Posts Tagged ‘Marina Bay Sands’

Southeast Asia drives regional gaming growth

December 6, 2023

A visit to Malaysia’s Resorts World Genting, Asia’s first integrated resort, after early trips to Singapore and the Philippines, adds to evidence that Southeast Asia is the new engine of regional gaming growth. The ASEAN group combines new resorts, an increasingly wealth population and attractive resorts, with more on the way. Watch this space for more coverage of this intriguing destination.

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is Asia editor at large for iGaming Business, a longtime contributor to Forbes, columnist for Asia Times and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about TV news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his biography, archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook, Twitter @MuhammadCohen and LinkedIn.

Don’t bet on casinos benefiting New York City

June 6, 2023

Proposed New York City casino sites include Times Square in a renovated office building.

I visited Singapore last week for the G2E Asia gaming conference and trade show, held at Marina Bay Sands. MBS remains the most impressive and profitable casino resort on earth, symbol of a Singapore that’s grown past chewing gum bans. Crosstown rival Resorts World Sentosa draws domestic and international visitors with Universal Studios and other attractions.

Casino licenses on offer for New York City and vicinity should inspire similarly sensational integrated resorts. But the licenses will likely produce no-frills cash boxes, bringing the city more of what it doesn’t need. Without a major policy rethink, the city will be better off without them.

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is Asia editor at large for iGaming Business, a longtime contributor to Forbes, columnist for Asia Times and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about TV news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook, Twitter @MuhammadCohen and LinkedIn.

Marina Bay Sands drives LVS performance

November 8, 2022

The world’s most admired casino resort, seen from Gardens by the Bay. (Credit: Marina Bay Sands)

As Macau continues to struggle under the zero-Covid regime, Singapore icon Marina Bay Sands keeps driving Las Vegas Sands’ financial performance. In an exclusive interview, MBS chief operating officer Paul Town explains how the common interests and shared purpose of the resort and its Singapore host community key the integrated resort’s lasting success.

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is Asia editor at large for ICE365, a longtime contributor to Forbes, columnist for Asia Times and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about TV news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook, Twitter @MuhammadCohen and LinkedIn.

New York City casino economics: 1>3

January 15, 2022

A single New York City casino license may produce a gaming changing entertainment destination like Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. (Photo credit: Marina Bay Sands)

A multibillion dollar casino complex in New York City would give the region a much needed economic jolt in the wake of Covid. But if New York State issues the three casino licenses permitted by law for the downstate metro area, New York City won’t get a showplace integrated resort worthy of the leading US market. A single license is New York’s best bet for tourism, business and jobs.

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a columnist for ICE 365, a contributor to Forbes, columnist/correspondent for Asia Times, and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Singapore icon set for expansion

March 26, 2020

Heading the symbol of 21st century Singapore, Marina Bay Sands President and CEO George Tanasijevich maps out expansion strategy for the world’s most profitable casino resort.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming, contributor to Forbes, columnist/correspondent for Asia Times, and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Nearly perfect 10 in Singapore

February 4, 2020

In their first decade, Singapore’s casino resorts have largely delivered what the government hoped for. Expansion of both resorts is coming on the government’s terms.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming, contributor to Forbes, columnist/correpsondent for Asia Times, and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Japan keeps creeping toward casinos

June 29, 2019

Every phase of Japan’s casino legalization faces new delays without resolving lingering issues that could threaten the success of the initiative.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Singapore gets what it wants from casinos

June 12, 2019

Singapore got an image makeover and economic boost by mandating key attractions to surround casinos, a plan Japan and Macau hope to emulate in their upcoming casino licensing exercises.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Singapore casino growth carries steep price

April 22, 2019

Amid stagnating revenue, Singapore’s casino resorts get permission to expand but must invest a combined US$6.6 billion and endure substantial tax increases in return.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Adelson illness won’t shift Sands from Japan

March 5, 2019

Casino giant Las Vegas Sands won a casino concession in Macau with founder, chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson sidelined and can do it again in Japan. LVS says Adelson, age 85, remains engaged in the business while undergoing cancer treatment.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.