A record level of business from high rollers has casino owner Echo Entertainment expecting a strong rise in earnings.
Demand has also been strong for electronic gaming, which consists mainly of poker machines, in its casinos - The Star in Sydney, Jupiters on the Gold Coast and Brisbane's Treasury.
Echo's normalised revenue grew 27 per cent in the 17 weeks to October 27, with The Star its best performing casino, while turnover from VIPs in that period was up 78 per cent to $16 billion.
The company now expects to achieve normalised earnings before tax of between $245 million and $260 million in the six months to December 31 - a rise of between 23 per cent and 31 per cent on the same period in 2013.
The improved forecast sent Echo shares to their highest level since early 2013, gaining 22 cents, or 6.2 per cent, to $3.76.
Chief executive Matt Bekier said the company was reaping the benefits of its big spending to upgrade its casinos, particularly The Star.
"The work we are putting into customer segmentation, loyalty and customer service continues to gain traction and is allowing us to generate returns on the investments we have made in recent years," he said in a statement.
"We have exciting programs under development and look forward to an active trading period over the upcoming festive season."
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