The Wonders of SkyCity Casino | Top Locations and Things To Do

SkyCity casinos are gambling sights to be visited at least once in a lifetime. Come along to discover all the available locations, working hours and how many games you can play here. Our team of experts analyzed each venue for all those New Zealanders who want to pay them a visit.

Choose Your SkyCity Casino

Disclaimer

We do not receive any monetary compensation for promoting these casino venues. Also, we review the information on our pages regularly. Hence, we aim to update the listed details should they change anytime in the future.

SkyCity Entertainment Group Overview

Responsible measures available in all venues

The company expresses its interest in responsible gambling by having:

• A dedicated page on its official website
• A self-assessment test
• A host responsibility programme.

Host responsibility

Although host responsibility refers to all the customer service skills of staff, it primarily targets players who are at risk.

As such, all casino team members, regardless of location, will escort out any gambler who shows signs of irresponsible behaviour. This includes:

• Excessive betting
• Loss chasing
• Spending hours on end at the tables.

We appreciate seeing employees taking a proactive stance in keeping players safe from addiction. Few land-based casinos adopt this policy.

How We Rate SkyCity Casinos

Accessibility

This refers to how smoothly you can get there, by car or other means of transportation. The more central, the better. Another plus is having a private SkyCity casino parking for its visitors. Some locations may even offer free parking to VIP members.

• Can be accessed by all transportation means – 5/5
• Can be accessed by car and some transportation means (bus/metro/train) – 4.5/5
• Can only be accessed by car (remote location) – 4/5

Entertainment

This parameter refers to how many non-gambling-related things you can do while on the premises. Extra points will be added for dining, cultural events, live concerts and other activities.

• Dining + live music + extra activities – 5/5
• Dining + some other activities – 4.5/5
• Only dining facilities – 4/5

Number of games

Slots

• 500 pokies or over – 5/5
• 300+ – 4.5/5
• 100-200 – 4/5
• Fewer than 100 – 3.5/5

Table games

• 100+ – 5/5
• 50-100 – 4.5/5
• No tables – N/A

Customer service

The parameter targets the host responsibility programme. The must-haves are:

• Promoting the smart casual SkyCity casino dresscode
• Stopping clients engaging in excessive play
• Keeping minors away from the premises
• Escorting away intoxicated patrons
• Stopping illicit activities like loan sharking or begging.

How we assess customer service

As we were not able to review this aspect ourselves by visiting all the venues, we gave a rating based on customer reviews. We consulted multiple online sources to examine and compare different opinions, then come up with an objective analysis.

Accommodation

Finally, we are interested whether any SkyCity casino has hotel rooms for its customers. According to our research, only two venues offer accomodation. Both of them provide premium services, along with plenty of other amenities.

Therefore, the casinos that also include hotels will get a 5/5 rating unless we notice discontentment from guests. Those that do not have any such services will get the N/A mark. In this case, we won’t take the accommodation aspect into consideration when giving an overall rating.

SkyCity Auckland

Casino

The resort’s casino offers more than 2100 slot machines and 150 table games. These include:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Baccarat
• Poker
• Pai Gow/Tai Sai

There is even an exclusive Baccarat room with over 20 tables. The area has a dedicated smoking balcony and bar. Above all, you may experience VIP gaming with international hosts and luxury treatment.

The venue also offers a Poker room and hosts Poker tournaments from time to time.

Be on top behaviour and respect the SkyCity Auckland dress code to avoid any unpleasant situations.

VIP club

Loyal members may join the exclusive Premier Rewards club. This gives you access to special draws and competitions, along with great-value food and beverages.The club has several VIP tiers:

• Ruby
• Sapphire
• Gold
• Platinum
• VIP Black

All you have to do is collect points! Every NZ$1 spent at the hotel and restaurants earns you 1 Premier Point.

After collecting enough points, you’ll be able to exchange them for cash. For example, 100 Premier Points are worth NZ$1. Remember that the points are only valid for 6 months.

Ruby and Sapphire members can earn free car park credit by earning 10 Premier Points while playing slots and table games.

Dining

It’s possible to dine at SkyCity Auckland, too, and the dinner menu lets you taste samples before you make up your mind.

