Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAN 2020年1月 亞博匯 16 亞博匯早報 BREAKFAST BRIEFS STAR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SEEKING 30-YEAR GOLD COAST MONOPOLY 澳洲星億集團尋求黃金海岸三十年獨家專營權 AUSTRALIA’S Star Entertainment Group is demanding a 30-year monopoly on casino operations on the Gold Coast if it is to proceed with an AU$2 billion masterplan. According to a report in The Australian , the 30-year exclusivity arrangement has been at the heart of ongoing discussions between Star and the Queensland government over plans for a Global Tourism Hub, including a second Gold Coast casino. Star Entertainment Group, which owns and operates The Star Gold Coast, has long opposed development of a second Gold Coast casino, offering up its own AU$2 billion masterplan instead which would include a major expansion of its existing property plus a recently announced AU$100 million redevelopment of the ageing Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. But news of the company’s push for a 30-year monopoly shows just how high the stakes are becoming given the size of investment involved. Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones has previously stated a willingness to negotiate with Star but warned the casino operator must “put up or shut up” regarding its promised development. “We have decided we will approach Star to exclusively deal with themso they can provide detail of their offer,” Jones said inNovember. “The government will examine this offer and make a decision.” The two parties have since held four meetings to discuss exclusivity, with Star calling for a 30-year contract if it is to proceed with its masterplan. 澳洲 星億集團正在尋求黃金海岸賭場30年獨家專 營權，並以此為基礎推進其一項20億澳元總體規 劃。 據《澳洲人報》報道，這份30年的獨家協議一 直是星億集團與昆士蘭州政府持續討論的打造全 球旅遊中心計劃的核心，此計劃中還包括打造第 二家黃金海岸賭場。 星億集團擁有並運營 The Star Gold Coast， 其一直反對發展第二個黃金海岸賭場，並推出了 自己的20億澳元的總體規劃，其中包括對現有物 業的大規模擴建，及新近宣佈的將投資1億澳元對 老舊的黃金海岸會展中心進行重建。 但有關該公司推進爭取30年獨家經營的消息 則顯示，考慮到所涉及的投資規模，風險也非常之 高。 昆士蘭旅遊部部長Kate Jones此前曾表示 願意與星億談判，但警告稱，對於其承諾的開發項 目，該賭場營運商「要麼付諸行動，要麼閉嘴」。 「我們已經決定，將和星億討論獨家協議，這 樣他們便可以提供更多有關他們的提議的細節。」 Jones在11月表示，「政府將研究這一提議並作出 決定。」 自那之後，雙方共舉行了四次會議，討論星億 集團的獨家專營權。星億稱若要其推進整體規劃， 就需要簽署一份為期30年的合同。