Casinos chart plans to woo high rollers from China

The 103,100 Chinese tourists who arrived during the Lunar New Year month of February was more than double the 42,600 who came during the whole of 1995.

Chinese buyers overtook Americans to become the biggest overseas investors in Australia's property market in the 12 months that ended June 2013, according to federal government data.

In Queensland state's capital of Brisbane, Echo is working with Hong Kong's Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd, owner of the world's largest listed jeweler, and property developer Far East Consortium International Ltd on plans to build a new casino resort.

It is also spending as much as A $280 million in the coming year on upgrades, including adding Japanese and Italian restaurants to its Jupiters resort in the Gold Coast south of Brisbane, and expanding gambling rooms at Sydney's Star.

Chinese high rollers who have been to the Gold Coast site are attracted by the proximity to the sea and the city's golf greens, and Echo would consider owning its own golf course to attract them, Bekier said.

"What we're trying to do is have another proposition that's equally unique," he said. "A six-star resort at the beach."