Billionaire James Packer has declared his Burswood casino a "national tourism asset", alongside more traditional attractions like Uluru and the Sydney Opera House.
Billionaire James Packer has declared his Burswood casino a "national tourism asset", alongside more traditional attractions like Uluru and the Sydney Opera House.
Mr Packer, chairman of Crown, included Melbourne's Crown casino in the "national tourism asset" basket and also defended both casinos from recent criticism of the gambling industry, saying they contributed to tourism, the community and the economy.
"Crown's Australian casinos have also come in for criticism recently from certain media outlets, anti-gambling campaigners and other observers," Mr Packer told Crown's annual general meeting on Wednesday.
"We think a lot of that negative publicity is unfair and unjustified."
Mr Packer said Crown's two Australian casinos were "national tourism assets" that contributed to the national, Victorian and West Australian economies.
"In fact, in my view, Crown Melbourne and Burswood are the only two truly world-class casino resorts in Australia," he said.
"Integrated casino complexes or resorts are globally recognised as being critical to national tourism infrastructure."
Mr Packer said that last financial year, Crown's gaming revenue from high roller players alone was over $470 million.
"This is effectively export revenue for Australia," he said.
"At this level of revenue, I believe that our company generates more international tourism revenue than any other Australian company, with the exception of Qantas."
Mr Packer told shareholders that next time they read an "unbalanced story" about Crown casinos, they should remember the contribution they made to the community.
"The one that rarely gets reported," he said.
"That is, of the contribution Crown makes to tourism, to employment, to training, to urban development, to community partnerships and to government revenues.
"Contributions that make us fundamentally different to many pubs and clubs."
Earlier this month, Mr Packer increased his stake in Crown to more than 40 per cent, after acquiring an extra three per cent of the gaming company.
Crown said on Wednesday its Australian casinos were driving the group's growth.
Combined revenue from main floor gaming across the casinos from July 1 to October 21 rose about four per cent on the previous corresponding period, Crown chief executive Rowen Craigie said.
Non-gaming revenue across both properties had recovered somewhat and was now up about five per cent over the same period.
As well, high roller, or VIP program play, turnover across the two casinos was up about five per cent.
The Melbourne-based company also said conditions were improving in Macau, China, where it has a 33.5 per cent stake in Melco Crown Entertainment.
Macau is the only place in China where casino gaming is legal.
"There are indications that the business environment in Macau is improving," Mr Craigie said.
"We see long term potential for the Macau market growth given its exposure to China."
Crown shares dropped 37 cents, or 4.28 per cent, to $8.28.