Look for gourmet dishes like pan seared scallops and French Meringue. Other restaurants on the premises may provide you with Chinese food, grill, American and Italian cuisines. Here are some of them:

• Masu by Nic Watt
• Huami
• The Sugar Club
• Gusto at the Grand
• Orbit 360˚dining

Each restaurant has its own theme and exclusive dishes. Moreover, you’ll also spot several bars and cafes.

Facilities

SkyCity Auckland has five-star hotel accommodation, landing it a spot in the top land-based casinos in New Zealand. Besides this, its ultra-central position makes it easy to access multiple restaurants and bars, both in and outside the premises.

The principal attraction, however, is the Sky Tower. From it, you get a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. Moreover, it is perfect for dates: after sightseeing, you can take your significant other to the café on level 50.

Other amenities include:

• Yoga classes
• Gift shop
• SkyJump and SkyWalk
• Weta workshop
• Annual passes

If you are a driver, keep calm and enjoy the SkyCity parking policy: you get a private parking lot in the resort’s driveway.

Our rating

Reviewing criteria

According to our thorough reviewing criteria, the SkyCity Auckland venue received a 5/5 overall rating. There is nothing that this venue fails to offer! It has luxury accommodation, a wide range of casino games and amenities. The customer service is also impeccable, the staff being at the customers’ disposal 24/7. Above all, it is located in a central area, very easy to access by car, bus or other transport means.

SkyCity Hamilton

Casino

Out of all casinos under this enterprise’s name, SkyCity Hamilton is the newest. It is also the smallest, though you may look at it as a fun-sized version of the other locations.

The venue accommodates around 330 slot machines and 20 table games. You’ll find Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette and Poker. Besides gambling, you may try bowling, golf, or escape rooms.

Dresscode

Albeit smaller, SkyCity Hamilton has the strictest rules regarding your style of dress. You cannot enter the premises with:

• Torn clothes or patchwork
• Sunglasses
• Graphic prints.

The hosting team will escort out anybody not abiding by it, which gives the clubhouse an air of exclusivity.

VIP club

The casino’s VIP club is very similar to the other venues. It includes the same levels: Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum and VIP Black. The only difference is that, here, the last VIP two stages are only attainable by invitation.

Points are collected by spending cash on the premises. The benefits include special promotions, food and beverage deals and exclusive prize draws.

Dining

Dining is diverse at SkyCity Hamilton. Although this location is less high-brow than its Auckland counterpart, it features American dishes and Halal products. You may grab a bite at one of the following:

• The Local Taphouse
• Eat Burger
• Marble Room
• Vue Bar and Number 8 Bar

The location also has a restaurant with one of the largest screens in the world. It always broadcasts hot sports competitions.

Facilities

• Zone sports bar
• Escape rooms
• Bowling alleys
• Conference and event venues
• Car parking for all customers

This entertainment centre is centrally positioned and features private parking. To get a spot, you must pay NZ$20 per hour.

Rating

How did we rate the venue

We excluded the accommodation aspect as it doesn’t offer any. Hence, we only focused on elements like games, services, customer care and accessibility. The overall rating is 4.5 as SkyCity Hamilton is quite small and offers a more limited game selection. Other than that, we were fully satisfied with the location, services and extra facilities.

SkyCity Adelaide

This resort is located in Adelaide, Australia. However, we shall include it in our list as it is one of the most recognizable SkyCity venues. It nearly matches its Auckland counterpart in terms of facilities and services.

Casino

SkyCity Adelaide comes with an impressive collection of over 1000 slot machines and 100 table games. Besides traditional Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat and Poker tables, customers can also experience electronic tables. Everything is wrapped up in huge on-screen action!

Besides that, you may experience VIP gaming through exclusive tables, international and interstate gaming machines and private lounges.

VIP club

The SkyRewards programme is similar to the loyalty schemes at the other venues. You shall collect points based on your spending on gaming activities, accommodation and dining. Yet, there are a few differences at SkyCity Adelaide. Here are the available levels and their associated benefits:

Dining

At SkyCity Adelaide, customers may explore not less than 10 restaurants and bars! These have different themes, dishes and price ranges. There is something tailored to all visitors’ tastes! You may stop by the following:

• Sol Rooftop
• Madame Hanoi
• Lucky Noodle
• Westward
• Chandelier Bar

Customers who prefer fine dining may dive into Sean’s Kitchen. Although the name gives the impression of a casual dining place, it is anything but that! The luxurious restaurant offers some of Sean Connolly’s greatest recipes. From locally sourced fire pit steaks to fresh Australian seafood, there are plenty of delicacies to taste at SkyCity Adelaide!

