The Casino That Has Been Declared an Earthquake-Prone Building
The news surprised many, but not everyone: the building of one of New Zealand’s most famous casinos has received the lowest possible seismic safety rating. We are in Christchurch, and the decision was made by the Christchurch City Council, which classified the local casino as a “very high-risk” structure in the event of an earthquake. As 2011 proved, earthquakes can hit hard in this area, so no danger should be underestimated or overlooked.
The Christchurch Casino is a landmark in the city’s entertainment scene and has long been a hub for locals and tourists alike. Opened in 1994 as New Zealand’s first casino, it has become a symbol of the city’s resilience, especially after the devastating earthquakes that struck over a decade ago. In this article, we will try to learn more about the current situation and whether the future of this casino looks bright.
Here are the topics we will tackle:
- What prompted the decision of the Christchurch City Council
- What is going to happen now
- What are some other notable cases of earthquake-prone casino buildings
- Potential steps the Christchurch Casino will have to take
- The future of Christchurch and its casino
The Worrying Decision of the Council
The Christchurch City Council’s declaration that the casino is earthquake-prone followed a rigorous assessment process. The building was rated between 0 and 20% NBS, the National Building Standard. This is the lowest possible score, indicating significant structural vulnerabilities that must be addressed urgently.
Under the NBS system, any rating below 34% classifies a building as earthquake-prone, while a score below 20% places it in the “very high risk” category. Buildings in this category have 25 times the risk of failure compared to those that meet 100%. For the Christchurch Casino, this means critical weaknesses in its foundation, load-bearing walls, or other structural elements that could pose a serious threat in the event of an earthquake.
As a priority building in a high seismic risk area, the casino has been given seven and a half years to complete necessary upgrades, which is half the usual timeframe. The online casino owners, Skyline Enterprises, must strengthen the structure by February 2032 or face significant penalties, including fines or forced closure.
This decision underscores the importance of proactive building maintenance in earthquake-prone regions like Christchurch, where the 2011 earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers.
The Consequences of The Decision
The consequences for a casino deemed earthquake-prone can be many, and what is happening in Christchurch is proof of this. First of all, as of January 2025, the casino has already begun structural strengthening work, with the project expected to span multiple areas of the building, including the basement, the car park, gaming floors, and VIP areas.
The casino will remain open throughout this period, but this does not mean there will be no major economic consequences. The cost of seismic upgrades is likely to be substantial, as they require significant investment in materials, labour, and engineering expertise. We do not know this cost at the moment, but we know that similar projects in New Zealand have cost tens of millions of dollars.
Another consequence that should not be underestimated is reputation. Being considered a risky casino can discourage regular visitors: why would they take risks in the event of an earthquake?
Notable Cases of Earthquake-Prone Casinos Around the World
When dealing with new problems, looking to the past to understand how they were solved in other contexts can be useful. So, other than that in Christchurch, whose casino has been declared an earthquake-prone building by their council? As far as we know, none. However, there are two interesting cases that we can take into account here:
- The Venetian in Macau
- Casinò di Venezia in Venice
Following a major Macau earthquake in 2008, the Venetian underwent extensive retrofitting to meet updated safety standards. The process was expensive, but the casino managed to preserve its reputation as a safe and luxurious destination and continues attracting visitors worldwide.
From the Venetian we move to the actual city of Venice. There, stands the Casino di Venezia, one of the oldest casinos in the world. Due to its age and its position in a seismically active region, its building faced unique structural challenges. Luckily, innovative engineering solutions allowed the casino to remain operational while preserving its cultural heritage.
These examples show that while seismic upgrades can be costly and complex, they are essential for ensuring the safety of visitors and for allowing leading casinos to continue to play an important role in the world’s gambling panorama.
Steps the Casino Could Take to Mitigate Risks
In light of the above, there are many measures Christchurch could and should take to mitigate the structural and image damage and rebuild its reputation. The first is renovation and retrofitting, which began in early 2025. At this point, a strengthening programme is the most likely course of action. It would involve reinforcing walls, upgrading foundations, and installing seismic dampers to reduce the impact of earthquakes. Retrofitting allows the casino to remain operational during upgrades, minimising disruption to business.
Although this was the route taken, the option of demolishing and rebuilding was also initially suggested. However, this would have meant closing down for a long time, and the financial damage would have been too great. Moreover, it would have required careful planning to ensure the new building meets modern safety standards while retaining the casino’s unique character.
As we have seen, reputation is another possible damage. To take cover, the Christchurch Casino has already launched a transparent communication campaign, explaining in full what the risks are and what measures it is taking to nullify them. So far, it seems, the rebuilding trust attempt is working.
What Do The Experts Say
We have contacted structural engineering experts to explain the situation better and help us determine whether visiting the Christchurch casino is safe. “A low NBS rating does not necessarily mean the building is unsafe for immediate use,” one of them told us. “However, making the upgrades timely is crucial to mitigate long-term risks. After all, if the situation was that dangerous right now, the authorities would have closed it right away.”
Steffan Thomas, head of building consenting at the Christchurch City Council, confirmed this. “The earthquake-prone status was determined following a report from structural engineers,” he said, “but the building can remain open. We are happy to see the Christchurch Casino management reacted positively and is doing all that is in their power to put the necessary safety measures in place.”
We also tried to contact Skyline Entertainment, which owns the Christchurch Casino, but with no result. We understand the need for press silence, but we think that transparency is also essential.
The Importance of The Casino in Christchurch: A Reflection on The Future
Christchurch, whose casino has been declared an earthquake prone building by their council, has been facing several changes over the past decade. The earthquake that hit the city in 2011 killed 185 people and damaged several buildings and infrastructure. This tragic event served as a wake-up call, prompting a series of interventions to improve safety in case of future earthquakes.
We are in an earthquake-prone area, so it is right to prevent as much as possible. The city’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its buildings and infrastructure reflect a commitment to learning from the past and protecting its future.
In this city, the casino is a key asset. It was the first casino to open in New Zealand in 1994, and with 450 slot machines and 32 table games inside, it has become a cornerstone of the local economy. Beyond its economic contributions, the casino holds cultural significance as a gathering place for locals and a destination for tourists. Its closure or failure to meet safety standards would impact the city’s revenue and diminish a vital part of its identity.