Content Writer: Janice Chew • Tuesday, 25/11/2025 - 14:35:53 - PM
SkyCity Entertainment Group has received formal approval from the New Zealand Gambling Commission to renew the 15-year venue licence for its SkyCity Queenstown Casino property, effective from 7 December 2025. The renewal aligns with the provisions in the Gambling Act 2003, which permits venue licence extensions of this length.
The company welcomed the outcome, with CEO Jason Walbridge commenting that SkyCity is pleased to continue contributing to the entertainment landscape of Queenstown for both locals and visitors. The licence forms a key part of the group’s regional New Zealand operations alongside its Auckland and Hamilton venues, and the renewal provides operational certainty for the Queenstown site.
Regulatory documentation indicates that applications for licence renewal involve public notification, social impact assessments and consideration of community benefits and harm minimisation. In this case, local authorities noted low levels of gambling-related harm in the district and indicated limited need for further council intervention.