Yesterday Las Vegas Sands said that the US$5.4 billion Marina Bay Sands development in Singapore is fully funded and on track to open its doors to the public in December. The announcement followed a press release naming Friday, 22 May 2009 as the day the company is to launch Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, with a Grand Opening on 9 June. The May date is subject to final approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the successful completion of two pre-opening test nights.

Situated on the former site of the historic Bethlehem Steel plant in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and located approximately 60 minutes from Philadelphia and the northern New Jersey suburbs and 90 minutes from New York City, Sands Bethlehem will debut with 3,000 state-of-the-art slot machines and a variety of entertainment and dining options, including a 24-hour Cafe, an authentic Irish pub, a gourmet market place featuring a wide selection of cuisines, and a world renowned celebrity chef steak house.

Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. said, "With its close proximity to New York, Philadelphia, and the northern New Jersey suburbs, we are confident Sands Bethlehem will quickly establish itself as one of the region's top gaming and entertainment destinations." He added, "The positive impact of the Sands Bethlehem is already being felt across the region as we continue to hire the more than 1,000 employees we need to operate the property. These direct jobs, and the hundreds of indirect jobs that will be created to provide ancillary support for the property, will hopefully serve as a strong catalyst for local economic growth.”

The company’s projects in Macau, however, are on hold and construction at two sites was halted at the end of last year. Marina Bay Sands, the first casino in Singapore, should be ready in December with hotel towers, art and science museum and retail stores as well as gambling facilities. Las Vegas Sands is confident that its Marina Bay development will be a financial success despite the expected fall in visitor numbers – by as much as 19% - to Singapore. (E-03.05.09)

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