SYDNEY, Feb 9 (Reuters) - New Zealand casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group Ltd SKC.NZ said on Thursday its underlying profit slipped 2 percent and revenues from international business suffered following a crackdown on gaming by China.
Normalised or underlying profit fell to NZ$83.7 million ($60.9 million) while revenues dropped over 6 percent to NZ$525.8 million, dragged lower by its international business.
Eighteen employees of Australian rival Crown Resorts CWN.AX were detained for several days by Chinese authorities for alleged gambling crimes late last year. charges were laid against them, but the detentions also hurt SkyCity's ability to attract Asian high-rollers, who had been behind the casino's recent strong performance. = 1.3772 New Zealand dollars)