Queensland's state government has a shortlist of four bidders, and SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison said this week that Azure had submitted a preliminary proposal for a world-class integrated tourism development to the Gold Coast City Council and the state.
The Gold Coast has Jupiters Hotel and Casino at Broadbeach, but officials want a second venue at the Broadwater and Spit nearer Labrador to the north.
Moghe said the cost of a new licence alone could be around $200 million but the total project cost would depend on whether an integrated gaming complex was built.
"Obviously SkyCity's share would be half that cost, but still quite substantial," he said.
He predicted that if Azure won, SkyCity's plans to go to Asia, announced a few weeks ago, would most likely be ditched because of the amount of capital expenditure on its books.
Morrison said the company was looking at moving into the thriving Asian market, opening a giant venue in the Philippines in what could be a $200 million venture - which would take planned capital expenditure to almost $1 billion.
Morrison said the company saw huge growth opportunities in Manila, and might make a move this year.
But Moghe said those plans might not come to anything if the company got the green light in Queensland which would be a huge bonus to its business.
"SkyCity could get international VIP visitors to the Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and Queenstown providing them with variety. I think that's the idea," Moghe said.
SkyCity is also planning big changes to its Queenstown operation, looking to add accommodation and VIP suites, as well as starting work soon on an upgrade to its Auckland SkyTower, developing further restaurants and reconfiguring the main entry.
Rolling dice
SkyCity's potential spending:
*$350m: Auckland International Convention Centre
*$500m: Gold Coast casino and tourism project
*$435m: Adelaide expansion and redevelopment
