Hong Kong-listed casino services company Macau Legends Development Inc. has changed its expansion to its casino location in Laos, Saban Legends Resort Hotel and Entertainment Complex, to mid-August when it “partially” opened, a company executive told GGRAsia.
In June last year, the company noted that it aims for a soft launch for expansion in the first quarter of this year. A filing in April stated that the property would operate in the “half of this year.”
Saban Legend is in Savannachet, near the border with Thailand. Casino gambling is not allowed within the latter country.
“The border closure is causing some delays in the second phase of Savannachet [Saban Legend],” said Sheldon Trainer, executive director of Macau Legends. He referred to the border between Laos and Thailand and the steps taken to control people’s movement during the COVID-19 emergency.
“At the moment, we plan to partially open Phase 2 in mid-August and fully open in late September. Phase 2 expansion includes 40 suites for golfers, additional games, F&B [food and beverage] outlets, swimming pools and spas, and an advanced driving range,” Mr Trainer added.
In its 2019 annual report, published in late April, Macau Legends noted that two new projects in Laos, Saban Legends Phase 2 and another gaming venue, “Taket Club,” should run by “the second half of 2020.” The second phase of the Saban Legends complex will have a boutique hotel brand called “The Suites,” according to the annual report.
Thakhet Club, a slot machine stadium, is located in Thakhek, the capital of Laos’ Kammuane province, which shares a border with Thailand marked by the path of the Mekong River.
“We are planning to open the Takek Slot Club first and then the Savannaket [Saban Legend] Casino later,” Mr. Trainor said. The Takek gaming venue will be phased in and will feature “slots, interactive tables, 44 rooms, and some F&B outlets,” the Macau Legend executive said.
Macau Legends began “cleaning up the situation” at Saban Legends in mid-March before the Lao government mandated the closure of all game venues in the country on April 1, Mr Trainor noted.
Laos announced on May 15 that it had eased some restrictions as there were no new COVID-19 infections for 33 consecutive days, according to media reports. Starting this Monday, public institutions and businesses were able to reopen with infection precautions in place. Amusement facilities, including nightclubs, karaoke bars, movie theaters and casinos, were forced to close.
Mr Trainor said he could not give a date for when the casinos in Saban Legend could reopen at the moment. That was because it was unclear when the border between Laos and Thailand would reopen. However, the executive noted that Macau Legends had devised a sanitation system to implement once it was allowed to offer games to customers in Laos.
BY: 릴게임
