Star Entertainment Properties Greatly Increase Capacities in Australia
Thanks to relatively successful efforts to contain and control the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia, officials at the Star Entertainment Group are increasing capacities at three gaming properties located Down Under. That means more workers can return to support more visitors as Australia gradually opens up amid the Covid-19 global pandemic.
The Star Sydney, Star Gold Coast, and the Treasury Casino & Hotel in Brisbane all benefit from increased capacities thanks to local governments easing restrictions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. As of Dec. 7, the Star Sydney raised its maximum capacity on the casino floor from 1,800 patrons to 10,000 based on the revised New South Wales government easing restrictions implemented due to COVID-19. The newer and greatly relaxed standards allow for one patron for every 2 square meters instead of the prior restriction of one patron for every 4 square meters.
Likewise, the Star Gold Coast and Treasury Casino have increased capacities due to similar standards in place. The Queensland government on Dec. 7 eased restrictions from one patron every 4 square meters to one patron every 2 square meters. The new COVID-19 standards also enable all gaming machines to operate and up to seven patrons at each gaming table. Patrons who want to drink alcoholic beverages while gambling can do so and even stand at the machines. The prior restrictions limited the number of gaming machines that patrons could use and limited table games to four people.
With the easing of state restrictions in New South Wales and Queensland, Star Entertainment also should see increased visitations from other locales. The prior restrictions included travel restrictions between states and territories within Australia to prevent the potential spread of Covid-19. Star Entertainment says the eased restrictions mean more workers can return while continuing to observe social distancing guidelines and state regulations. Gaming stations must remain the prescribed distance apart, for example, although seven players can gamble at a single table.
The Star Sydney in Pyrmont is the second-largest casino in Australia and has two casino floors, a 351-room hotel, and several bars and restaurants. The Star Gold Coast in Broadbeach, Queensland, is the state’s oldest casino. Formerly named the Jupiters Hotel and Casino, Star renamed it the Gold Coast in 2017. It is a 592-room hotel and casino situated on a small island connected to the mainland.
Further north in Brisbane, Star Entertainment’s Treasury Casino and Hotel offers old-world opulence in a converted colonial administrative building and hotel that serves a very exclusive clientele. Its five-star hotel should benefit from the relaxed restrictions that now enable greater travel within Australia as well as increased gaming capacities on the gambling floor.
Star Entertainment also is building a casino resort in Brisbane that is part of the $3 billion Brisbane integrated resorts project. The project is moving forward during the pandemic, with Star Entertainment planning a formal open in 2022. The tentatively named Queen’s Wharf casino will cater to luxury-class clientele rather than high-rollers. Star officials say the era of jet-setting high-rollers supporting international gaming operations likely is over even after the global pandemic eventually concludes.
Fortunately, Australia implemented effective controls at the federal and local levels to contain the crisis and move forward with continued gaming activities and casino development.
Officials with the Australian Government Department of Health confirmed COVID-19 on its shores in January 2020, followed by peak cases reported at the end of March and again in early August. Declining numbers since August and just a trickle of daily cases reported since September are enabling Star Entertainment to boost property capacities.