First American operated Casino opens in Macao

The Sands Macao, a one million-square-foot casino and entertainment complex, made history today by opening the first American operated gaming facility in The People’s Republic of China’s Special Administrative Region of Macao.

The Sands Macao is located in the one-time Portuguese colony of Macao on China’s southeastern coast. The luxurious new casino is set amid six acres of lush waterfront gardens and flanked by gold reflective windows.

“The opening of the Sands Macao represents the beginning of an exciting new era for the people of Macao and a tremendous opportunity for Macao to position itself as the entertainment destination of choice for the world’s fastest growing economy and most populous country: the People’s Republic of China,” said Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, Inc., parent company of the Sands Macao and The Venetian in Las Vegas. “The Macao government and Las Vegas Sands, Inc.’s vision for Macao is bold and ambitious, and today, working arm-in-arm, we have realized part of that vision by opening a world-class entertainment complex at the doorstep of the People’s Republic of China.”

The Sands Macao features a gaming area that will open with 277 table games, including 11 Paiza Club private VIP tables, and 405 slot machines; gradually the Sands will add another 114 slots - all specifically designed for the Asian market. Also included is the 300-foot 888 Las Vegas Buffet, featuring Thai, Indian, Japanese, Malaysian and Vietnamese food, as well as six different regional Chinese cuisine’s. The dining venues emphasize the most popular regional cuisine and include a Cantonese restaurant, a Shanghai-style restaurant, a Macanese restaurant, and a “Las Vegas-style” steakhouse.

“Macao is on the verge of becoming the world’s top revenue-producing gaming market,” said William Weidner, president and COO of Las Vegas Sands. “Travel to Macao has increased explosively in recent years and every indication is these numbers will continue to rise. With more than three billion people within a five hour flight, Macao is poised to become the gaming and leisure destination of choice for a significant part of the world’s population.”

Weidner said the strength of the Chinese economy clearly bodes well for the future of Macao as a gaming and leisure destination. Weidner noted China’s Gross Domestic Product has risen from $422 billion in 1993 to over $1.4 trillion in 2003. In addition, Weidner cited statistics showing Macao’s casino revenue rose from less than $2 billion in 2000 to $3.6 billion in 2003 and could approach $5 billion in 2004 – leaving it only slightly behind Las Vegas in terms of casino revenue.

The Sands Macao, the first stage of Las Vegas Sands’ development plans in Macao, has several upscale touches designed to attract Asia’s premium gaming guests. Like the legendary Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan’s venerable Paiza – his personal pass to the riches of his empire – elite guests of the Sands Macao will discover the glitter and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip matched with the incredible wealth and worldly sensibilities of the Orient.

The invitation-only Paiza memberships will allow VIP guests access to private jets, limousine, helicopter, and jetfoil services, a 24-hour concierge; private entrances, exclusive entertainment lounges, VIP high-limit gaming areas, exclusive VIP gaming parlors for premium players, cigar bars, wine tasting areas, and private dining.

Later this summer, the Sands will open 51 luxurious suites, a full service spa and salon, several additional restaurants, bars and entertainment areas, and a 24-hour tea terrace – serving more than 200 quality teas. The 51 premium suites at the Sands Macao range in size from 1,000 square feet to 8,000 square feet. The suites include in-room massage areas, in-room saunas, karaoke rooms, state of the art entertainment centers with multiple plasma screen televisions and digital surround sound, private plunge pools, butler service, access to hundreds of premium teas, remote-controlled drapes, lighting, and audio-visual equipment, custom hand-woven carpets, custom-designed furnishings and lighting, and whirlpool Jacuzzis with panoramic views of Macao’s Outer Harbour.