Australian gambling operator Echo Entertainment is currently reviewing its plan for a A$3-billion integrated casino resort at Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf precinct and whether the company could install all 2,500 poker machines it has been allowed to upon the official launch of the property.
Two weeks ago, the Queensland government chose Echo Entertainment and its proposal for a gambling venue over the one submitted by rival Crown. The winning operator had entered the initial bidding process with the plan to relocate the 1,632 pokies it has been operating at its Treasury Casino in Brisbane.
However, later on, officials allowed the addition of 2,500 poker machines as part of the gambling license, no matter which one of the two bidders was to win it.
With Echo Entertainment being awarded the license in question, the gaming company is now considering its plan and how many of the devices it could include upon opening.
Geoff Hogg, Managing Director of the operator’s Queensland division, pointed out that throughout the bidding process, Echo Entertainment did not call for the addition of more pokies, aside from those 1,632 it already ran. Yet, it turned out that the state government was willing to give the winning bidder the opportunity to feature up to 2,500 machines.
Mr. Hogg also noted that the company is to further review the plan for its integrated resort in order to decide how many of the allowable devices it would offer upon opening. The executive said that they currently operate 1,632 pokies and will probably be required to pay the difference up to the permitted 2,500 machines.
According to Mr. Hogg, the new integrated resort would not include all of them upon opening. However, later on, some more machines may be added, depending on population growth, demand for those, etc.
Currently, Queensland clubs and pubs feature a little more than 45,000 pokies. In addition, the four operating casinos within the state’s borders operate 5,000 more. And Echo Entertainment would not be required to buy licenses from clubs and pubs as the state has allowed the operator those additional 868 devices.
Yet, local media reported that Echo Entertainment would probably have to pay A$100,000 per each machine. Commenting on the price, Mr. Hogg said that eventually it became clear that the pokies would be part of the license and that the company would pay for those and decide whether it would install them all.
