The Queensland Tourism Industry Council stated its support for the addition of a 35-table boutique casino at Tower Holdings’ A$600-million resort, which is to be built on the Great Keppel Island.
The developer has been given the green light to launch a luxurious property without a gambling venue. Yet, Tower Holdings pointed out that it would not be able to attract international investors for the project without promising revenue from gaming activities.
The Sydney-based company turned to both the former Newman and the present Palaszczuk state governments, calling for a boutique casino license. However, officials have remained firm that no more such licenses are to be granted in the near future.
Daniel Gschwind, Chief Executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, noted that Tiger Holdings should be issued a license. The executive pointed out that Queensland officials have probably and wrongfully assumed that more casinos would lead to an increased number of gambling addicts and other social issues.
Yet, according to Mr. Gschwind, a “well-managed boutique facility” on the Great Keppel Island should not be considered a major contributor to social ills. He pointed out that online gambling poses more dangers to people and therefore, deserves much more consideration.
Brittany Lauga, a Member of Parliament for Keppel, is known to be one of the keen supporters of the addition of a boutique casino to the multimillion property, although her Labor colleagues in the current state government are opposing the proposal for a gaming license.
She told local media that she would back the gambling venue as long as the construction of the Great Keppel Island resort starts within the next 12 months. It seems that Tower Holdings has agreed to the condition.
According to Ms. Lauga, the launch of the property would create 1,500 jobs for residents of the region as well as a number of economic benefits. She also pointed out that 35 tables are not that much, so no concerns over social issues should arise. Not to mention that the casino would be located offshore, which means that the average player would not be able to visit it or at least not that often.
Last week, a group of Great Keppel Island residents that goes under the banner Our Keppel Our Future talked to Ms. Lauga as well as Queensland Development Minister Anthony Lynham and Tourism Minister Kate Jones to express their support for the addition of a boutique casino, as it would bring numerous benefits to the community.
Tower Holdings’ casino proposal has also met some strong opposition from members of the Palaszczuk government. For instance, Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne commented that if a gambling venue opens doors at the Great Keppel Island resort, it would definitely not be a boutique one. According to him, it would be yet another fully-fledged casino with its 35 tables.
By comparison, Jupiters Hotel & Casino in Townsville and The Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns, which both are considered to be full-scale casinos, are currently featuring 20 and 38 tables, respectively.
Apart from the 35-table boutique casino Tower Holdings is calling for, its Great Keppel Island resort would also feature a 250-room hotel, 300 apartments, 700 villas, an airstrip, a marina, a golf course, etc.
Great Barrier Reef Minister Steven Miles has previously pointed out that no gaming license would be awarded, unless one of the two licensees that had been chosen by the former Queensland government give up on its plans to run a casino. Yet, he encouraged Tower Holdings to proceed with the construction of its resort.
As previously reported, ASF consortium’s proposal for a A$7-billion integrated resort on Wavebreak Island, and Tony Fung’s A$8-billion Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort were the two casino developments approved by the former Queensland government. A tender for a third gambling license for a venue at the Queen’s Wharf is yet to be announced.
