SkyCity Auckland is New Zealand’s best-known casino and entertainment complex, sitting on the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets in the Auckland CBD beneath the Sky Tower. The casino floor is open around the clock for most of the year, entry to the gaming areas is strictly 20+, and you will need valid photo ID. This independent guide covers what is inside, the entry rules, the wider precinct and how to plan a visit sensibly.
SkyCity Auckland at a glance
The complex is operated by SkyCity Entertainment Group, with the casino licence held by SkyCity Casino Management Ltd. SkyCity also runs casinos in Hamilton and Queenstown. The official casino address is 72–78 Victoria Street West, Auckland 1010, and the main phone line is +64 9 363 6000.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Corner of Victoria and Federal Streets, Auckland CBD |
| Casino address | 72–78 Victoria Street West, Auckland 1010 |
| Opened | 2 February 1996 |
| Gaming age | 20+ for the gaming areas |
| Casino hours | 24/7, except Christmas Day, Good Friday and 3am–1pm on Anzac Day |
| Phone | +64 9 363 6000 |
A short history
The casino opened on 2 February 1996, and the Sky Tower followed on 3 August 1997. Until 2022 it was the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere, and it remains the visual anchor of the city skyline. The precinct has grown steadily since, adding a second hotel in 2005 and, most recently, the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Construction of the convention centre was set back by a major fire in 2019 that disrupted much of the CBD; the building finally had its ceremonial opening on 11 February 2026.
What’s inside the casino
According to SkyCity, the Auckland casino has more than 2,100 gaming machines and over 10 game types across 150 tables. Table games include baccarat, blackjack, poker and tai sai, and there is a dedicated Poker Room as well as VIP gaming areas. (Older third-party figures quote smaller numbers, so treat SkyCity’s own published count as the current one.)
For more detail on each side of the floor:
- Machines, jackpots and how casino pokies differ from pub machines: SkyCity Auckland pokies
- Tables, the Poker Room, carded play and the rewards programme: SkyCity Auckland casino gaming
SkyCity’s free rewards programme, SHOW by SkyCity, is open to people aged 20 and over who are not excluded. Members earn points on their activity. It is worth remembering that points are a marketing tool rather than a reason to play longer.
Entry rules, ID and dress code
The gaming areas are restricted to people aged 20 and over, and staff check ID routinely. Leave extra time at the door if you are visiting with a group.
| Rule | Details (per SkyCity) |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 20 years for the gaming areas |
| Accepted ID | Current passport; current NZ or Australian driver licence; current NZ firearms licence; current overseas national identity card with signature or biometric data |
| Dress standard | Neat and tidy |
| Not permitted | Torn or dirty clothing, safety or hi-vis vests, sleeveless tops on men, gang patches or insignia |
| Hats and caps | Not allowed, except for religious or medical reasons, or in the Poker Zone |
| Sunglasses | Not allowed, except in the Poker Zone |
A photo of your ID on your phone is not the same as the document itself, so bring the physical card or passport.
Opening hours
The casino operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The three exceptions are Christmas Day, Good Friday and the morning of Anzac Day, when the gaming areas are closed from 3am until 1pm. Restaurants, bars, the Sky Tower and the theatre keep their own hours, so check each one separately before you plan an evening around it.
Beyond the casino floor
Sky Tower
The Sky Tower rises 328 m to the top of its mast. The main observation level, the Skydeck, sits at 220 m, with views stretching up to 82 km on a clear day. For something more adrenaline-driven there is SkyJump, a 192 m controlled descent reaching up to 85 km/h, and SkyWalk, a walk around the outside of the tower. Orbit, at 190 m, is New Zealand’s only revolving restaurant and completes a full 360° turn every hour.
Hotels and theatre
There are three hotels in the precinct: SkyCity Hotel (opened 1996, around 323 rooms, four-star), The Grand by SkyCity (five-star, opened 2005) and Horizon by SkyCity. The SkyCity Theatre seats roughly 700 people and hosts shows and events. The complex also has a large range of bars and restaurants; menus and opening times change, so use SkyCity’s own listings for current details.
NZICC
The New Zealand International Convention Centre, also known as Te Tumu, is the country’s largest convention centre at 32,500 m², with a 2,850-seat theatre. If there is a major conference or event on, expect busier streets, lifts and car parks across the precinct.
Host responsibility and the 2024 closure
SkyCity runs a host responsibility programme that includes SkyCare Breaks, and it offers both self-exclusion and third-party exclusion through 09 363 6000. Under New Zealand rules, exclusion orders can last up to two years and apply to the specific venue.
In July 2024, SkyCity agreed to close the Auckland casino’s gaming areas for five consecutive days as part of a settlement with the Department of Internal Affairs. The action followed host responsibility failures involving a customer who gambled between 2017 and 2021; the DIA identified 23 incidents of continuous play that were not detected. It was the first voluntary closure of its kind, and media reports estimated the cost at around NZ$5 million in lost income. The case is a useful reminder that venue safeguards exist, but they work best alongside your own limits.
If you or someone close to you is struggling, see our responsible gambling guide or call Gambling Helpline Aotearoa on 0800 654 655.
Planning tips
- Decide your budget before you arrive. Treat it as the cost of an evening out, and leave cards you don’t intend to use at home.
- Bring physical ID, even if you are clearly over 20.
- Plan transport home. The precinct is well served by the SkyDrive airport bus, rideshare and its own large car park. Our directions to SkyCity Auckland cover each option.
- Check event calendars. Theatre shows and NZICC events affect crowds and parking.
- Set a time limit. It is easy to lose track of time on a busy gaming floor, so a phone alarm helps.
- Know the alternatives. If you want to compare SkyCity with other venues in the city centre, see our guide to casino and gaming venues in the Auckland CBD.
Information on this page reflects SkyCity’s published details at the time of writing. Hours, rules and facilities can change, so confirm anything important with the venue before you travel.