SKYCITY appoints General Manager of Adelaide Casino

SKYCITY Entertainment Group has announced the appointment of Luke Walker as General Manager of its Adelaide Casino.

Announcing the appointment today, SKYCITY Entertainment Group Interim Chief Executive John Mortensen said he was delighted Mr Walker had agreed to make the move to South Australia at what was a vital phase in Adelaide Casino’s future growth.

“Luke has tremendous experience and success in the Australian gaming and entertainment market, including an extensive background in Electronic Gaming Machines, which is a key area of challenge for us in the Adelaide market,” says Mr Mortensen.

Luke joined SKYCITY in February 2017 and oversees the operation of its second largest property in Adelaide.

Luke has almost 20 years experience in senior executive positions – including CEO and COO – in the casino, and broader hospitality industries, both in single and multi-site venues, spanning multiple markets. 

His most recent role was that of Executive General Manager – Gaming Machines at Crown Melbourne, where he was also a member of the Senior Executive Team.

“Luke’s background in both casinos at Crown and Star and in the highly competitive pubs and clubs sector gives him real insight in the market and provides SKYCITY with the skillset and experience to take Adelaide Casino forward into a period of unprecedented growth at the property,’’ Mr Mortensen says.

Mr Walker’s background includes multi-site venues, merger and acquisitions, leading organisational change, strategic planning and significant engagement with stakeholders at various levels, from board level to external government bodies and communities.

Before joining Crown in 2014 Mr Walker was chief executive of Wests Leagues Club Group (Illawarra). He was also the General Manager of Parramatta Leagues Club and has held a number of senior roles at Panthers Group, which controlled 14 clubs across New South Wales.  He was also previously Operations Manager Electronic Gaming at Star City.

Mr Walker says he is excited at the opportunities presented by his new role of General Manager at Adelaide Casino.

“Adelaide Casino is a great property with great gaming product and quality bars and restaurants, housed in an amazing building, the city’s beautiful railway station. It has an enviable location by the Torrens River just across from the famous Adelaide Oval.

“Adelaide Casino is also poised for major redevelopment, including the expansion of the casino and the addition of a 6-star hotel, which should provide a springboard for strong growth at the property. I’m very excited to be a part of it,’’ says Mr Walker.

Mr Walker’s official start date at Adelaide Casino is 1 May 2017.