Aussie/Kiwi casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group says its Asian VIP gambling business has recovered from its year-plus slump.

On Thursday, SkyCity published its fiscal H1 report card, which showed revenue rising 4% to NZ$554.7 (US$400.2m) in the six months ending December 31, 2017. Net income fared better, rising 11.6% to NZ$93.5m.

The company credited the gains to modest growth at its New Zealand properties, stable performance at its Australian casinos, and growth in its so-called International Business (IB), which the rest of the casino world refers to as Chinese gambling whales.

Total IB turnover across all SkyCity properties was up 9.4% to NZ$4.8b, and IB revenue was up an identical percentage to NZ$64.8m. More importantly, IB earnings were up 87% to NZ$14m thanks to win rate coming in at 1.55%, above the theoretical mark of 1.35%.