Adelaide Casino 4.65

Adelaide Casino is a large casino and recreational venue on the north edge of the Adelaide city centre. Located in the heritage-listed Adelaide railway station building on North Terrace, Adelaide, the casino has 90 gaming tables and 950 gaming machines, as well as several bars, function areas and restaurants. Operated as part of the Skycity Entertainment Group, it is the sole licensed casino in South Australia, regulated by the Independent Gambling Authority and the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner (Consumer and Business Services) under the Casino Act 1997.The Casino is the 10th largest employer in South Australia, currently employing over 1100 staff members. In 2007/2008, Adelaide Casino paid over $41 million in taxes and charges to the State and Federal Governments.HistoryThe Adelaide Casino opened in December 1985, the casino licence being held by the Lotteries Commission which appointed Aitco Pty Ltd to establish and operate a casino on its behalf. Originally consisting of 89 gaming tables, in 1991 the casino was authorised to operate video gaming machines, and in 1993 to operate poker machines. By 1997 they totalled 674 machines. The monies received by the Commission from the Casino operator include unclaimed prizes, licence fees, 13.75% of net gaming revenue from tables, and 4.0% of turnover from machines. In the year ending June 1995 the amount paid to the Government was $20.20 million.In June 2000 the casino was sold to Skycity Entertainment Group, under a new licensing regime which eliminated the separation of roles of the licensee and the operator and provided for the grant of a single casino licence. The new licensee was Skycity Adelaide Pty Ltd and the approved licensing agreement locked in 15 years of exclusivity over casino table games which also included fixed rates of duty for the exclusivity period.