Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 May, 2019 at 10:57 am by Christian Keszthelyi
Gaming Innovation Group Inc (GiG) signed a long-term agreement with SKYCITY Malta Ltd, a subsidiary of New Zealand-based SKYCITY Entertainment Group Ltd, for the provision of its turnkey online casino solution including a gambling licence, according to a press statement issued by GiG.
The turnkey solution includes the technical platform, services, gaming content, front-end development, CRM, compliance and marketing. GiG will operate the online casino site from Malta on behalf of SKYCITY, offering online gambling to consumers in New Zealand, according to the press release.
GiG will support the expansion of SKYCITY’s growth in its new vertical of online casino, powered by GiG’s cutting-edge technology, flexible architecture and industry know-how.
NZ Regulation on the horizon
All gambling which takes place in New Zealand is regulated by the country’s Department of Internal Affairs, and the New Zealand-based company says the general expectation is that the country will regulate online casino gambling in the foreseeable future.
SKYCITY is a listed company in both New Zealand and Australia and has gained recognition for its tourism, leisure and entertainment services with casino gaming facilities in both countries. There are currently six land-based casinos operating in New Zealand in total, of which SKYCITY owns four.
SKYCITY says it aspires to be the leader in gaming, entertainment and hospitality in its communities while keeping the importance of responsible gaming as one of the cornerstones in its corporate responsibility mission.
The launch of the online casino offering is planned for Q3 2019, therefore GiG does not expect a material impact on its revenues this year. However, GiG expects this partnership to make a “significant positive contribution” to GiG’s revenues from 2020 onward, according to the press statement.
Key component
“SKYCITY is delighted to be partnering with GiG to establish an online casino offering, based in Europe. Growing and diversifying our earnings is a key component of our group strategic plan and developing an online presence to complement our existing land-based casinos in New Zealand will enable us to offer an enhanced gaming proposition for customers,” said Graeme Stephens, Chief Executive Officer of SKYCITY.
“GiG are an exciting and innovative technology company with best-in-class teams, systems, platforms and products and importantly share our focus on responsible gaming and host responsibility. We look forward to working with Robin and the team as we enter an exciting phase of growth at SKYCITY,” the SKYCITY CEO added.
“I am delighted that GiG is partnering with SKYCITY, we share the same high standards and ambitions for a safe, responsible and entertaining gaming experience for the end users,” said Robin Reed, Chief Executive Officer at GiG. “With this landmark deal, we are also entering a completely new continent where we can build on our ambition as the global partner for strong brands in iGaming,” he added.
“We look forward to supporting SKYCITY in its expansion into the online space, where our full suite of products and solutions all form part of a very competitive offering to its online customers. New Zealand is preparing for regulation of online casino gambling and we are there to support our partner further when it happens,” Mr Reed added.
