Community News

The Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust’s second allocation for the year will give community groups throughout Otago an early Christmas present.

Dunedin's casino has celebrated 25 years of operation and expects to hear news soon about its application to run for another 15.

It was on October 6, 1999 that the doors were opened, and the public was first welcomed into the Grand Casino Dunedin. While much has changed over the quarter century since, the Grand Casino team are still loving the opportunity to offer visitors a great time with excellent entertainment.

A quarter of a century ago a licence was granted allowing a casino in Dunedin, and it is now up for a renewal for the first time. The 25-year licence was initially granted on 17 February 1999, with the casino opening its doors to the public on 6 October that year.

Dunedin city councillor Andrew Whiley wants the Grand Casino in Dunedin to be allowed to continue. He made a submission "as a Dunedin citizen" to the New Zealand Gambling Commission about the casino’s licence. 

Community groups throughout Otago have received an early Christmas gift, thanks to Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust’s second allocation for 2023. Thirty-eight groups benefited from donations totalling $71,000 – increasing the trust’s total donations of more than $4 million since 1999.

Grand Casino CEO Dominique Dowding has been appointed incoming chairwoman of the Business South board.

The Grand Business South Awards — the southern region’s premier celebration of business excellence — were presented at a gala dinner at the Edgar Centre.

Southern business excellence was celebrated yesterday as the finalists in the Grand Business South Awards were revealed at a function at Fable Dunedin.