Inside Asian Gaming

IAG NOV 2022年11月 亞博匯 70 1-10 8 PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sands China 總裁及執行董事 金沙中國 POWER SCORE 權能指數: 1,251 POSITION LAST YEAR 去年排名: 6 WILFRED WONG 王英偉 CLAIMS TO FAME 名成事跡 Experienced government and political operator with mainland China connections Extensive work in property development 擁有政府及政治運作的經驗，在中國內地具有人脈 具備大量物業發展經驗 AT 69 YEARS of age, it might well be argued that Sands China’s President and Executive Director Wilfred Wong doesn’t have anything left to prove in a distinguished career that has seen him rank among the region’s real movers and shakers. But if he is to drift off into retirement in the coming years, he has one more vitally important task to see through before he does so. First recruited by Sands China as President and COO back in November 2015, one of Wong’s top priorities has been overseeing the company’s re-tender bid – including discussions with Macau and Chinese authorities during the current negotiation phase. Given the hurdles the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up and increasing anti- gambling rhetoric coming out of the mainland, making the most of Wong’s connections and gravitas has never been more important. Of course, easing the current pandemic-induced environment in Macau is proving a far more difficult task. Under Wong’s watch, Sands China last year launched its US$2 billion Sands Cotai Central renovation project, rebranding it as The Londoner Macao to sit alongside fellow Cotai Strip properties The Venetian Macao and The Parisian Macao as a trio of European-themed resorts. While the revamp is impressive in scope, there has been little opportunity to analyze performance and there is genuine concern that the city’s subdued visitation will continue for years to come given China’s strict adherence to COVID-zero. At least Sands has the backing of a much larger parent in Las Vegas Sands – complete with a US$6.25 billion stockpile of cash following the sale of its Las Vegas assets.