The symbol of Macau is the lotus and the symbol of Macau gambling could be said to be casino mogul Stanley Ho. Faced with ever increasing competition in what was not so long ago his monopoly market, Ho is making his own marketing statement. His spectacular high-rise extension to the famous Grand Lisboa casino is in the shape of a giant golden lotus. It is opening in good time for the start of the Chinese spring festival holiday, or New Year, on 18 February.

This Sunday the new casino will open its doors to eagerly awaiting crowds. The building is so far the biggest in Macau, with 40 floors, and looms on the landscape close to the recently opened Wynn Macau. The Grand Lisboa will be giving away money in sufficient quantities to ensure a huge turnout of players – 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (US$1,300) every 15 minutes to random customers. Both Sands Macao and Wynn Macau were besieged by crowds at their openings, and the Grand Lisboa expects to be no different.

Stanley Ho is facing further competition in Macau in the shape of his own family. Son Lawrence Ho is in partnership with Australian PBL’s gaming division under James Packer, with three major casino projects in Macau, whilst daughter Pansy Ho is in a joint venture with MGM Mirage in the development of the US$1 billion MGM Grand Macau. The new Grand Lisboa casino with 200 gaming tables is a stake in the new expanding Macau gaming market, now worth US$6.9 billion and rising. (E-02.09.07)

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