Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming July 2016 26 would be highly situational – all IRs are not created equal.” Mr Macomber, who has worked on casino projects in Europe and Asia as well as the US, acknowledges IRs are not the best approach to all opportunities but concludes the European market area “is long overdue for an IR, if for no other reason than they work – patrons, players and tourists like and respond to them.” Las Vegas Sands proposed EuroVegas outside Madrid as a US$30 billion complex with a dozen hotels, six casinos, multiple golf courses, a 20,000 seat indoor arena and sports facilities. But the project was scrapped in 2013 amid disagreements over regulatory issues, including the European Union-wide smoking ban in enclosed public places. (As a work around, some casinos now feature outdoor gaming areas, including Les Ambassadeuers with fire pits when London weather warrants). Citing EuroVegas, Mr Govertsen says, “Clearly, some of the smartest people in gaming think there is an opportunity if they get the regulatory structure right.” Mr Bartlett believes a successful European IR project “needs a 15,000 seat indoor stadium, large conference and exhibition facilities, marina (if possible), multiplex cinema and 3,000 guest rooms.” A location around Tarragona, on the coast outside Barcelona, where Melco International hopes to continue the bidding process, “would work,” Mr Bartlett says. “It has an international airport with connecting flights all over Europe … Catalonia is Spain’s most prosperous region, it’s close to France’s Cote D’Azur, has a port taking ocean-going cruise ships and could become Europe’s largest MICE offering.” “We are patiently waiting for the local government’s advice on the next steps and disclosure of timeline on the Tarragona proposal,” Melco International says. “We intend to keep working together with the Catalan government and all concerned stakeholders to make this project a reality of which Tarragona and its people can be proud.” Mr Macomber says an IR developer from anywhere can create a successful project in Europe. But Mr Govertsen notes, “Asian operators bring a book of Chinese business.” Travelers know a good book can be very comforting when traveling far from home. Feature In Focus Tarragona, near Barcelona in Spain, has been singled out as the perfect location for an integrated resort