Skycity Darwin

Skycity Darwin
Address Gilruth Avenue, Mindil Beach, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Opening date 1983
Number of rooms 117
Casino type Land-based
Owner Skycity Entertainment Group
Previous names Mindil Beach Casino
Diamond Beach Hotel and Casino
MGM Grand Darwin
Website skycitydarwin.com.au

Skycity Darwin is a casino in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. It is the only casino in Darwin.

History

The casino was originally granted a licence in 1979 and opened at its current premises in 1983 as the Mindil Beach Casino.[1][2] In 1984, the territorial government forcibly acquired it, along with the Alice Springs Casino, from Federal Hotels for $50 million.[3] A joint venture between Greate Bay Casino Corp. (owner of the Sands Atlantic City) and Aspinall Holdings (a British casino operator) was set up to operate the two casinos.[4] The Mindil Beach Casino was renamed as the Diamond Beach Hotel and Casino. Aspinall bought out Greate Bay's interest for US$1 million in 1986,[5] and then acquired the territorial government's 17 percent interest for $5 million in 1987.[3]

In 1995, MGM Grand acquired the property for US$75 million, including US$13 million of assumed debt.[6] It was renamed as the MGM Grand Darwin. The Skycity Entertainment Group purchased the hotel in 2004 for $195 million and took ownership on 23 July 2004.[7]

References

  1. "Skycity Confirms MGM Grand Darwin Acquisition". 2004-02-11. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  2. "Darwin casino celebrates 25th anniversary on Mindil Beach" (Press release). Skycity. 18 April 2008. Retrieved 2012-11-16.
  3. 1 2 "Govt cashes its chips in casino at Darwin". Sydney Morning Herald. 2 February 1987.
  4. Bivens, Terry (4 October 1984). "Greate Bay venturing down under". Philadelphia Inquirer.   via NewsBank (subscription required)
  5. "Pratt Hotel Corp. sells hotel interests for $1 million". Dow Jones News Service. 20 October 1986.   via Factiva (subscription required)
  6. "Gambling concern acquires Australian casino, hotel". Wall Street Journal. 8 September 1995.   via Factiva (subscription required)
  7. "Skycity Darwin Joins Skycity Entertainment Group". 2004-07-23. Retrieved 2008-01-15.

External links

Coordinates: 12°26′52″S 130°49′50″E / 12.447808°S 130.830667°E / -12.447808; 130.830667

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