Inside Asian Gaming

IAG MAY 2022年5月 亞博匯 58 IN FOCUS stretch the rubber band right until breaking point to the point where you would just throw your hands up and walk away – then they would release the rubber band just a little bit. Then you’d know that the next month you would be in for the same process. I always thought the Chinese weremaster negotiators, but the Vietnamese – very, very difficult to deal with as a foreigner. IAG: Is the foreigner-only casino model sustainable? SM: It is very difficult to be successful under the foreigner- only model. It’s very, very challenging. You need the local market if you are going to make the business reach its budget and objectives. I’d have to say it’s even harder today with COVID and the restrictions China has placed on its citizens. IAG: Is the minimum US$2 billion investment level for foreign companies wanting to develop an integrated resort with a casino too high? SM: I’ve always said it is too high and unreasonable. The figures we have always spoken about are more around the US$400 million to US$500 million mark, and in today’s market that’s even more relevant given the