SkyCity to Pay Large Fine to Settle Australian Regulatory Dispute
SkyCity Entertainment Group has agreed to pay AU$38.1 million (US$23.3 million) to the South Australian government, bringing an end to a long-standing regulatory dispute concerning the calculation of casino duty at SkyCity Adelaide. The settlement resolves issues related to the treatment of loyalty points converted to gaming machine play for tax purposes, an issue that had been the subject of legal proceedings between the company and regulatory authorities.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The total amount consists of AU$13.1 million (US$8 million) in additional casino duty and AU$24.8 million (US$15.2 million) in interest, covering duty return periods from January 2014 to January 2024. The settlement follows an extensive review of tax matters involving the casino, which had led to prolonged legal complications. SkyCity stated that the resolution of this matter allows both parties to move forward without further litigation.
Related: SkyCity Issued Multi-Million Fine for Anti-Money Laundering ViolationsSkyCity also acknowledged that the case involved intricate tax calculations related to the casino's duty payments. CEO Jason Walbridge described the issue as a lengthy and technically detailed tax matter concerning the interpretation of the agreement between SkyCity and the South Australian government. He also noted that the company is satisfied with the resolution and emphasized its commitment to maintaining a cooperative and constructive relationship with RevenueSA, the state's revenue authority.
The company has indicated that a formal settlement agreement will be finalized in the near future, reflecting the terms that SkyCity Adelaide has now agreed to. The resolution of this tax dispute represents another significant financial burden for the New Zealand-based casino operator, which has already faced substantial impairments and regulatory penalties in recent years.
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Millions in Fines Over the Past Few Years
SkyCity Adelaide previously recorded an asset impairment of AU$86.2 million (US$57.5 million) due to expected regulatory changes, including the introduction of mandatory carded play in 2026. This measure, alongside rising compliance costs, has significantly impacted the company's financial outlook for its Australian operations. The changes are expected to increase oversight and transparency in gaming activities, requiring further investment in compliance measures.
Beyond its obligations in Australia, SkyCity has also been affected by tax policy changes in New Zealand. The company recently recorded a tax adjustment of NZ$129.6 million (US$78.4 million) after New Zealand authorities revised tax legislation, eliminating the ability to depreciate commercial buildings with an estimated useful life of 50 years or more for tax purposes. This change has added another financial strain on the company, further challenging its profitability.
In addition to tax-related expenses, SkyCity has faced regulatory scrutiny for compliance failures. The company previously reached an AU$67 million (US$45 million) settlement with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) for historical anti-money laundering (AML) violations at SkyCity Adelaide.
In a separate matter, SkyCity also agreed to pay a civil penalty of NZ$4.16 million (US$2.54 million) to New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs. This fine relates to past breaches of the country's Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009.
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