Jason Walbridge: Chief Executive Officer, SkyCity Entertainment Group

Jason Walbridge is the Chief Executive Officer of SkyCity Entertainment Group, the dual-listed casino operator on the NZX and ASX. He started the role in July 2024, after an extensive international search. The search ended with a New Zealand native returning home after more than two decades overseas. Walbridge spent 18 years at Aristocrat Leisure and later led gaming technology firms in Las Vegas.

He took charge of SkyCity weeks after the company settled a AU$67 million money-laundering penalty with Australia’s financial crimes regulator. That timing made the appointment about more than a change of leadership. The board needed someone who could rebuild trust with regulators in two countries. Walbridge holds an MBA in international management from the Auckland Institute of Studies.

Jason Walbridge’s Career Timeline at SkyCity Entertainment Group

Walbridge built more than two decades of gaming industry experience before joining SkyCity. Most of it came in senior operating roles across Australasia and the United States.

• Early 1990s – Serves five years in the New Zealand Army, rising to lieutenant in the armoured division. He completes an overseas deployment during this time.
• 1996-1998 – Completes an MBA in international business at the Auckland Institute of Studies after leaving the Army.
• Late 1990s – Takes a consulting role at Ernst & Young before moving into the casino industry.
• Late 1990s-2001 – Works as a business services manager at Aristocrat Leisure in Auckland. One of his clients at the time is SkyCity.
• 2001-2015 – Moves to Las Vegas and holds a series of senior roles at Aristocrat. His titles include Chief Supply Officer and Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
• 2016-2018 – Serves as Chief Operating Officer of NYX Gaming Group. He continues in the same role at SG Digital after Scientific Games, later renamed Light & Wonder, acquires NYX.
• 2018-2024 – Works as a strategic advisor to gaming companies, including on Aristocrat’s proposed acquisition of NeoGames. He also serves as Executive Chairman of National Entertainment Network, the largest US amusement route operator.
• 17 April 2024 – SkyCity announces Walbridge’s appointment as CEO after an international search. Interim CEO Callum Mallett continues in the role until Walbridge starts.
• 15 July 2024 – Commences as SkyCity CEO, moving back to New Zealand. He had spent most of the prior 23 years working in Las Vegas.

Walbridge’s return to New Zealand was also a family move. He relocated with his wife, Liisa, and their two daughters, who went on to study at university in New Zealand.

Why Jason Walbridge’s Appointment Matters

Walbridge arrived at a moment when SkyCity needed a credible outsider to steady both its finances and its regulatory standing.

• Walbridge replaced Michael Ahearne, who had left the company months earlier, following an interim period led by Callum Mallett.
• The CEO change coincided with a wider leadership reset. Julie Amey resigned as CFO and Peter Fredricson joined in the role weeks after Walbridge started.
• SkyCity had also just suspended dividends through 2025, citing financial pressure and regulatory costs.

The turnaround remains a work in progress. By FY26, SkyCity’s underlying profit had fallen sharply. The company also announced plans to cut 200 to 250 jobs, mostly in Auckland. Walbridge has also opened a strategic review of the Adelaide casino, with a sale one of the options under consideration.

Regulatory Context Facing Jason Walbridge

SkyCity’s regulatory record shaped Walbridge’s first two years in the role more than almost anything else.

• June 2024 – SkyCity Adelaide admits breaches of Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act. The Federal Court approves a AU$67 million civil penalty with AUSTRAC.
• August 2025 – An independent review led by retired judge Brian Martin examines SkyCity Adelaide’s governance. It finds the board failed to exercise basic powers for years before 2021. The report also finds the casino suitable to keep its licence, based on reforms made since 2024.
• June 2026 – SkyCity reaches an in-principle A$21 million settlement with South Australia’s gambling regulator, closing the Martin review. The deal requires a majority-independent Adelaide board by January 2028 and an independent compliance auditor.
• 2025-2026 – SkyCity completes the rollout of mandatory carded play across its New Zealand casinos. The company says the added compliance costs weighed on gaming revenue.

The regulatory overhang has eased but not disappeared. SkyCity Adelaide still has to appoint a majority-independent board and complete its compliance programme by 2027-2028. Mandatory carded play is also due to begin at Adelaide in December 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jason Walbridge

Who is Jason Walbridge, CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group?

Jason Walbridge is the Chief Executive Officer of SkyCity Entertainment Group. SkyCity is the NZX and ASX-listed operator behind casinos in Auckland, Hamilton, Queenstown and Adelaide. Walbridge started the role in July 2024 after more than two decades in senior gaming roles. That includes 18 years at Aristocrat Leisure. He holds an MBA in international management from the Auckland Institute of Studies.

How did Jason Walbridge become CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group?

SkyCity’s board appointed Walbridge in April 2024 after an extensive international search. He succeeded Michael Ahearne, with Callum Mallett serving as interim CEO in between. Walbridge moved back to New Zealand from Las Vegas to start the role, taking over in July 2024. The appointment came weeks after SkyCity’s AU$67 million AUSTRAC settlement, adding pressure to rebuild regulatory trust.

What regulatory issues has Jason Walbridge had to manage at SkyCity?

Walbridge took over just after SkyCity Adelaide admitted breaches of Australia’s anti-money laundering laws. The Federal Court had approved a AU$67 million penalty with AUSTRAC in June 2024. Under Walbridge, SkyCity later settled a separate South Australian regulatory review for A$21 million in 2026. That deal requires a majority-independent Adelaide board and an independent compliance auditor by 2027-2028.

What was Jason Walbridge’s career before SkyCity?

Walbridge spent 18 years at Aristocrat Leisure in roles across Australasia and the United States. These included Chief Supply Officer and Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He later served as Chief Operating Officer at NYX Gaming Group and SG Digital. Before SkyCity, he was Executive Chairman of National Entertainment Network and an advisor to Aristocrat.

Is SkyCity Adelaide’s casino licence still at risk under Jason Walbridge?

No, SkyCity Adelaide retained its casino licence. South Australia’s regulator confirmed this in August 2025, after finding the casino suitable despite past failings. SkyCity still must meet ongoing conditions, including a majority-independent board by January 2028. Walbridge has also opened a strategic review of the Adelaide business, with a possible sale under consideration.

This profile appears on CrazyVegas AU, as part of our gambling executive profiles series.

Gambling Executive Sources

Career timeline

• Business Hub: New SkyCity chief executive Jason Walbridge, back after 23 years in Las Vegas – NZ Herald
• Appointment of Chief Executive Officer – NZX Market Release

Why this appointment matters

• Former Aristocrat executive Jason Walbridge officially starts as new SkyCity CEO – IAG
• SkyCity to cut 200 to 250 jobs, mainly in Auckland, ponders Adelaide sale – NZ Herald

Regulatory context

• Federal Court of Australia approves SkyCity-AUSTRAC civil penalty agreement – iGaming Business
• SkyCity Adelaide fined $21 million for ‘completely unacceptable’ failings – ABC News
• SkyCity Entertainment Starts Strategic Review of Adelaide Casino – Bloomberg

Background

• SkyCity Appoints Jason Walbridge As New CEO – Scoop News