Casinos are on the cards in Queensland, with the state government looking at proposed sites around the Whitsundays this week.

The tropical stillness of the rural coastal region may soon ring with the sound of rolling dice and spinning wheels, as a Chinese and a Singaporean firm hedge their bids to build new gambling hubs.

The Whitsunday region is tourist country, but it has seen a significant drop in visitor numbers in the last few years.

Whitsunday Mayor Jennifer Whitney says their fortunes may soon change.

“It is very exciting to have two submissions within our region and if either one of them were to be approved by the Queensland Government it would be a huge boost to tourism, jobs and the economy for the Whitsunday region,” Mayor Whitney told local newspaper the Daily Mercury.

The proposals have been lodged with Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney, as part of Queensland State Government effort to boost tourism with at least three new casinos.

At least ten groups have made applications, which are lodged at a cost of $100,000 each.

Proposals have been put up for several separate plans to build a second Brisbane casino, a plan for a massive casino-resort complex at Yorkey’s Knob near the Great Barrier Reef, and the two proposals for sites in the Whitsunday region.

China-Australia Entrepreneurs Consortium Ltd is looking at placing their casino at Airlie Beach, and Fullshare International from Singapore wants to build one at Laguna Quays.

Whitsunday Marketing and Development Ltd chief executive officer Danial Rochford says he hopes a brand name chain would be able to build a resort near any successful casino, to further boost tourist numbers.

“The concept of bringing a full service brand name hotel would be a huge boost,” he said.

Planning Minister Jeff Seeney says the door is open.

“The Queensland government is committed to establishing developments that will be drawcards for both international and domestic visitors and provide employment for thousands of Queenslanders,” he told state parliament this week.

“This process will also deliver a much-needed boost to the state's construction industry.”