Tourism Minister Kate Jones rules out approving new poker machines for second Gold Coast casino

THE State Government will roll the dice on a second casino for the Gold Coast. But Tourism Minister Kate Jones has revealed the new development will be missing a critical feature of other casinos.

THE chances of a second casino being built on the Gold Coast have slumped after Tourism Minister Kate Jones ruled out allowing it to have pokies.

Ms Jones made the stunning revelation in State Parliament yesterday, but last night went to ground, declining to elaborate.

Labor’s no-pokies position for another casino in the city follows the LNP’s lead in June. It ruled out supporting more machines at a future “super resort” development on the Coast.

The Government’s decision cruels moves to have a second casino on the Coast with gaming experts last night telling the Gold Coast Bulletin it would not be viable without poker machines.

Queensland Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

Depending on a range of factors, including location, slot machines generate 30-40 per cent of revenue for the average casino.

In an Estimates hearing in State Parliament yesterday, Broadwater MP David Crisafulli asked Ms Jones if she could rule out granting poker machine licences for the proposed second casino.

“Minister, can you rule out granting any additional electronic gaming machines for the Gold Coast tourism hub located in my city?,” Mr Cisafulli asked.

Ms Jones replied: “Yes.”

Mr Crisafulli later told the Bulletin: “Since the election we’ve had her dodging, weaving and shadow boxing and refusing to rule it out.

No new pokie machines would be allowed. Pic Chris Pavlich.

“Under the glare of Estimates, there is no escape. You have to tell the truth. This city will never be overrun with poker machines.”

In May, the Bulletin reported Gold Coasters were pumping at least $1 million a day into the city’s 5667 gaming machines.

The real spend is significantly more because the Government does not require data from The Star, which has 1660 poker machines. No more machines are planned as part of its $3 billion masterplan on the Gold Coast.

The Star last night welcomed the State Government’s position: “We are committed to delivering new developments without any additional poker machines,” a spokesman said.

“We are delighted the Government shares that same sentiment in regards to any future (integrated resort) on the Gold Coast.”

The Star have already ruled out putting any more Pokies in its Gold Coast developments. Pic Chris Pavlich.

“The Star has a potential pipeline of around $2 billion in further tourism infrastructure as part of our Gold Coast master plan.”

Construction of The Star’s new $400 million, 54-storey tower is expected to begin shortly.

Its masterplan allows for seven towers all up.

Construction is also underway to build the $3 billion Queens Wharf integrated resort and casino in central Brisbane which The Star will also operate.

A Bulletin poll in May found 72 per cent of readers did not want a second casino on the Gold Coast.

Mr Crisafulli believed Labor’s position would be widely welcomed on the Coast.

The Star Gold Coast Masterplan

“It’s a line in the sand moment,” he said. “Our city will not be the slot machine central for the state.

“I think this is the one common theme according to Gold Coast members. They (the residents) do not want to be overrun by more poker machines.”

The Bulletin has been told the Labor Government is eager to pursue a major integrated resort on the Coast.

It wants to encourage proponents but not at the expense of increasing the number of poker machines.

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Queensland Member for Broadwater David Crisafulli (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

In June, Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens told the Parliament the city needed another slot machine in a new casino “like an alcoholic needs another brand of whiskey”.

Party insiders said a casino to rival The Star at Broadbeach would need to be “epic” to get the tick.

A second casino on the Coast would impact on clubs, pubs and sporting groups which depend on the pokies for their survival, he said.