Facilities

• Live music and exclusive events
• Jazz sessions
• Happy Hour and daily rewards
• Spa and wellness centre

Accommodation

The five-star hotel at SkyCity Adelaide comes with:

• Oasis view suites
• Villas
• Leisure deck
• River view penthouses.

Rating

The rating explained

This Australian entertainment oasis falls short behind SkyCity’s Auckland location. We gave a lower gaming rating solely based on the fact that it offers half of Auckland’s game collection. However, the selection is still very extensive. Other than that, we were highly satisfied with all the other amenities and services. Moreover, its location is easily accessible, as well.

SkyCity Queenstown

Casino

Although SkyCity Queenstown doesn’t have a huge game collection, it doesn’t mean that it fails to impress! Visitors may try out around 80 slot machines and a few table games. These include Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette. The venue doesn’t offer any Poker facilities at the moment.

Those who are new to gambling may ask the casino’s staff for ‘Learn to Play’ brochures available on the main floor. The games come with an extensive betting range. So, they are suitable both for beginners and experienced players.

SkyCity Queenstown actually hosts two casinos: the Queenstown Casino and Wharf casino, which is currently closed until further notice.

VIP club

Loyal members may join the Premier Rewards club and collect points by spending cash on-site. Yet, compared to the other locations, only 4 VIP levels are available at SkyCity Queenstown:

• Ruby
• Sapphire
• Gold
• Platinum

The benefits include food and beverage discounts, special promotions, exclusive prize draws, invitations to private events and birthday gifts.

Dining

As SkyCity Queenstown is much smaller than the others, only one restaurant is available. It is the Wild Thyme Bar and Kitchen. Here, you can taste affordable dishes and try out plenty of beverages. It offers both lunch and dinner options, as well as a snack menu.

Other facilities

• Live sports streaming
• Meeting room

Rating

Our criteria explained

The customer service at SkyCity Queenstown is irreproachable in our opinion. Yet, the gaming collection is not very extensive and there are no other entertainment facilities besides the casino. Moreover, one of the two available casinos is closed at the moment. While rating this venue, we excluded the accommodation aspect.

SkyCity Online Casino

SkyCity Online Casino receives licensing from the Malta Gaming Authority, ensuring its security. Furthermore, it manages to stay in accordance with New Zealand laws, which are stricter than those in other jurisdictions.

The main advantage of going online is that you get access to the best casino bonuses NZ, including deposit match incentives and no deposit free spins NZ.

Top slots to play at SkyCity Online Casino

• Wolf Gold (Pragmatic Play) – RTP 96.01%, wilds, scatter symbols, respins
• 9 Masks of Fire (Microgaming) – RTP 96.24%, free spins, multipliers
• Dynamite Riches (Red Tiger Gaming) – RTP 94.76%, wilds, multipliers, 5000x max payout
• Peaky Blinders (Pragmatic Play) – RTP 96.50%, free spins
• Starburst (NetEnt) – RTP 96.09%, expanding symbols, respins, spreading wilds.

Do you want to find out more?

To see all the strengths and weaknesses of this gambling website, you can check out the SkyCity Online Casino review created by our team of experts. While doing the research, we analysed the platform and all of its features to offer players an accurate overview.

9+ Reasons to Choose SkyCity Casino

• The locations are highly versatile
• Five-star accommodation for bigger resorts
• Live music and concerts
• Live sporting events on screen
• The Sky Tower, including yoga sessions
• Central positioning for all venues
• Private parking
• Host responsibility programme
• Reputable online version
• Top SkyCity restaurant services.

Which Location Fits your Gambling Profile

SkyCity Auckland & Adelaide

These are the top locations for highrollers. They also fit:

• Gamblers who enjoy gaming diversity
• Lovebirds looking for a thrill
• Those who want an elegant gaming environment
• Gourmet players
• Art lovers
• Equally invested in pokies and tables.

SkyCity Hamilton & Queenstown

Go for these locations if you are:

• Looking for high quality at medium prices
• Want to gamble for a short while and leave
• Planning a teambuilding at the casino
• A pokies fan.