Inside Asian Gaming

IAG AUG 2019年8月 亞博匯 26 market with 1.3 million visitors per year, it is estimated that number will triple by 2027 to 3.9 million of which the Gold Coast wants a bigger slice. However, “the share of this increased tourism to Queensland is not guaranteed,” according to a Queensland government spokesman. “The Chinese demand high quality branded facilities and unique experiences. The Gold Coast must change to meet target market expectations, to protect its market share and to capitalize on this opportunity.” When the second casino concept was first proposed by the former Liberal government back in 2012, the idea was to attract private sector money to deliver a massive AU$7.5 billion development centered around a new cruise ship terminal at an idyllic location known as The Spit, plus hotels, a marina, retail, entertainment, hospitality, public space and recreation facilities. A gaming license was dangled as a potential carrot if the winning bidder met all necessary environmental, planning and regulatory approvals. Chinese-backed ASF Group was ultimately named as preferred developer in 2014, giving it first right to come up with a suitable design, but those plans changed after the 2015 state elections with the opposition Labor Party sweeping into power and quickly terminating the cruise terminal concept. A revised AU$3 billion casino-resort proposal from ASF was also rejected and the project killed off for good in 2017 amid intense community lobbying. ASF, for its trouble, received a AU$9 million compensation payout for costs incurred while Star Entertainment Group Managing Director and CEO Matt Bekier Star Entertainment Group董事總經理兼首席執行官Matt Bekier COVER STORY