Delaware North receives regulatory approval for new Darwin Casino

Global hospitality company Delaware North has received regulatory approval to proceed with its acquisition of SKYCITY Darwin, announcing plans to rename the popular gaming and entertainment venue and resort.

The official transfer of ownership is expected to take place in early April, at which point the property will be renamed Mindil Beach Casino and Resort as a nod to the west-facing beach on the Arafura Sea that the venue has occupied since the early 1980s.

Delaware North consulted extensively with stakeholders from the Northern Territory Government, the Darwin Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and frequent visitors to the casino in formulating the new name.

Two working groups were established to inform decisions made about the casino’s name and brand execution, with the overwhelming consensus that the physical location of the venue was an essential part of any new name.

Delaware North Managing Director Gary Brown said the name is also synonymous with the casino’s past and that the name Mindil Beach Casino & Resort would have special relevance for original visitors to the popular destination.

Brown advised “this place began its life as Mindil Beach Casino and we think it’s a fitting tribute to the location, the venue and its patrons that we honour its legacy by reverting to the original name, albeit with a subtle adaptation to recognise the resort features that have been introduced over the years

“It was important to capture the feedback of the many groups of people that have an interest in the casino, and we are grateful to the Northern Territory Government, businesses in the area, the Chamber of Commerce and especially our customers for participating in our consultation about the new name.”

The new name will be progressively rolled out across the casino, including a new logo that will feature throughout the building, and on uniforms, vehicles, casino collaterals and other casino and resort marketing assets. The logo, which was also inspired by feedback from stakeholders, incorporates a North-pointing spade from a deck of playing cards, stylised with swaying palms that are synonymous with Darwin and the tropical north.

Brown said Delaware North and Mindil Beach Casino & Resort management will work closely with the Northern Territory Government and tourism officials to ensure there is widespread awareness among the travel and tourism community that Darwin’s casino has a new name.