When they gave the go ahead for the construction of their two integrated casino resorts, officials in Singapore made no secret of the fact the fact that the target market was tourists not locals. The casinos would be the linchpin of an ambitious plan double the number of tourists visiting Singapore each year, and...
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Singapore’s Casino Regulatory Authority (“CRA”) gave early indications that they would take an iron-fisted approach to regulation of junket operators. With the awarding of their first junket licenses last month, it’s pretty clear they aren’t softening their stance. It’s taken almost two years since Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands first opened their doors and over...
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As the only company in the world with a major presence in each of the three largest casino gaming markets; Macau, Singapore and Las Vegas, I always think of Las Vegas Sands Corporation as a wonderful barometer for the fluctuating fortunes of these markets. LV Sand’s Q2 results were released Tuesday this week and...
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There’s been a bit in the news lately about the role VIP junket operators play, or should play in two of the world’s biggest casino markets…Macau and Singapore. Over in Singapore, where no VIP operator (junket operator) licenses have yet been issued by Singapore’s Casino Regulatory Authority (“CRA”), Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson has accused...
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No, this isn’t a terribly out of date post. The Marina Bay Sands in Singapore did celebrate its official grand opening last week, despite the fact that the casino has been well and truly pumping for almost a year now. Thing is, the entire project was such an expansive development that while parts of...
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When I’m passing through customs with $5 million cash in my carry-on bag I always declare it. It’s just the right thing to do. Not everyone plays by the rules though. Yesterday Kim Wooyeong, a South Korean now living in the Philippines, was caught by Singapore customs officials at Changi Airport with a lazy...
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The prediction that Singapore’s casino market will soon be bigger than Las Vegas’ isn’t exactly going out on a long limb. Most gaming analysts see this as a ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ proposition. But the fact that it is now considered likely doesn’t make it any less remarkable. Consider this. Las Vegas is the...
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Any doubts that the government of Singapore was being overly optimistic with tourism and economic growth targets expected to be driven by its two new casinos must now be fading pretty fast. Singapore flying Here are some pretty striking statistics… Two years ago Singapore was in the middle of its worst recession since 1965. ...
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Q1: How many lawyers does it take to change a lightbulb? A1: Three. One to climb the ladder. One to shake it. And one to sue the ladder company. Q2. What do you call a smiling, sober, courteous person at a bar association convention? A2. The caterer. Q3. How can you tell when a...
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Today marks the opening of Singapore’s (and the world’s) most expensive casino development – the Marina Bay Sands. The $5.5 billion project will see a staged opening over the coming months, and today’s first stage sees the doors open to 963 of the 2,500 hotel rooms, selected shops and restaurants and the casino floor...
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