Supplier News
Australia – Victoria investor ‘floats’ idea for rival to Crown’s Melbourne casino
By Phil - 30 October 2015
The Victorian state government is listening to plans from casino developer John Haddad who wants to develop a A$1bn casino, the second within the state, on the Geelong waterfront.
Current legislation restricts casino gambling to one property; Crown Resorts in Melbourne, who has recently had its gaming licence extended from 2033 to 2050 with the addition of 128 extra poker machines and 40 gaming tables in exchange for A$910m in taxes.
The government is believed to have refused a request by Crown for an exclusive licence in Victoria.
The current climate in Australia is open to casino expansion. Governments in Queensland and New South Wales have agreed to issue new licences for large casinos to boost local economies and tap into Chinese VIP casino spend.
Mr Haddad though said it was ‘too early’ to discuss his casino project, adding only that Geelong would be a ‘superb place for a second casino.’
Victoria’s Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming, and Liquor Regulation, Jane Garrett, has reportedly held discussions with Mr. Haddad for a venue close to the Avalon Airport.
She said: “There are no plans for a casino in Geelong. There has been an idea floated by a private operator and he has been referred to the normal processes at the department of treasury and finance. If a second casino was to ever to be built, there would have to be a huge amount of work done, a huge amount of community consultation, none of that is taking place. At this point it just so beyond hypothetical, it is such a thought bubble.”
