Skip to Main Content
Back to New Releases

Delaware North announces agreement to acquire SKYCITY Darwin Casino and Resort

Global hospitality company seeks to add to its gaming holdings and growing portfolio in Australia

BUFFALO, N.Y., and DARWIN, N.T. (Nov. 7, 2018) – Delaware North, a global hospitality company with leading expertise in the gaming sector through its ownership of casinos and gaming venues, announced it has signed an agreement with SKYCITY Entertainment Group to purchase SKYCITY Darwin, a casino and resort in Australia’s Northern Territory.
 
The purchase agreement is subject to the approval of the Northern Territory Attorney General and Minister for Justice, the Honourable Natasha Fyles MP.
 
SKYCITY Darwin – located on 30 acres of tropical gardens alongside the Arafura Sea – features 600 electronic gaming machines, more than 30 table games, four restaurants, five bars, a beachfront resort, VIP super villas with gaming suites, a day spa and a variety of conference space. The 152-room hotel and resort is Darwin’s only with a five-star rating. 
 
“Australia has been a second home for Delaware North for 30 years,” said Lou Jacobs, co-CEO of Delaware North. “We are thrilled to have grown our business into a diversity of operations across the country, which has been possible because of our incredibly talented and diverse workforce of more than 10,000 people.”
 
“With SKYCITY Darwin, we are expanding our presence in the gaming and entertainment market. We look forward to working with SKYCITY Entertainment Group to welcome their employees at SKYCITY Darwin to the Delaware North family,” Jacobs said.
 
Delaware North’s long history operating in Australia includes:
 

  • Providing food services at most major capital city airports across the country, including Darwin Airport;
  • Proudly serving as the food and hospitality services provider of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne & Olympic Parks since the early 1990s;
  • Delivering food and hospitality services at other iconic sporting locations including the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

 
Earlier this year Delaware North acquired two Brisbane-area pubs and gaming venues (The Shafston Hotel and The Aspley Hotel), expanding the company’s Australia business into the gaming and entertainment industry, which will contribute to its collective think tank of hospitality leadership.
 
In the United Kingdom, Delaware North also operates food service and catering at Wembley Stadium, Emirates Stadium and several other sports venues, as well as at a number of airports.

 
In the United States, Delaware North owns or operates more than 12 casinos and gaming venues and provides food and retail services at professional sports venues, airports and national and state parks. The company also owns and operates more than 25 hotels and other lodging properties. Through its Patina Restaurant Group, Delaware North also operates more than 60 standalone restaurants at high-profile locations such as Rockefeller Center in New York City and Disney in Orlando and Anaheim. 
 
“Delaware North is the ideal buyer of SKYCITY Darwin and is well placed to take the property to the next level. It’s great to be able to pass the baton on an asset SKYCITY has grown and nurtured for 14 years to a company of Delaware North’s standing,” said SKYCITY Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Stephens.