Coast is not new Vegas, says premier
IT MIGHT be known as the Glitter Strip, but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she doesn’t want the Gold Coast becoming another Las Vegas.
She was responding to news that gaming giant Caesars Entertainment is looking at opening a casino on the Coast.
The company, which operates the legendary Caesars Palace casino-hotel in Vegas, has been in talks with the Chinese consortium behind a proposed $3 billion integrated resort and casino on the Southport Spit, ASF.
ASF is the State Government’s preferred proponent for a second Coast casino to rival The Star at Broadbeach, which is undergoing a $1 billion upgrade. Speaking on the Gold Coast yesterday, Ms Palaszczuk welcomed Caesars’ interest, but suggested the Glitter Strip was not about to become another Vegas anytime soon.
“There’s only so many casinos we can have on the Gold Coast – I don’t think we need to have this a casino city,” Ms Palaszczuk said. Billionaire James Packer’s Crown Resorts group has previously been linked to the proposed ASF casino.
But ASF officials have revealed they have also held talks with other “world-class” casino operators, including Caesars, which has 50 properties in six countries.