A new casino will be part of the redevelopment of Brisbane’s Queens Wharf. The project has attracted the interest of several local casino operators, and city planners expect that international gaming firms will also compete for the license. Echo Entertainment and Crown Limited, two very well-known Australian casino developers, have openly expressed interest in obtaining the casino license.
They two companies have competed over licenses in the past, and their rivalry will continue as they aim to become the operator of Brisbane’s new casino development. However, according to Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney, Echo Entertainment and Crown may not be the only companies in the running for the casino license.
"We expect that certainly in this first part of the process,” he says. “We will have a significant number of international participants." Any companies that are interested in obtaining the new casino license will have to jump through hoops to secure their success. Firstly, the firm will have to demonstrate that it can successfully establish an integrated casino resort that will be competitive in the international tourism market.
The pitch will also have to prove that the property will be iconic in order to attract visitors from across Australia and around the world. To be an attractive property, the new casino resort must host a wide range of facilities that will draw in tourists. This should include a number of accommodation options, conference facilities and plenty of entertainment opportunities.
This is an exciting project for Brisbane, as the new integrated casino resort will draw much tourism to Queensland. There are also two other casino licenses up for grabs in the state, but little information about these properties has been revealed. Queensland politicians aim to release a shortlist of potential licensees by the beginning of 2015, but the project seems to be going ahead of schedule.
According to Mr Seeney, the project could be finished by the second quarter of the year.