SkyCity Entertainment Group, who own or has interests in five casinos in New Zealand and two in Australia, has reported a net profit of NZ$78.8 million for the six month period to December 2011 compared to the previous year.

Revealed on ASX today, the company declared a dividend of 9.0 cents per share which is up from last year at 8.0 cents.  Shares in SkyCity closed on Tuesday at NZ$3.64, a six month high.

The group’s flagship Auckland casino and hotel complex first-half profit jumped 17 per cent on improved earnings lifted partly from the Rugby World Cup and a turnaround in gaming revenue. 

SkyCity spent $50 million revamping its Auckland operations, including new VIP gaming facilities.  Non-gaming revenue from hotel, restaurants, the Sky Tower, conventions and parking, rose about 23 percent.  Talks are continuing with the government and SkyCity over the construction of a National Convention centre.

In Australia, the company's Adelaide casino lifted sales by 6.9 percent to A$82.6 million and SkyCity Darwin revenue growth was just 0.2 percent to A$63.6 million.