Inside Asian Gaming

Dec 2007 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 21 Junket Operations MGM Grand Macau pact by coming so hard on the heels of the Wynn opening, but StarWorld has proven a strong performer, and the property fills an important niche along the now thriving strip along Avenida de Amizade (Friendship Ave- nue) on the Macau peninsula. Galaxy’s aim is to provide “affordable luxury” and make lo- cals feel comfortable.StarWorld offers a wide array of fine Asian cuisine, and while Sands Macao famously scaled back its high-end dining facilities, StarWorld’s Chinese restau- rants are credited with helping to drive its VIP gaming business. In February this year, Stanley Ho’s SJM opened its new flagship Grand Lisboa, ad- jacent to the ageing Lisboa along Av de Amizade. The Grand Lisboa’s huge egg- shaped podium—which doubles as the world’s largest LED display—and its tow- ering lotus flower-shaped hotel tower do have a certain iconic appeal, but the inte- rior has been criticised for resembling that of the Sands, although it is neither as large nor as impressive. Melco PBL Entertainment trumpeted the Crown Macau, located on Taipa Island, as the city’s first six-star property. Several hitches at the May opening event, however, and the usual teething troubles, undermined that lofty claim. While Crown Macau does have some of the most impressive VIP gaming rooms anywhere,it appears the property has suffered because of its location away from the main peninsula strip, and its uninspiring main floor design (not helped by the small plot size). The Venetian Macao became the anchor property of the Cotai Strip when it opened in August.Cotai is expected to becomeMacau’s hub for entertainment, conventions, exhibi- tions and retail, and see the evolution of a new multi-night stay market in a city that has until now been dominated by day-trip- pers coming to gamble, and not much else. Venetian will create an entirely new market segment in Macau, but owing to its unprec- edented scale and scope in the city,will need more time to find its stride. Where the lion stands MGM Grand Macau is located a few min- utes walk from Wynn Macau and StarWorld, and will enter a market where operators are increasingly making clear their philoso- phies and positioning. The opening will no doubt be characterized by throngs of curios- ity seekers, but as the new property appeal wears off, it will continue to draw the cus- tomers who feel more comfortable inside its walls than at Macau’s other properties. Inside Asian Gaming recently caught up with MGM Grand Paradise Ltd VP Casino Op- erations Gabe Hunterton, who commented MGM Grand Paradise Ltd is a 50/50 venture owned and jointly operat- ed by MGM MIRAGE and Ms Pansy Ho Chiu-king. MGM Grand Paradise was formed to develop, build and operate casino resorts in Macau under a sub-concession agreement approved by the Macau govern- ment. The joint venture’s first project, MGM Grand Macau, is located on a premier site on the Macau peninsula and consists of 600 rooms, suites and villas, several restaurants and entertainment facilities and a casino complex consisting of 385 table games and 890 slot machines. The total cost of the project is approximately US$1.25 billion. MGM Grand Paradise is currently working with the Macau government on a second development site in Cotai.