The Museum of Old and New Art, also known as MONA and the Federal Group have recently sent in proposals to the State Government in the hopes of adding a casino on-site at the museum. Government officials have now confirmed proposals have been received from both groups and are under consideration.

The Federal Group signed deeds in 1993 and 2003 to give themselves exclusive rights to operating poker machines as well as casinos in Tasmania. David Walsh, the owner of MONA, first announced his plans of wanting a casino in the area last year. Walsh announced he was considering a tourist-only casino which would offer high roller gaming. The facility would be called Monaco and would be located in Berriedale at the Museum of Old and New Art.

Walsh’s plans were to convince the Federal Group that the plans for his casino would be small and there would be no poker machines. The goal of the facility would be to bring in wealthy fly-in customers, allowing the facility to not become competition for Wrest Point, the operations of the Federal Group.

The proposals by Federal and MONA are now under review and the Treasury is receiving independent advice on the proposals by each group. Once the analysis is complete, the information will be made public.