A super majority of residents do not support a second casino on the Gold Coast
A majority of residents in straw polls have revealed how they feel about second casino, with fears - and hopes - it would turn the Glitter Strip into another Las Vegas. See the results.
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A majority of residents have voiced opposition to a second casino in two straw polls, with fears – and hopes – expressed that it would turn the Glitter Strip into another Las Vegas,
Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer on his Facebook page asked for the views of residents after Mayor Tom Tate called for an end to The Star’s monopoly at Broadbeach.
“I am not really convinced cities with two casinos have better economic or social outcomes than cities with one,” he wrote.
About 50 posts were against another gambling palace with only four people seeing the employment and tourism benefits from a casino.
“Over 90 per cent of people who offered feedback on my page were critical of gambling or casinos in general,” Cr Tozer told the Bulletin.
“However, it’s important to remember that the Facebook algorithm, and the habits of users, tends to empower similar views to be shared rather than balanced debate.
“That 90 per cent might not be totally reflective of the broader community view, but it is insightful and worth considering.”
A Bulletin Facebook poll showed 82 people registered a “no” and 47 replied with a “yes” to whether the Gold Coast needed another casino-anchored entertainment hub.
One supporter say “100 per cent yes - Vegas on the GC”. Another added “yes at Southport or at The Spit with a cruise ship terminal included”.
Another back said they never went to casinos “but all the other infrastructure that would be there would be awesome for the Gold Coast!”.
Another added: “Yes, especially if they sponsor the Queensland ice hockey AIHL team and build a stadium for everyone.”
But Cr Tozer said many residents in his community seemed sceptical of “gambling-driven” projects but much more interested in major projects which diversify the city’s economy.
He said his position had remained the same and was based on the community’s view.
“I’m not supportive of any net increase in electronic gaming machines in the city,” he said.
Cr Tozer added there were “better ideas than casinos, cruise ship terminals and cableways”.
He said the city should focus on health, education, technology and lifestyle, manufacturing and design.
Candidates in the 2020 council poll along with community group leaders posted lengthy comments on Cr Tozer’s Facebook page explaining their fierce opposition to a second casino.
Former mayoral candidate Mona Heck wrote: “The Mayor is running out of original ideas and rehashing outdated, unwanted, unnecessary development. Tourism data shows people do not come here for casinos. “
Tony Melia who ran for Division 7 in 2020, wrote: “The Gold Coast is not Las Vegas.”
Save Our Spit leader Dr Steve Gration said the most recent survey by Tourism Australia of more than 13,000 international tourists revealed these visitors regard that “bars, nightclubs and casinos” had the lowest appeal out of 19 attractions and reasons for their visit.
The highest ranking attractions for overseas travellers with four times more appeal included beaches, rainforests, national parks and unspoilt wilderness areas.
“The business case alone for a second casino on the Gold Coast does not ‘stack up’ and the moral, social and ethical cases for more casinos on the Gold Coast are even less convincing,” he wrote.
Some residents wanted more ratepayer money spent on improving roads and parks.
But a resident supporting a second casino said local clubs with poker machines seemed to be more likely to be “a social blight” than international tourism-focused casinos.
“A multifunctional GTH (global tourism hub) stands to offer employment, quality entertainment venues, and other social and economic positives that could be built into their licence,” he wrote.
Cr Tozer in a reply wrote: “I’m not sure we “need” a GTH in order to attain those other advantages you mention – although GTH proponents might suggest we do. Frankly, I doubt it.”
EARLIER:
Queensland’s Premier says it’s too early to reveal if she’ll entertain reopening the push for a second Gold Coast casino but the industry needs to “get their act together”.
The comment by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk comes as Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate deals Star a critical hand, calling for an end to its monopoly.
Mr Tate said back when the state launched its Global Tourism Hub (GTH) process and calls for expressions of interest in a second Coast casino “I said ‘it’s never healthy to have a monopoly’”.
“Whether theme parks, a restaurant, - a monopoly is like a dictatorship.
“When you know you are the only house in town, you can relax a little bit how you behave.
“When you have competition, you roll up your sleeves, put on your best clothes so to speak.”
The future of Star Entertainment Group’s Brisbane and Gold Coast developments are under a cloud after a damning inquiry found it “unsuitable” to hold casino licences in Queensland.
The gambling giant must now explain why it should not lose them.
Mr Tate said the state should consider second casino regardless of the outcome.
