With Monday’s deadline for the submission of forms and deposit fast approaching, there is no definite news on how many bidders there will be for the Sentosa Island integrated resort. Final plans are not due until October but next week the uncertainty over the Harrah’s Entertainment/Keppel Land project will be resolved. Much of the Asian media has already dismissed the possibility of Harrah’s going for another bite at the Singapore cherry, citing the redeployment of personnel who had worked on the Marina Bay bid. However, Harrah’s and Keppel Land maintain that they are still considering, reviewing and evaluating their position.

Other possible contenders for the Sentosa licence are less reticent. CapitaLand, which is partnering Bahamas-based Kerzner International, is reported to be pushing ahead with its application. Eighth Wonder with Isle of Capri Casinos and Starwood Hotels & Resorts has also confirmed it will bid. Genting International of Malaysia, in association with Universal Studios, is also expected to be paying out the S$400,000 deposit on Monday. However, there has been little comment from South Africa’s Sun International on any intention to submit a bid.

Earlier this week it was revealed that Harrah’s is one of the US gaming giants invited to begin talks with Japan on possible casino operations after 2010. Unlike its rivals, Harrah’s has yet to break into the Asian market. The first Singapore licence was awarded to Las Vegas Sands, a company that has already struck it rich in Macau. Wynn Resorts, which should open the Wynn Macau in September, decided against bidding for a Singapore licence. MGM Mirage, like Harrah’s unsuccessful in its Marina Bay bid, is developing the MGM Grand Macau scheduled to open late next year.

Genting International, which had expressed confidence that it would be chosen for the Marina Bay project, will perhaps be the only company to submit bids for both Singapore sites. Genting and sister company Star Cruises have around 97,000 agents globally that could sell the island destination to tourists, and Genting has over 20 years experience in developing, operating and marketing international integrated resorts. Once again any bid it makes will face stiff competition, particularly from resort developer par excellence Kerzner.

At present it is still unknown if Harrah’s, which has just reported record second quarter results, will risk the massive outlay required to make a second attempt to enter the Singapore market. Other groups pulled out in earlier stages, unconvinced that Singapore would prove to be a lucrative market with so many government restrictions. On Monday the decisions will have been made and revealed. Following the submission of projects by the contenders in October, the Singapore Government is expected to name the winning bid before the end of the year. (E-07.27.06)

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