Auckland headquartered gaming and entertainment firm SkyCity Entertainment Group has launched its online gambling portal alongside Gaming Innovation Group.
Facilitated through through the New Zealand firm’s SkyCity Malta subsidiary, skycitycasino.com, based on the Mediterranean island, is available now for consumers within SkyCity’s home market, and is powered by GiG’s MT SecureTrade.
The pair announced the collaboration earlier this year, with the former stressing an aim of becoming a leader in gaming, entertainment and hospitality in jurisdictions within which it operates.
Graeme Stephens, chief executive officer of SkyCity, said of the new offering: “This is an exciting day for SkyCity and one we have been working towards for some time alongside SkyCity Malta and our partner GiG.
“While ultimately a regulated online gaming market in New Zealand remains the preferred solution, the site launch is another step on our journey of pursuing opportunities to grow and diversify our earnings, addressing a new, fast growing industry which is highly complementary to our land-based activities and offering customers a multi-channel gaming experience.”
Operated from GiG’s Maltese base the turnkey igaming solution features the technical platform, fully managed services, gaming content, front end development, CRM, compliance and marketing.
SkyCity, which counts five land-based casinos as part of its stable, emphasises a support for regulating online casino gambling in New Zealand, stressing that the offshore market currently stands at approximately NZ$160m (€96m).
The company states that it “remains supportive of regulating the New Zealand online casino market, including introducing an appropriate licensing regime for operators and imposing taxes and mandatory host responsibility requirements”.
All gambling that takes place in New Zealand is regulated by the country’s Department of Internal Affairs.
Robin Reed, CEO at GiG, acommented: “GiG is pursuing a strategy of becoming the global partner for strong brands in igaming. SkyCity Entertainment Group is the largest and most reputable gambling and leisure firm in New Zealand.
“We are very proud to have been entrusted to provide our full suite of gaming services to them. It has been great to work with Graeme and his accomplished team and due to a great collaboration, we have managed to launch a state-of-the art digital casino experience only two months after signing the agreement. We are looking forward to supporting SkyCity in its aspirations to provide a leading online gambling venue in New Zealand.”