“You have to reinvent yourself. This will be more dining, entertainment, shopping. It’s not just about sitting at a table gambling.
“So many people go to Vegas and don’t even gamble. That’s why I would urge the government to take the opportunity.”
Asked by the Bulletin whether she’d reopen the GTH process, Premier Palaszczuk said it would be premature to comment until the end of the 21-day period Star has to respond.
“There have been issues with both Crown and with Star,” she said. “It’s a huge wake-up call to the casino industry that they need to get their act together.”
The inquiry by former Court of Appeal Justice Robert Gotterson KC found Star had been “insufficiently transparent” with the Queensland regulator, “actively encouraged” banned persons to gamble in the state and was “seriously deficient” in preventing money laundering.
The State’s GTH process was killed off in 2020 despite interest including Las Vegas giant Caesar’s Palace.
The Star spokesman said it was “proud of its ongoing commitment to the Gold Coast” through its $2bn masterplan and $3.6bn Queen’s Wharf.
“These are real investments involving completed, in progress and planned developments,” he said.
The Star was delighted to have longstanding Gold Coast community partnerships and be a key supporter of major events such as Magic Millions, 2018’s Commonwealth Games and the Logies.
“Growth in the events and conferencing business is also a key element in our future plans.”
The inquiry report had a dozen recommendations, with the government supporting “in-principle” moves to modernise the state’s nearly 40-year-old casino control laws and bring in a raft of gambling harm minimisation measures.
This includes significant new controls on how much time and money punters can spend on the pokies, and bringing in “cashless” cards linked to a person’s identification if they want to gamble more than $1000.
‘Second casino’ for Coast
THE State Government is being urged to revisit creating a global tourism hub and give a licence for a second casino on the Gold Coast.
Mayor Tom Tate is to lobby for a second gambling palace as the operations of the Star Entertainment Group, which runs the Broadbeach casino, remain under a cloud.
“Covid is behind us, the global travel and leisure industry is recovering at record pace and I’m confident there are investors on a global scale that would consider investing in a second GTH for our city,” Mr Tate said.
“It is far more advantageous to have more than one casino operator — for market confidence and consumers — than the current monopoly.’’
The Star after a damning inquiry has been given a show cause notice and must in the next few weeks explain to the Government why its licences should not be ripped up.
Mr Tate said he would not comment on the matters involving Star Entertainment which were before the regulator.
But he quickly outlined his plan to “publicly encourage the State to reopen its tender process for a second GTH licence for our city”.
Mayor Tate early in his first term of office wanted up to five casinos for the Glitter Strip.
The GTH was killed off 2020 despite strong support from consortiums - including from Las Vegas giant Caesar’s Palace - and one offer to build a hotel casino project on public land in Southport.
Previous proposals included ASF’s controversial cruise ship terminal on Wavebreak Island.
“Choice creates healthy competition and gives patrons better access to entertainment, world-class cuisine, accommodation and experiences,” Mr Tate said.
“We see it with our theme parks today — all world-class and providing different experiences for different clients.
Mr Tate said any future GTH would provide employment for thousands of residents as well as millions in annual supply-chain contracts for local businesses.
The Government in 2016 had granted Star the licence for a casino at Queen’s Wharf, Brisbane, and two years later went to the market for licences in Cairns and the Coast.
A dozen operators had shown interest in the GTH in early 2019, including top brass from Caesars which operates famed Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, making multiple visits to the city.
Several Asian consortiums entered the race after a register of interests was launched.
But in July 2020 Labor advised it has ceased negotiations leaving Star as the only licence.
“While these negotiations were playing out in 2020, the State Government gave me a commitment that our city would enjoy a $100 million upgrade to the Broadbeach Convention Centre (State-owned asset),” Mr Tate said.
“That clearly never eventuated and I will be asking the State Government to now come good with their commitment.’’
The Star had forced the government to play its hand after offering to upgrade the Convention and Exhibition Centre in exchange for “certainty” in the casino debate.
The Star wanted “exclusivity” to commit to the rest of its $2 billion Gold Coast masterplan, with up to $100 million to be allocated for the convention centre.
But sources suggested that during talks across two months the government could not agree to a monopoly licence, of up to 30 years, for The Star to operate the only casino.
Government insiders at the time suggested a Coast global tourism hub could be revived.
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Originally published as A super majority of residents do not support a second casino on the Gold Coast
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