Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | March 2011 6 O n 15th May, Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) will open its new flagship property, Galaxy Macau, billed as a ‘world class’ resort with an ‘Asian heart’. Galaxy Macau is likely to be the only major casino to open in Macau this year—although Sands China is scheduled to open properties on Cotai plots 5 and 6 by the end of 2011, most analysts believe construction delays will push back the openings to mid-2012. The HK$ 14.9 billion (US$1.91 billion) Galaxy Macau sits on the eastern side of Cotai. It includes three hotels—Banyan Tree, Okura and Galaxy Hotel, which will all commence operations on 15th May and offer 2,250 rooms in total. GEG said Galaxy Macau will open with 1,100 slots and 450 table games, with one third of tables designated for VIP play. The property’s 39,000 square meter gaming facility has capacity to house up to 600 gaming tables and 1,500 slots if the market demands further gaming capacity. GEG currently operates around 500 tables at its existing casinos in Macau, so Galaxy Macau is set to almost double that figure. Last year, the Macau government set a cap on the numbers of gaming tables in Macau at 5,500 until 2013. With 4,791 tables operating in the market at the end of 2010, there is room for just over 700 more tables, Making Waves Galaxy Entertainment Group believes its soon-to-open Cotai resort will draw more leisure-focused visitors to Macau Space to unwind—all of Banyan Tree Macau’s rooms will be equipped with in-suite relaxation pools