Las Vegas Sands is betting big on Macau, despite the uncertainty around the expiration and renewal of the city’s six casino concessions and sub-concessions in 2022
Gaming and hospitality powerhouse Las Vegas Sands revealed more details about its The Londoner Macao property on the Cotai strip at a Wednesday press conference held at The Venetian Theatre.
The Londoner Macao is the rebranded and revamped Sands Cotai Central, a property the Las Vegas casino giant launched in 2012. Las Vegas Sands has invested more than $2.2 billion in remodeling the complex into a London-themed integrated resort. Company officials said yesterday that they are on track to begin opening the resort’s new facilities progressively from 2020 to 2021.
The press conference was attended by Las Vegas Sands President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Goldstein. The official said that The Londoner Macao is a continuation of the company’s strategy to diversify its offering in Macau as the casino hub is looking to reduce its reliance on its gambling industry. Mr. Goldstein added that Las Vegas Sands and its local subsidiaries will continue investing in Macau as long as they are here.
That remark prompted questions about what comes next for Sands once the six casino concessions and sub-concessions expire in two years’ time. Mr. Goldstein said that his company’s commitment to the city is evident from the $15 billion investment since it first entered the local market back in 2002.
The Sands President also pointed to the fact that Sands has ploughed significant amounts of money into non-gaming offering, including retail, more hotel rooms and suites, and more MICE facilities than any other gambling company operating in the only Chinese territory where casino gambling is legal.
Bringing London to Asia
Sands intends to bring the spirit of London to the Asian casino hub with classic British landmarks located around its new integrated resort. The property will feature a facade modeled after the Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament, a full-size replica of Big Ben, and a replica of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain at Piccadilly Circus, among others.
Sands also revealed plans to add a Crystal Palace-style atrium, a revamped shopping mall, additional conference and meeting space, a gastropub by fiery celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, and a new 6,000-seat arena, among other amenities.
A British-themed “fully immersive live virtual reality experience” for visitors of all ages will also be part of the entertainment offering of The Londoner Macao. The resort will feature a 34,000-square-meter casino with 450 table games and 2,000 slot machines.
The resort will debut a new hotel – The Londoner Hotel that will replace Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central. The new hotel will join the existing Sheraton Grand, Conrad, and The St.Regis hotels and will feature 594 suites. The new hotel will bring The Londoner Macao’s hotel rooms to a total of 6,016.
Former English footballer David Beckham, who is a global ambassador for Sands Resorts Macao, will be working on the interior design of The Londoner Hotel’s top floor suites. He said at yesterday’s press conference that he wants to bring to Macau all the things he loves in London.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the day’s top casino news stories.
