Inside Asian Gaming

consultative process calls for sports betting on a limited number of events including some European soccer, and in limited venues around Vietnam and for a limited amount [of stake money]— US$50 a day. We see it as a very interesting development because obviously it legalises and regulates something that has likely been going on underground and illegally. At Asian Coast Development Ltd we would welcome with open arms the ability to have sports betting on our site. But I think it’s going to be a step by step process, and I don’t think that we, sitting here today, can guarantee we will have that. How would you summarise your feelings about this project? GA : We’re incredibly proud and honoured to be part of this project and to put our brand on the MGM Grand Ho Tram. We’ve been visiting the site quite often and seeing the incredible team that’s been built. Our employees over the years have found MGM the best place to work in the industry and our Vietnamese employees will find the same open arms in MGM Grand Ho Tram. I think it’s going to be an extraordinary success when we open in the first quarter of 2013. “When they see the MGM card and logo, people’s eyes light up. It really creates a buzz.” – John Shigley JS : We’ll have a lot to offer not only to the gaming customers who come from all over the world, but also the local people here in Vietnam. We’ll offer them a level of entertainment and a quality of service that they haven’t previously experienced here in Vietnam. We’re also working with local schools on the staff recruiting and internship aspects of the business and working with a lot of local vendors and providers of tourist services. When they see the MGM card and logo, people’s eyes light up. It really creates a buzz. LN : Vietnam is a country where 65% of the population are under the age of 35. When you talk about ‘being in the right place at the right time,’ that applies absolutely to Vietnam. Demographically, there’s an expansion of people with more and more disposable income, and people who want to spend that income—and that doesn’t have to be on the gaming, but on the non-gaming amenities that we will create. We’re on schedule to open our first resort in Q1 2013. We’re working on level nine of the high rise. The clout of MGM both in terms of marketing and reach should not be underestimated. They’ve been doing business in Asia for 30 years. They have a huge marketing organisation around the world. And what Gamal has achieved with the Hospitality division in such a short space of time is nothing short of miraculous. He has planted flags with the MGM brand all over the world and it’s clearly going to be of great advantage to us here at Asian Coast Development Ltd. To have the operator of our first resort having all these different marketing channels—including their hotels around the world; some of them in mainland China—is going to help bring people to our resort. Finally, the selection of John—such a highly talented veteran executive—as president of the property is also a testament to MGM’s commitment to the project. MGM Grand Ho Tram Building dreams—and a new team of staff—at Ho Tram