South Australian government in 2000 (since renamed
SKYCITY Adelaide), has been dual-listed on the ASX and the NZX
since July 2002 and currently has a market capitalisation of
A$1.7 billion (NZ$1.9 billion).
| Address |
Gilruth Avenue, Mindil Beach, Darwin, Northern
Territory, Australia |
| Opening date |
- |
| Management |
Tabcorp |
| No. of rooms |
117 |
| Casino type |
Land |
| Owner |
Sky City Entertainment Group |
| Previous names |
MGM Grand Darwin |
| Website |
http://www.skycitydarwin.com.au |
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