Caesars Entertainment expansion boss Steven Tight on their Gold Coast plans

UPDATE: A Caesars head honcho says the entertainment resort giant is open to partnerships in any potential new Gold Coast casino development.

UPDATE: A Caesars head honcho says the entertainment resort giant is open to partnerships in any potential new Gold Coast casino development.

But Caesars Entertainment president of international development Steven Tight, who the Bulletin today revealed was recently back on the Gold Coast meeting tourism bosses, is keeping his cards close to his chest.

Mr Tight confirmed his February visit to the Gold Coast when he also met officials from Queensland Government which ultimately decides where an integrated casino resort can go.

The visit, following on from an initial scouting trip in June last year, was to “better understand the current situation and maintain relationships with the various stakeholders”, he said overnight.

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas Supplied by Caesars Entertainment

“We are still analysing the market internally and are waiting for the Government’s tender process.

“We will then evaluate the eventual site once identified and decide whether or not to bid. We haven’t had detailed discussions with potential partners, but in the past we have brought in partners in other recent Caesars projects,” Mr Tight told the Bulletin.

Back in August, the Palaszczuk State Government ended the Chinese-backed ASF proposal for an integrated resort on the Gold Coast Spit.

State Government has not yet identified a preferred new site, aside from excluding The Spit.

EARLIER: Las Vegas giant Caesars have hit the Gold Coast for high-level talks on potential for its first Australian casino resort, wining and dining with tourism bosses.

Caesars president of international development Steven Tight led a recent delegation for renewed talks with Mayor Tom Tate and top Palaszczuk Government figures including State Development Minister Cameron Dick.

Mr Tight and fellow executives also had a separate dinner with Gold Coast tourism bigwigs at Mamasan Broadbeach.

The famous Las Vegas Strip - the giant behind one of its most famous sites, Caesars Palace, have returned to the Gold Coast to eye a potential integrated resort, it’s first in Australia. Picture: iStock

A Gold Coast-based insider described the Mamasan meeting as “informal”: “We were making them feel good about being on the Gold Coast.”

In attendance were Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter, chairman Paul Donovan, Village Roadshow theme parks CEO Clark Kirby and Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson, the Bulletin can reveal.

Clark Kirby CEO of Village Roadshow at Movie World on the Gold Coast - he joined fellow tourism industry bigwigs Martin Winter, Paul Donovan and Craig Davidson to meet with top brass from Caesars over dinner in Broadbeach recently. Picture: Adam Head

The Caesars return comes after the Bulletin revealed Mr Tight visited in May last year, eyeing up the Glitter Strip for an Australian site.

Back then, Mr Tight said Caesars was doing an internal feasibility study on whether the Gold Coast could support another big integrated resort.

The insider said of Caesars’ top brass returning: “It means they are interested.”

Mr Kirby said he felt Caesars was keen to develop a site, not just operate it: “I don’t think they were looking to just be an operator — they didn’t give that impression all.

“They seemed very encouraged by what they have seen and growing tourism base.”

Mr Donovan declined to comment on Caesars.

“But the Commonwealth Games have highlighted everything good about the Coast and why you should invest.”

Gold Coast Tourism chair Paul Donovan: “The Commonwealth Games have highlighted everything good about the Coast and why you should invest.” Photo: Richard Gosling

The State Government has an integrated resort development process which comes with the potential of a second casino licence for the city.

Mr Dick’s office referred comment to Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones.

She told the Bulletin last night: “While the Commonwealth Games has shone a massive spotlight on the Gold Coast, we’ve followed a process when it comes to a casino licence for the Coast and we’re going to continue to follow that process.”

Tourism Minister Kate Jones. (AAP Image/Steve Pohlner)

Incumbent casino operator The Star has outlined multi-billion dollar plans for five more towers at Broadbeach, without gaming increasing.

Star CEO Matt Bekier has always said its expansion is dependent on the “market conditions and competitor landscape at the ... time.”

Caesars has more than 50 casino operations across six countries. The bulk are in the United States including the famed Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.