Let's Play Live Call of Duty Infinite Warfare Premiership competition at SkyCity Theatre in December last year.

SkyCity is launching into competitive "e-sport" gaming, a trend sweeping the world.



The casino and entertainment company has formed a joint venture with Let's Play Live.



SkyCity has taken a 40 per cent stake in Let's Play Live Media (LPLM), which will see development of the country's first purpose-built e-sports broadcasting studio, which will open on Level 2 of the Sky Tower, formerly known as XO Bar, this summer.



​E-sports gaming, where professional and amateur players pit their skills against rivals, will be broadcast for people in the casino concourse to watch, chief executive Graeme Stephens told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting in Auckland on Friday.

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Sonya Crosby, SkyCity's chief innovation officer, said: "Globally, e-sports is growing at a rapid rate and has a large and diverse audience, young and old, male and female, and people from all walks of life. We're looking into the future and, as an entertainment technology company, we feel this is an exciting new area to explore."

LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff Stuff asks new SkyCity Ceo, Graeme Stephens, what the future looks like.

The studio will deliver live 4K and HD broadcasts, and allow LPLM to film live e-sports events held at SkyCity Theatre and the New Zealand International Convention Centre Theatre, when it is opened.

There will be dedicated console booths within the studio which will host e-sports competitions and livestream to a giant external LED screen in the SkyCity Plaza at the base of the Sky Tower.

The partnership would see special family-friendly events held at SkyCity sites in New Zealand and Australia.

STUFF SkyCity's convention centre is delayed, but remains a key part of its expansion and diversification plans.

And, Crosby said the E Blacks, managed by LPLM, would promote New Zealand's best e-sports players on the world stage and will provide a professional pathway for the grass roots talent developed through local tournaments.

Worldwide, e-sports are watched by estimated an estimated 385 million people each year.

The e-sports announcement was an upbeat moment following a tough year to the end of June for SkyCity thanks to traffic disruption near its Auckland casino, a slow-down in high-roller business, and weak trading conditions in Australia.

SKYCITY Artist's impression of the Auckland SkyCity International Convention Centre from Hobson Street.

This caused net profit after tax to fall 69 per cent to $44.9 million for the year to June 30, as revenue dipped 7 per cent to $1.02 billion.

It also suffered a setback with the delay to the completion of its International Conference Centre (ICC) in Auckland, now expected to be completed mid-2019.

Stephens said the ICC and the development of the Adelaide casino were its two key transformational projects.

SUPPLIED Graeme Stephens shares a hongi with Taiaha Hawke of Ngati Whatua at a powhiri in May.

Already eight major conferences had booked at the ICC, shareholders heard.

It was the first time Stephens had addressed shareholders since he joined the group in May.

He was conducting a review of strategy to make sure SkyCity continued to grow in a period of rapid change in gaming.

Hamilton casino was developing well, but thought was being given to developing its "immaterial" Queenstown operation.

Stephens said SkyCity was also working on its plans of the newly-purchased AA Centre near its Auckland casino, including finding a development partner.

Around 70 per cent of SkyCity shares are owned by institutional investors, including KiwiSaver schemes.

Most KiwiSavers own a bit of SkyCity, unless they have chosen an ethical fund which avoids investing in gambling stocks. Large Kiwisaver growth funds may hold around 35 cents in every $100 they have invested in SkyCity.

While SkyCity maintained a strong dividend of 20 cents per share, directors were challenged on its share price performance.

Shares are currently trading at $3.76. In August last year, they hit a high of $5.17.