Genting opens 4 hotels at Resorts World Sentosa

Published: 2010/01/21

SINGAPORE: Malaysian gaming giant Genting opened four premium hotels at a US$ 4.4 billion (US$1 = RM3.35) resort in Singapore in preparation for the launch of a casino and a Universal Studios theme park.

Company executives cut a ribbon to inaugurate the hotels at the Resorts World Sentosa complex at 8:18am, an auspicious time whose Cantonese pronunciation sounds like "to prosper".

Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Crockfords Tower and Hotel Michael together offer 1,350 rooms and 10 restaurants. They are located on the hilly islet of Sentosa, linked by a causeway to the southern tip of Singapore.

Genting Group chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said his company was still working with the Singapore authorities on finalising the casino licence and gave no date for the start of gambling operations.

"As far as the casino licence is concerned, we are still working closely with the authorities through their checks and inspections," Lim told reporters after the opening ceremonies for the hotels.

"So in other words, we are still going through the motions. We are waiting for the gaming licence to be issued."

A government agency said Genting Singapore plc may get the operating licence for its casino by the end of February or in March, according to Bloomberg.

The Casino Regulatory Authority received Resorts World Sentosa's complete licence application in December, Vivian Heng, the authority's spokeswoman, said in an e-mail.

"Based on the experience of other jurisdictions, typically such probity investigations may take about three months or more if all the documentation is complete and in order," Heng said.

"We have made good progress and are confident that we will clear the steps in good time."

High-rollers can stay at the opulent Crockfords Tower, which boasts 120 invitation-only suites with 24-hour personal butler services, a large "magic mirror" that doubles up as a television screen, and a personal steam room.

Lim said a decision by Universal Studios to build its biggest theme park in Asia in South Korea was unlikely to negatively affect the US film giant's attraction in Singapore, which is part of the Sentosa casino complex.

Universal on Tuesday signed a deal with South Korean partners to build its largest theme park in Asia at a cost of around 3 trillion won (US$2.67 billion).

Its Singapore park is expected to open by March.

"It's good for the industry overall," Lim said of the South Korean project.

A marine life park, a maritime museum, a spa and two more hotels will be launched at Resorts World Sentosa after 2010.

Marina Bay Sands, another Singapore casino resort, is scheduled to open in April following construction delays. It is being built by US-based Las Vegas Sands.

Singapore gave the go ahead for casino gambling in 2005.

Resorts World Sentosa chief executive Tan Hee Teck said he was confident the resort will live up to its promise of drawing more tourists to Sentosa.

"We will literally transform the whole tourism industry here in Singapore," Tan told reporters. - AFP, Bloomberg