SECOND CASINO PUSH

Casino giants line up

CASINO kingpins are sizing up a potential all-in play for a second casino on the Gold Coast.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones will canvas gaming bosses during a trip to Las Vegas in the coming weeks while senior government officials will meet operators in Macau. A second casino would add a further 2500 poker machines to the city.

GLOBAL casino giants are lining up to put their chips all-in on the Gold Coast, with Tourism Minister Kate Jones set to meet representatives from more than 10 proponents over the next month.

Ms Jones will visit Las Vegas and senior department heads will travel to Macau to meet with the likes of MGM Grand and Caesar’s Entertainment to discuss their proposals for a “global tourism hub” for Queensland, with keen interest being shown in the Gold Coast by proponents.

Currently, only the Gold Coast and Cairns have casino licences available.

It is understood the State Government will only hand a licence to a proposal that includes extensive accommodation, dining, shopping, entertainment and gaming facilities, similar to that of entertainment mecca Las Vegas where resorts turn over billions of dollars each year.

Ms Jones said the shift towards building global tourism hubs ensured the best possible outcome for locals and tourists alike.

“In coming years it’s crucial that we work with the private sector to create more tourism attractions to boost Queensland’s visitor market,” she said.

“Transformative infrastructure like global tourism hubs in important destinations like the Gold Coast will help to boost this sector.

“I have been approached by some of the world’s most successful entertainment companies keen to invest in Queensland. But we’re working to make sure we get the balance right.”

Star Entertainment is lobbying hard to prevent any new competitors from entering the space on the Gold Coast and are developing a proposal of their own to take out the spare license.

IN COMING YEARS IT’S CRUCIAL THAT WE WORK WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO CREATE MORE TOURISM ATTRACTIONS TO BOOST QUEENSLAND’S VISITOR MARKET MINISTER KATE JONES

Star has pointed out that a new casino would likely add another 2500 extra poker machines to the Coast.

It is understood that the city’s clubs, which are reliant on pokie revenue, are also vehemently opposed to a new casino.

It comes as Star recently completed a $345 million upgrade of its existing hotel and casino in an attempt to fend off potential rivals.

MGM this year opened a new $US3.4 billion resort in Macau which focuses on family-oriented tourism instead of high end gambling.