Echo chief on defensive in Queensland

Echo Entertainment Group Ltd chief executive John Redmond hit back at suggestions by Crown Ltd. that it was more deserving of a nod to build a new casino in central Brisbane. "What gets built here to compete for that type of clientele (high-rollers) will be second to none, anywhere in the world," he said. "This will not be a step child." He said implications Echo had neglected its Queensland properties were "completely inappropriate". He said the properties faced plenty of competition even without rival casinos because the state, with 42,947 gambling machines at 1,259 sites,  has as many slots as the Las Vegas Strip. New data this week showed gross slot revenues in the state reached A$2.3 billion ($1.8 billion) in the fiscal year that ended June 30.