On the eastern banks of the Swan River and only minutes from both domestic and international airports in Perth, Western Australia, the Burswood Entertainment Complex is already renowned for its world-class facilities and luxury accommodation. Opened in 1985 and now part of the Crown Limited Group, Burswood casino plans to add another 250 gaming machines and 50 gaming tables in a bid to become the state’s premier tourism and entertainment destination.

Today Crown announced it has received in-principle support from the Government of Western Australia to expand the existing casino complex in order to accommodate the increase in gaming product. Burswood has agreed with the Government to pay a $20 million upfront fee and has agreed that the tax rate on the additional electronic gaming machines will progressively increase from 22% to 27% over five years. Burswood will now seek the necessary approvals from the Western Australia Gaming and Wagering Commission for the installation of the additional gaming product and the expansion of the casino facilities.

On the basis of obtaining approval for the additional gaming product, Burswood will undertake additional investment in enhancing and expanding its international VIP gaming and accommodation facilities, expanding its local gaming capacity, establishing new restaurants and bars including some signature premium restaurants, further upgrading of the Intercontinental Perth Hotel and related pool and resort facilities and the acquisition of a luxury motor yacht for international visitors.

Together with the refurbishments of the main casino floor and Intercontinental Perth Hotel already underway (and ongoing maintenance expenditure throughout the resort), Burswood will undertake capital expenditure totalling A$350 million over the next 36 months. The end result will be the creation of a world class integrated resort that can successfully compete against the other integrated resorts in the Asian region. The investment will create more than 450 new jobs within the complex and consolidate Burswood’s position as Western Australia’s largest single site employer. In addition the construction will employ over 400 workers.

Barry Felstead, Burswood’s CEO, commented, “The investment will bring significant and sustained benefits to Perth and Western Australia. These benefits include increased levels of employment, world-class training opportunities, an increase in interstate and overseas tourist visitation and associated on-spend and more conference delegates.” He added that together with the A$130 million of capital expenditure made over the previous two years, Burswood will now be investing almost half a billion dollars over a five year period. (E-07.19.10)

© Copyright 2010 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage