Leading Macau junket operator Suncity Group has revealed it will welcome up to six rival junkets to Hoiana when the Vietnamese integrated resort opens its doors later this year.
Details of Hoiana, which is 34% owned by Suncity and represents the company’s first move into casino operations, were provided by Suncity’s Chief Investment Officer and Executive Director Andrew Lo in an expansive interview featured in the upcoming May edition of Inside Asian Gaming.
Asked specifically if other junkets would launch VIP rooms at Hoiana, Lo told IAG, “Yes. In fact, when we originally started designing [Hoiana] a few years ago we had four junket rooms but then we changed it to seven rooms and moved the Suncity room to the ground floor.
“And we think that wherever we go, other junkets will follow. We have already discussed it with different junkets. We are filtering right now.
“Likewise, if our competitors build a casino and invite us to open a junket room, we will join them.”
Lo also estimated that Hoiana’s gaming revenue would be “about 75%” VIP when it first opens due to limited hotel capacity, however long-term Suncity envisions the IR – being built on 986 hectares near Hoi An – becoming an “entertainment hub.”
“That is our direction,” Lo said. “We are not really interested in promoting the casino, we will promote entertainment. And then if people like playing a slot machine, go for it.”
The full interview with Andrew Lo can be found in the May 2019 edition of IAG, to be released next week.