New Zealand casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group will reopen its three domestic properties on Thursday (14) after getting the all-clear from the government.

On Tuesday (local time), SkyCity announced that the government would be downgrading to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 as of Thursday, clearing the way for SkyCity to reopen its casinos in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown under its new Health Management Framework.

To keep a lid on crowd numbers during the reopening frenzy, SkyCity has essentially developed a ‘no riff-raff’ policy for the first few days. For example, the Auckland casino will only be accessible by SkyCity Premier Rewards Gold, Platinum and Black members until Sunday afternoon, after which all Premier Rewards Members will be allowed in.

SkyCity Hamilton, which does about one-tenth the business of Auckland, is taking a slightly more egalitarian approach, allowing Platinum and Black members exclusive access only from midday Thursday to 4pm, after which the hoi-polloi will be allowed to sully the place with their presence. The Queenstown venue, which barely does any business and therefore can’t afford to discriminate, is apparently open to all Rewards members from the get-go.