New Zealand casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group last week resumed full operations, without restrictions, after the government dropped the nation’s Covid-19 Alert Level to Level 1. All restrictions on business activity are no longer in effect.
After the country logged more than 14 days with no reported new coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the lifting of restrictions, reported Inside Asian Gaming.
Border restrictions remain in effect, however; New Zealand nationals and their families can enter the country, but must then go into quarantine for 14 days.
With the downgraded alert, SkyCity’s casinos in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington will be among the first in the world to resume full operations, with no social distancing measures on gaming floors or anywhere else. Only its Wharf in Queenstown will stay closed for mow.
“We are extremely excited to be welcoming all SkyCity customers back to our precincts,” SkyCity CEO Graeme Stephens said. “It will be fantastic to be busy again and able to have the public enjoy the many different facets of our properties.”
“SkyCity remains committed to maintaining robust health and safety standards to manage the risks associated with Covid-19 and will be encouraging customers to maintain contact tracing via the government’s NZ Covid-19 Tracer app.”
In a statement, SkyCity noted that electronic gaming machines and gaming tables will operate “as usual, without physical distancing requirements—in particular, the gaming ‘zones’ implemented at Alert Level 2 will be removed.” Events and promotions will also begin again.
In a recent filing, SkyCity said its business will be domestically focused for the near term, and employee layoffs could reduce costs by around NZ$50 million (US$81.5 million) per year.
According to CDC Gaming Reports, harness and greyhound racing in New Zealand resumed in May, with thoroughbred racing making its comeback on July 3.
TAB NZ, the betting division of the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) saw an almost 50 percent drop in monthly revenue in May, with customer numbers dropping 35 percent. As a result, TAB laid off 30 percent of its employees and closed four betting shops.
