New Gold Coast casinos in Australia, may face troubled waters

The Gold Coast, a top tourism hub in Australia, is coming up as an attractive venue for gambling tourism. The formalities to construct a new integrated resort have been almost completed. Some of the biggest gambling companies are reportedly interested in the venue too.

However, a study by Macquarie Research, a research firm in Australia, cautions that the Gold Coast may not be “the most attractive market” for gambling activities and there could be some challenges in the future too.

Macquarie warns that gambling business may struggle initially. The casinos are unlikely to deliver an appropriate return of investment in the range of €254 million, which is required to construct a casino resort, as immediately as developers may expect.

“We see challenges generating an appropriate return on a development larger than €254 million, which compares to media speculation of around €1.2 billion. The Gold Coast is not the most attractive market for a new integrated resort and casino, in our view, relative to other regions within Australia.

With a decision up to the Queensland Government, they will need to assess the net community benefits and determine whether it deters The Star Gold Coast from completing its recently approved €1.2 billion master plan.” said Macquarie Research spokesperson.