Sky City Adelaide in Australia is owned and operated by the New Zealand company Sky City Entertainment and is at present undergoing a major upgrade. Unlike the Auckland operation, which benefits from tourist revenue, Adelaide mostly caters for the local population. The extensive renovations being undertaken are with a view to attract some of the lucrative tourist market to Adelaide, also known as the City of Churches, which at present accounts for a mere 5-10% of casino patrons.

Auckland, with three-quarters of its visitor numbers accounted for by tourists has gone for the glitzy Las Vegas image, an image wholly unsuited to the old Adelaide railway station that is home to the Sky City Casino Adelaide. The station was constructed in the 1930s and is now a heritage building. In keeping with the era the casino will be given a classic décor, styled on the famous Casino de Monte Carlo.

Around US$15 million has already been spent on the renovation project and nearly US$54 million is budgeted for its completion in five to seven years. When finished Adelaide’s Sky City should become a leisure destination attractive to tourists, and will also offer a live entertainment venue. The company is working with the South Australia Tourism Commission to increase tourism and highlight the many attractions the area has to offer, including the Barossa Valley with its fine wines and beaches, and opal fossicking in the Outback. (E-02.07.05)

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