THE MACAU METRO MONITOR, SEPTEMBER 4, 2013

AMBROSE SO SAYS BAN ON CASINO SMOKING IS IMMINENT Macau Daily Times

Ambrose So, SJM's CEO said a total ban on smoking is imminent and that the gambling giant is not worried about the potential fall of its market share, as it is not "a key index".  So said that SJM is trialing smoking rooms in the smoking areas in its casinos, and the government encourages this practice.  However, he acknowledged that it is not easy for all SJM casinos to reach the government’s standard of air quality.  The CEO pointed out that some older casinos have lower ceilings, and that it is harder for those to pass the air quality test.  He urged the government to make special considerations and, if possible, exempt those gambling venues from air quality-related fines.

Moreover, So said that it would actually be more financially beneficial if the government simply declared a ban on smoking in casinos, so that operators do not need to buy extra equipment to cope with the interim period.

As for the issues surrounding the location of some slot machine venues, So said some venues would be removed in accordance with the government’s timetable.  SJM is now looking for new locations for these venues.  However, if the group cannot secure new sites, they will temporarily close the venues.  So is not worried about the revenue, as slot machines only account for a very small proportion of SJM’s profits.

SANDS CHINA EXEC DAVID SISK RESIGNS AMID SHAKE-UP WSJ

Sisk, formerly Sands China's COO, was asked to resign, said people familiar with the matter.  From the beginning, there was a power struggle between current CEO Ed Tracy and Sisk, who both aspired to become Sands China's new CEO, said one of the people familiar with the matter.  Tracy won the CEO appointment in July 2011.

Sisk's departure follows the resignation Friday of Hugh Fraser, who served as vice president of casino operations across Sands China's four Macau properties.  Fraser is moving to Australia to become the general manager of gambling operations at The Star in Sydney.  In June, Andrew Billany, formerly senior vice president of Sands China's high-end Plaza Casino and Paiza operations, left the company to become Senior Vice President of Operations for SJM Cotai.  LVS CFO, Ken Kay, stepped down on July 31.