Star boss shoots up Asian gaming power list
THE man driving a $2 billion Gold Coast casino resort masterplan with seven towers on it has been named one of the most powerful people in the gaming industry in Asia.
Star Entertainment Group managing director and CEO Matt Bekier is the top-ranked Australian casino executive on Inside Asian Gaming’s new Power 50 list, sitting at 15th, up from 20th last year.
Mr Bekier beat Sydney’s Tabcorp CEO David Attenborough (ranked 25) and rival Crown executive chairman John Alexander (ranked 27).
Crown’s James Packer who was 12th in 2017 didn’t feature this year after stepping down from the board. Gaming sector experts spend months ranking candidates to finalise the list.
The panel gave significant weight to Star’s megabucks investment in its South-East Queensland operations.
On the Gold Coast, the State Government has recently approved its Broadbeach Island masterplan which will eventually be home to seven towers with 50 bars and restaurants by about 2030.
Star is investing $3.5 billion with Hong Kong partner Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium in Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf Development.
Inside Asian Gaming’s justification of Mr Bekier in top spot at 15 notes he led Star to overtake rival Crown as Australia’s leading VIP operator.
He was also instrumental in partnerships with Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium to conque the lucrative Chinese gaming market.
It cited Star’s aggressive expansion of late including Star Gold Coast launching luxury suite hotel The Darling in the Broadbeach site’s recent $850 million redevelopment.
Star Gold Coast’s third tower which will be home to a Dorsett hotel, hugely popular in Asia, is underway.
Star has plans to put a new tower up at its Broadbeach Island every two years.