Victoria’s Premier John Brumby said this week a second casino in the province was not on the State’s Government agenda but could be a possibility. The construction of a second gaming complex would mean a challenge to Crown’s Victorian monopoly, which started thanks to an exclusivity contract signed by the Kennett government and that prevented other casinos from opening.

“The exclusivity period has expired so technically it is possible for a second casino in the state, but it is not something that’s on our agenda,” Mr. Brumby said. The prohibition on casinos in Victoria was lifted in 1999 and the ban on a second casino in Melbourne finished in 2005.

Since the Crown opened, the State Government has collected more than $3 billion in taxes and punters have lost about $9 billion playing at the casino’s slot machines and gaming tables, including roulette, craps, poker, blackjack and baccarat. About 66 percent of the money was spent by Victorians while foreign high-rollers were responsible for the other 34 percent.