Casino giants eye Singapore and Thailand

26.06.2004, Lesen Sie hier den Bericht über «Casino giants eye Singapore and Thailand».

The casino war in Asia is hotting up as gaming giants eye potential markets in Singapore and Thailand while Asia's gambling 'king' Stanley Ho plans to bet US$380 million (S$646 million) on re- inventing his empire in Macau. Following in the footsteps of three others, America's No 3 casino company said yesterday that it sees bright hopes in Singapore and will meet Government officials on Thursday to 'discern their level of interest'. 'We are definitely interested in looking at the Singapore market if the Government decides to go ahead,' said Ms Jan Jones, senior vice-president of communications and government relations at Harrah's Entertainment. Pointing to the prospects, she added: 'Singapore is a centre for trade and has a large population base within two hours of here.'

Ms Jones was speaking to The Straits Times at the sidelines of the Asian Casino Expo, the second event on gaming in Asia to be held here in less than two months. Her company's interest adds to that of MGM-Mirage, Caesars Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands, all US giants that had reportedly met Singapore officials when they were in Las Vegas last to study casino operations there. Singapore will make a decision by January 2005.

Mr Steven Lim, the executive director of RGB, a Malaysia-based gaming supplier, believes a Singapore casino can be up and running in 24 months of an announcement. 'It has all the infrastructure in place. There is no reason why it would take any longer,' he said. Like Singapore, Thailand is considering getting a slice of the $14 billion business in Asia, tapping into the growing wealth of Asian tourists and their love for gambling.

Dr Ambrose So, director of Stanley Ho's Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM), said his company would consider investing in both but Thailand would be 'more attractive'. 'Thailand has a higher population...We have more Thai than Singaporean customers and they are used to the type of gaming in Macau.'

However, Harrah's Ms Jones pointed out that a significantly lower capital investment does not make a place more attractive to investors. 'Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert. No one expected it to become such a huge tourist destination. 'The most important thing is the partnership between entertainment complexes and convention centres. Governments should note that non-gaming revenues in Las Vegas exceed gaming revenues,' she said, adding that Singapore is seen as a tourist destination.

It's a lesson that even Asia's gambling capital Macau is realising. Dr So's company will be building three theme parks on the island. It is being done with the hope of coaxing visitors to stay beyond the average 1.35 days, he said, noting that visitors to Las Vegas stay 3.7 days.

One hot topic that emerged at the two-day event, which ends today, is the growing threat of online gaming. But RGB's Mr Lim thinks it may not take off in Asia -- yet. 'The typical Asian high-roller is above the age of 40 and may not be exposed to technology. The Asian player likes to shout and be among crowds,' said Mr Lim. However, all the 100 who attended the conference agreed on one thing: Countries planning to open casinos cannot just import existing concepts and models. SJM's Dr So said: 'Operators must adapt to the market. For example, the Asian player likes to think he is in control of the game and his fate, so he likes to play card games rather than slot machines, which he thinks are pre-set.'

Über Glücksspiele in Macau - Gambling in Macao:

Macau (englisch Macao) liegt rund 50 Kilometer westlich von Hongkong und ist das Glücksspiel-Paradies in Asien.

Macau hat rund 40 Spielcasinos. Die grössten Casinos sind The Venetian Macao, MGM Macao, Wynn Macao, Galaxy StarWorld, City of Dreams, Sands Macao, Casino Lisboa.

Neben den riesigen und farbenfrohen Casinobuildings ist eines der Wahrzeichen der Macau Tower (Fernsehturm mit 338 Meter) mit atemberaubenden Ausblicken auf die Stadt.

Macau erstreckt sich über eine Fläche von 115.3 km2 und hat rund 620'000 Einwohner.

--- Ende Artikel / Pressemitteilung Casino giants eye Singapore and Thailand ---


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