NEWS Luxury hotel to target punters
A SIX-STAR luxury hotel in Darwin being considered by the Giles Government could include a high-rollers private gaming room.
The NT News has learned at least one bid involves a rooftop gaming room proposal.
Such a move would need the inclusion of SkyCity, the operator of Darwin’s casino.
SkyCity is involved in at least one bid. Four bids were short-listed, however, this has been reduced to three with a local consortium withdrawing.
The Government has been tight-lipped on the shortlist confirming only a decision is likely by July since releasing an expression of interest in August last year.
It has adopted a different approach to the North Australia gas pipeline where it confirmed who the short-listed bidders were.
The inclusion of a high rollers room would fit into the public statements of Skycity who last year confirmed it would chase major punters, known in the industry as “whales”, following tighter visa entries into the Asian gaming hub of Macau.
It is estimated US$44 billion is gambled in Macau each year. Visitors to Las Vegas generate US$6.4 billion in gambling each year.
Last financial year, SkyCity Darwin increased its profit to $38.9 million driven by a 117 per cent increase in international high rollers.
SkyCity Darwin already has two private gaming rooms attached to its accommodation. Last year the NT News was given exclusive access to the rooms, which few knew existed. Chief Minister Adam Giles has said there is a “growing demand” for six-star accommodation in Darwin due to the increased corporate travellers chasing “business investment opportunities.”
“We are chasing low-volume, high-yield travellers rather than high-volume, low-yield travellers,” Mr Giles said at the time. “The level of investment could be greater than $100 million depending upon the location, nature and scale of the development.”
Only 8 per cent of Darwin’s total room stock was categorised as “luxury accommodation”.
A site near the Deckchair Cinema has been proposed as a potential location with unobstructed sea views, however, it is more likely a genuine CBD site will be chosen for construction and access reasons.