Operator News
Australia – Queensland Tourism Minister tasked with fact-finding mission in Macau and Las Vegas
By Phil - 23 May 2018
Integrated casinos are back on the cards in Queensland with Tourism Minister Kate Jones expected to take a team of government executives on a tour of the world’s biggest casino operators.
Government officials will fly to Las Vegas and Macau to hold discussions and view properties owned by operators such as MGM Grand and Caesar’s Entertainment.
The Queensland government is considering issuing licences for large scale casinos in Cairns and on the Gold Coast.
Minister Kate Jones said: “Our strategy is all based around attracting more visitors who stay longer and spend more in Queensland to create jobs for locals. 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 for Queenslanders.”
Caesars President of International Development Steven Tight is known to have led a delegation in April for discussions with Mayor Tom Tate.
Mayor Tate said recently: “This will broaden our economy.”
Caesars has already had its wings clipped in Queensland though. In August 2017, it was named as the likely operating force behind ASF Consortium’s A$3bn casino resort planned for Southport Spit on Australia’s Gold Coast. However Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pulled the plug on the project.
The Queensland government did state last year that it would launch a ‘worldwide expression of interest’ campaign to choose a developer although so far nothing has materialised.
