Echo Entertainment reviews slot potential at Queen’s Wharf

The Palaszczuk Government of Queensland selected Echo over rival Crown Resorts for the single integrated resort license as part of the multi-billion-dollar Queen’s Wharf development. Echo has moved its Australian headquarters to near the site and is now planning with construction to start in 2017.

Echo, which holds the monopoly over casino in the state, planned to carry over 1,632 slot licenses to the new facility but a late change to the process allowed up to 2,500 slot machines.

As part of the Company’s plans, its existing Treasury Casino will be transformed into a Ritz Carlton Hotel and the 1,632 slot machine licenses will be carried over to the new facility. But the cash-strapped government increased the number of slot machines up to 2,500 as part of the license and Echo is now looking at how many additional slots could be included.

“Throughout our bid we made it quite clear that we didn’t require any additional gaming machines in the proposal,” commented Geoff Hogg, Echo Entertainment Queensland Managing Director. “Late in the process it became quite clear that the license was going to be consistent for both parties and the license included 2,500 machines.”

Hogg said it is unlikely the facility would open with all 2,500 machines but the casino would be able to gradually expand over the next years. The Australian Financial Review reported each new gaming machine would contribute an additional $100,000 to the government, who, in unusual circumstances, is trying to persuade the operate to install extra machines.

“The Queen’s Wharf Brisbane licensee will have an entitlement to 2,500 gaming machines, although not all machines may be installed at opening,” remarked a spokeswoman for Queen’s Wharf, adding that the casino section of the development “takes up just 5pc” of the complete complex and would bring benefits similar to “World Expo and South Bank.”