Tony Fung’s proposed AU$330 million redevelopment of Canberra Casino will see the property allowed to install up to 200 slot machines for the very first time, breaking the stranglehold of Canberra clubs on Australia’s most popular form of gambling.
Under current legislation, slot machines – better known locally as poker machines – are exclusive to community clubs in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), making Canberra the only casino in Australia without any machines.
But that looks set to change with the ACT Government announcing conditional support for 200 machines at the new casino provided Fung’s Aquis Entertainment, who purchased the current casino in 2014, abide to strict provisions. They include an amended development proposal, paying higher taxes than the clubs, making higher community donations and implementing more stringent harm minimization measures.
Aquis had originally asked for 500 machines. Canberra’s slot machine numbers are currently capped at 4,994 with the government insisting it would not be raising the cap, meaning Aquis would have to purchase machines directly from the clubs at an estimated cost of anything from AU$18,000 to AU$50,000 per machine.
The current redevelopment proposal aims to turn the small and tired Canberra Casino into a world-class facility including two hotels, VIP gaming facilities, high end restaurants and shops.
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