Global casino resort giant Caesars Entertainment keen on the Gold Coast
THEY are one of the biggest casino and resort operators in the world and now this Las Vegas casino giant has the Gold Coast on their radar.
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CAESARS Entertainment, one of the world’s biggest casino resort operators, is eyeing up the Gold Coast for its first Australian venture.
Caesars Hong Kong-based president of international development Steven Tight visited the Gold Coast on a scouting trip last month, meeting Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan.
Mr Tight, speaking to the Gold Coast Bulletin from Hong Kong, confirmed his recent trip to the Gold Coast.
“I did have an initial visit to Queensland several weeks ago.
“We are currently doing our internal feasibility study on whether another large-scale integrated resort could be supported in the Gold Coast market.”
Mr Tight said he hoped to have a better idea of the city’s potential for a Caesars property later next month once more of the study was done.
“It would be Caesars’ first property in Australia,” Mr Tight said.
“All I can say at this point is Caesars Entertainment continues to evaluate opportunities throughout the region to expand our network of world-class properties.”
The global giant opened its famed Caesars Palace in Las Vegas 50 years ago and describes itself as the world’s most “geographically diversified casino-entertainment company”.
Caesars Entertainment has more than 50 casino sites in six countries with the bulk in the US but other operations in China, the UK, South Africa, Canada and Egypt.
Asked about the prospect of Caesars investing in the city, Gold Coast Tourism’s Mr Donovan said his lunch with Mr Tight was productive and the prospect an exciting one.
State Government officials were also present for the get-together lasting several hours at Marina Mirage restaurant Glass.
Mr Donovan said Mr Tight was very interested in hearing about what was happening with other major development projects on the Gold Coast as well as its population and tourist figures.
“It would be great to get someone of that ilk involved with the Gold Coast,” Mr Donovan said.
“It’s the holiday destination of choice in Australia and anything that brings that entertainment aspect and can add more value, we would have to be in sync with.”
Mr Donovan said time frames and sites weren’t discussed with Mr Tight.
“(But) he wouldn’t have come out here and gone to the lengths he did have if it was just a folly. He highlighted the Coast is of interest to him.”
Chinese-backed consortium ASF’s proposed $3 billion Spit project is currently the State Government’s preferred proponent for an integrated resort development, which includes a second casino licence for the city.
WHO IS CAESARS:
It was founded in 1937 and according to the Caesars Entertainment corporate website has annual revenues of more than $9 billion and 55,000 staff.
Caesars Entertainment’s corporate website says it has more than 50 casino sites across 13 US states and six different countries. They operate under the Caesars, Harrah’s and Horseshoe brands and it also has almost 300 retail stores and four golf courses across the US.
Its US venues run a total of 600 bars, restaurants and clubs.
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