The Macau Metro Monitor, April 8, 2011
SINGAPORE INVESTIGATES ALLEGED ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN CASINOS WSJ
Singapore's Casino Regulatory Authority said it has to-date received some information alleging illegal activities in the casinos. It has asked Adelson and MBS to provide details. Adelson said LVS officials have filed a "suspicious transaction report". Adelson added, "We are not doing business with third parties [junket operators], doesn't mean one doesn't slip though without our knowing about it."
Contrary to what Adelson said about the Singapore government having not made up its mind about allowing junkets, CRA said it has received junket applications endorsed by RWS and is currently processing and investigating them.
NON-GAMING TO CONTINUE TO GROW AT MELCO CROWN: NICK NAPLES macaubusiness.com
MPEL Co-COO Nick Naples for operations says non-gaming revenue is set to continue to increase at the company’s properties in 2011. “It would be conservative to say we expect to see another 10-15% growth in our non-gaming areas. However, we cannot really grow ‘The House of Dancing Water’ much more. But we are seeing very healthy growth over 2010 already. Currently, it is at a break-even level with the occupancy rate hovering around 95-96%," said Naples. He added that CoD may "add new offerings in 2011 and 2012."
DEPARTMENT STORE FOR PONTE 16 macaubusiness.com
Success Universe plans to open a Sogo-like department store at Ponte 16. Ponte 16 on the Inner Harbour is 49% owned by a subsidiary of Success Universe. The majority share is owned by SJM–Investimentos, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of SJM Holdings. The department store is to be located at Ponte 16’s phase 3, to be completed by the end of 2012. The HK$800MM development plan needs approval from the Macau government.
“We think Japanese-style department stores run better than their peers and we are in talks with some operators,” deputy chairman Hoffman Ma said. As part of the development project, Ma expects the number of gaming tables to grow to 150 from the current 109 by 2013.
RUSSIA MAY BUILD CASINO TARGETING CHINESE Global News
Sources say Russia has plans to build a casino in Oblast, a neighborhood of the Chinese province Heilongjiang.
