A second casino on the Gold Coast is back on the books after the Queensland Government announced its support over the weekend.
Less than three months after rejecting a proposal by China’s ASF consortium to build an AU$3 billion integrated resort to rival The Star Gold Coast, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has informed Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate confirming she supports construction of a second casino with the government set to seek expressions of interest from operators worldwide.
“The Palaszczuk Government is currently considering the next steps for the integrated resort development process for the Gold Coast,” Ms Palaszczuk told local media.
“The Queensland Government has been clear that its decision to terminate the ASF Consortium proposal for the Gold Coast Spit does not rule out a future Integrated Resort Development on the Gold Coast.”
Mayor Tate had originally written to the Premier requesting her consideration to build a second casino on a site in Southport which is currently home to parkland, a tennis club and a bowls club. He has since scrapped that idea after community backlash with a number of new sites now open for discussion.
“I don’t believe in a monopoly,” Mr Tate said of his latest push for a second Gold Coast casino.
“Council will withdraw its [Southport] proposal to ensure everyone has an even playing field and we’ll have a look and test the market to see who’s got the best option for the city.
“When you put that together initially, you’re trying to go ‘well this will activate our CBD’. I’d say to everyone now. to give certainty to the bowls club and tennis club, that it’s opened up to the whole of the city and that site is no longer necessary.”
Premier Palaszczuk added that, “At this stage, the government has no preferred site for an integrated resort on the Gold Coast and any decision would be made in the best interests of the state and the Gold Coast.”
It is not yet known whether the ASF consortium, which was linked to US casino giant Caesars Entertainment, will be considered if it launches a new bid.
