Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JUN 2022年6月 亞博匯 26 COVER STORY SINGAPORE Much like the Philippines, Singapore has wasted no time in reopening its borders and pushing for life to return to normal. In fact, the sovereign state was the first major Asian jurisdiction to welcome back international tourists when it launched a Vaccinated Travel Lane Scheme last October for arrivals from around a dozen nations. Border restrictions for vaccinated travellers have now been removed altogether – since 26 April tourists no longer even need a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure. Restrictions on group sizes in public venues have also been dropped. Both IR operators – Las Vegas Sands and Genting Singapore – printed sequential improvements in 1Q22 but expect the recovery trajectory to accelerate over the coming months with LVS Chairman and CEO Rob Goldstein predicting Marina Bay Sands would soar back over US$1 billion in EBITDA in 2022. “I think Singapore is back and will experience the same post-COVID numbers as the US in my opinion,” he said during the company’s 1Q22 earnings call. “The demand is there and will continue, assuming no more surprises from the pandemic.” Suppliers IAG spoke with said the two Singaporean IRs were already looking at refreshing their floors with new hardware this year – other jurisdictions are taking a wait-and-see approach – and have resumed significant player promotions. “That’s a strong sign that the market is back,” says IGT’s Sales Director, Asia, Michael Cheers. Marina Bay Sands 濱海灣金沙