PROPOSALS FOR A SECOND CASINO FOR THE GOLD COAST

The Queensland Government’s new round of requests for a proposal to operate a second Gold Coast casino and resort, with a focus on entertainment rather than gaming, ended on 30 April.  No indication has been given as to who has placed expressions of interest to design, build and operate the precinct but three previous bids have already been rejected and The Star Gold Coast claims extra machines aren’t required.

In March, the Queensland Government announced it will search for a developer to build a second casino on the Gold Coast, with the promise of a swag of new jobs for the rapidly growing city. But the announcement has also alarmed anti-gambling groups. The Star Entertainment Group, which runs the Star Casino at Broadbeach, has said the city’s gaming machine market is already saturated.

What’s been announced?

Tourism Minister Kate Jones opened an expression-of-interest process, allowing companies to put forward proposals for a casino and integrated resort. It would be a $1 billion development and that it had to include several key elements, including “a major Gold Coast concert venue, new entertainment facilities, convention space, high-end dining and retail experience”.

The location for such a venue within the city would be proposed by the organisations applying to build and run it. But the Queensland Government has already ruled out The Southport Spit, a major park north of Surfers Paradise, as well as Wave Break Island in the Southport Broadwater — the sites of the ASF Consortium’s previous failed casino proposal.

The State Government estimated a second casino and resort would create 6,000 local jobs.

Machine numbers are yet to be determined with suggestions that licences will either be an increase by the government or the licences will have to be bought off existing clubs and pubs.

Could Star build the second casino?

The Star Entertainment Group, is free to apply to the State Government’s expression of interest process for a second casino. But Star Entertainment Group Queensland managing director Geoff Hogg said they had already committed to $2 billion expansion plans at their Broadbeach site. The expansion does not include extra poker machines as The Star believe the market around the Gold Coast is already saturated.

For the full story click here>>>> https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-05/second-casino-gold-coast-call-from-queensland-government/10872640

https://www.9news.com.au/national/gold-coast-news-second-casino-government-market-for-operator/409bcfcf-e24a-4640-b2b4-cbac0d893f69