Brisbane’s Treasury Casino, a 24-hour entertainment staple housed in a heritage-listed former government office, will close permanently at midnight on Sunday, marking the end of an era almost three decades after its opening. This closure paves the way for The Star to inaugurate the main gambling hub at the $4 billion Queen’s Wharf precinct on Thursday.
The city of Brisbane will experience a brief casino hiatus, resuming operations at 2 pm on Thursday when The Star unveils its state-of-the-art facilities. Daniel Finch, CEO of The Star Entertainment Group’s Brisbane operations, highlighted the significance of the transition, noting that patrons would be “farewelled politely” at 11.59 pm on Sunday, just before the doors shut for the last time.
“The decision to close the Treasury Casino and Hotel, which operate out of two adjacent heritage-listed CBD buildings, was an emotional one for staff,” Finch stated, cited by Brisbane Times, acknowledging the historical and sentimental value of the premises, which have been under the company’s stewardship since 1995.
Future Plans for the Treasury Buildings
While the casino operations are moving, the Treasury Hotel will continue to operate as The Star Entertainment Group seeks buyers for the buildings. Plans are underway to refurbish and transform these iconic sites into retail and dining venues by the end of 2025. “We’ve got some really good negotiations and conversations happening,” Finch remarked about the ongoing sale process.
At the same time, Queen’s Wharf promises to revitalize Brisbane’s tourist appeal, especially in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Finch shared insights into the development’s phased opening, starting with the casino and The Star Grand Hotel’s 3500-square-meter event center this Thursday.
“Our main gaming floor will open, as well as our premium gaming rooms, and five restaurants will begin operations on day one,” Finch elaborated. The 320-metre-long Neville Bonner Bridge will also debut, enhancing connectivity between Queen’s Wharf and South Bank.
Economic and Touristic Implications
The new development is expected to bolster Brisbane’s status as Australia’s “bleisure” capital—a blend of business and leisure—where business visitors have increasingly spent more time and money. “We have just seen recent data that shows that Brisbane has become Australia’s ‘bleisure’ capital, with business visitors spending more time and money in our city compared to any other state,” Finch noted. The event centre at Queen’s Wharf is already taking bookings, with future expansions to include the Dorsett and Rosewood hotels.
However, as The Star prepares to launch this significant project, it faces ongoing scrutiny. The company recently encountered financial setbacks when system issues required its poker machines to be switched off for four days. Moreover, it is under pressure to demonstrate by the end of 2024 that its Queensland license should not be suspended due to allegations of impropriety. Amid these challenges, the Queensland and New South Wales governments have deferred their regulatory crackdown, giving The Star a window to implement necessary reforms.
