Sky City Hamilton casino expands

Sky City is enlarging its Riverside casino in Hamilton to include a conference centre able to cater for 240 people.

Sky City chairman Evan Davies said in a statement today that the two-room conference centre, including new catering facilities, was expected to open for business around Easter 2004.

The new facilities would add another five full time equivalent positions to the Sky Riverside payroll.

Opened in mid-September, the Hamilton casino contributed $7.8 million to earnings, and $1.7 million to earnings before interest and tax, to Sky City's December half-year result.

From this month the casino will open its gaming floors up to 20 hours a day from to cater to customers wanting to gamble longer.

Sky City shares closed on Friday at $9.20.

- NZPA