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Three Decades of Christchurch Casino

On November 4th, 1994, Christchurch Casino opened its doors, and for the past 30 years, we have proudly offered world-class entertainment, gaming, and dining, while supporting Christchurch, its people, teams, and events. We’re celebrating this milestone throughout the month of November with over $100,000 in cash and prizes – come and join the excitement! Thank you for being a part of our journey, we look forward to many more years of bringing winning smiles to you and our community. Get ready for a November to remember!

$10K Cash Giveaway - Every Saturday

It’s our birthday, but the gifts are all for you! One person will win $10,000 cash every Saturday in November to celebrate our 30th anniversary. To enter, simply grab a free wristband from 5pm at the main gaming floor entrance. We’ll announce 5 finalists on the hour from 6pm-10pm before doing a major draw after 10pm to reveal the $10K winner!

Colossus is back!

We’re bringing back a crowd favourite for our birthday! Play our Colossus ‘Pop That Pinata’ game for the chance to win up to $100 Casino Dollars instantly, plus automatically go into the draw to win fantastic weekly prizes.

It might be our birthday, but you’re the one getting the presents! Look at the fantastic selection of prizes our weekly Colossus winners can choose from!

  • A three-night package at The Cottages at Lake Hayes, Queenstown
  • A Breville Oracle coffee machine
  • An Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB
  • A Ballantynes fashion stylist shopping spree
  • A 0.5 carat diamond ring in 14kt white gold
  • A Merida Espresso City 300 SE EQ E-Bike
  • A Samsung 55” frame 4K smart TV

To unlock your Colossus game, just earn 5 Base Points when playing any gaming machine or table game any day during November.

Terms & Conditions: Colossus games are limited to one game per member per day. All games must be played on the day they were earned and do not carry over to subsequent days. Base Points accrual towards any Colossus game do not carry over to subsequent days. Not all Colossus games result in a win. Weekly draw winner will be contacted on Thursdays.

Wristband Fridays - $5,000 Cash Up For Grabs!

Wristband Fridays returns! We’ve got 5x prizes of $1,000 cash up for grabs every Friday night in November.

Being into win is super easy:

  • Collect your free-to-enter wristband from 5pm
  • Stay tuned to hear your wristband number called in our hourly draws, 6pm till 10pm.

Winners must be present.

Our History

30 Victoria Street Christchurch – home to Christchurch Casino, New Zealand’s first fully licensed casino. The Casino officially opened to the public on Friday, 4th November 1994, following an exclusive gala event on 3rd November.

Architects Warren & Mahoney were commissioned to design the iconic 43, 998 square-foot Christchurch Casino complex. After a three-year construction phase, supported by C. Lund & Son Ltd the Casino was finally completed, marking a new chapter in Christchurch’s entertainment scene. The opening brought over 400 career opportunities, purchases from local suppliers, and established the city as a premier destination for gaming and entertainment.

Over the years, Christchurch Casino has faced its challenges, particularly in the wake of the February 22nd, 2011 earthquake, which struck the heart of the city. With the Casino located in the central business district, it was forced to close temporarily, as it fell within the city’s red zone. However, the Casino’s reopening on 26th May 2011 symbolised a positive step toward the city’s recovery, once again bringing a vibrant entertainment venue back to central Christchurch.

Constantly evolving to meet market demands, the Casino has seen its share of transformations. Restaurants and bars have come and gone – from Caesars to what is now Monza Sports Bar, and the evolution of the The Café, once known as the iconic Grand Café which featured handcrafted murals and buffet-style dining. Today, it offers a causal, contemporary dining space with a range of food offerings, from Asian fusion to Kiwi classics.

The opening of Mashina Lounge in 2013 marked a new era for Christchurch nightlife. Later transformed into Sixtey6, an event venue, this space now serves as a dedicated area for our employees, featuring a staff room, offices, training rooms, and a kitchen. Today, Christchurch Casino operates four unique dining and entertainment venues, each with its own distinct vibe.

In 30 years, Christchurch Casino has contributed over $5.9 million to the community through our charitable trust, invested $11.7 million in sponsorships, welcomed over 24.5 million guests, and employed over 4,300 people from New Zealand and abroad. Eight team members are celebrating 30 years of service with us. As we enter our 31st year, Christchurch Casino remains committed to entertaining, celebrating, and supporting the people of Christchurch and Canterbury.