Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming August 2015 16 Feature In Focus N early everyone believes that Macau will allow the six current casino concessionaires to continue for another term. “All the concessionaires and subconcessionaires far exceeded the expectations of 2001/2002, and together created the world’s largest market,” Macau gaming law expert Jorge Godinho says. However, not every concessionaire has contributed equally to Macau’s transition from a seedy gaming footnote to the global gaming capital, and some bring more baggage than others. The consensus among sources that spoke to Inside Asian Gaming on and off the record is that Galaxy Entertainment Group and SJM Holdings are all but certainties for concession renewal. Galaxy has invested in both the peninsula and Cotai and plans a non-gaming resort on neighboring Hengqin island, a cross border cooperative development project dear to mainland and Macau authorities. The May opening of its $3 billion Galaxy Macau Phase 2, along with the renovated Grand Waldo rechristened Broadway Macau, increases GEG’s Cotai hotel room count by more than 1,500 to 4,000, expands its signature Resort Deck with water park rides, and adds entertainment features such as Broadway’s 3,000-seat theater and a Macau-themed food and entertainment district. The expansion fits government goals of boosting non-gaming attractions and aiding local small- and medium- Odds favor concession renewal, unless… Status Quo Bias Galaxy has invested in both the peninsula and Cotai and plans a non-gaming resort on neighboring Hengqin island, a cross border cooperative development project dear to mainland and Macau authorities.