Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING MARCH 2018 16 COVER STORY T HIS is vital in terms of the process of concession renewal,” stated MGM China’s CEO and Executive Director Grant Bowie at the grand opening of the company’s new Macau integrated resort, MGM Cotai. “The concession renewal will not be determined by how successful we are at running casinos, but by how successful we are at diversifying and allowing Macau to become more than just a gaming town. “On the peninsula we have a beautiful property (MGM Macau), even if it has a limited footprint. In Cotai we have had a greater opportunity to create something significant. We still have a small foot print but if you look at the way it’s been executed, everything we have tried to do is to create multiple uses for every space – multiple uses and opportunities to create more visitation to Macau to recognize the diversity and approve the appeal and attraction for Macau as a non-gaming destination. “When Edmund Ho opened up the concessions (in 2001) The timing of MGM Cotai’s long-awaited launch couldn’t be more significant. Twelve months later than originally planned due to a series of construction delays, it comes just two years shy of MGM’s Macau casino license expiring in 2020. “