Robert Goldstein, the chief executive of Las Vegas Sands, declared that the organization will persist in patiently awaiting investment prospects in the online gambling sector, rather than hastily entering into any ventures.
Goldstein conveyed this during a conference call with investors subsequent to the release of the company’s 2021 financial results. This followed a query from Robin Farley, an analyst at UBS, who highlighted the decline in valuations of numerous online enterprises since Sands initially expressed interest in the sector. Farley inquired about the implications of this trend for Sands’ current strategies.
Goldstein asserted that the industry’s share price slump has coincided with the recovery of Sands’ core operations.
“I believe we have previously stated our interest in the digital realm and the developments unfolding within the marketplace,” he remarked. “However, two simultaneous occurrences have transpired. I perceive that our business is regaining strength. I anticipate that 2022, particularly in Singapore and Macau, will witness a turnaround. Our financial position speaks volumes, and we are closely monitoring the digital equities and the challenges they face.”
The corporation established a team dedicated to exploring digital investment opportunities in the preceding year.
The executive stated that although a time for a settlement might arrive, enterprises would persist in “waiting patiently.”
He elaborated that while a time for an accord might come, the firm would persevere in “waiting patiently.” “I am convinced that sports wagering and online gaming will ultimately be a very prosperous enterprise, and we will continue to monitor this prospect,” he stated. “We will wait patiently.”
“In the last six to eight months, it has not been a poor strategy to wait and observe how events unfold, and there has been a considerable amount of turmoil.
“The query is when will this scenario ameliorate? I believe it will improve, and it is an entry point for us, and we will continue to observe this possibility. But it is not a poor strategy to wait and see how things evolve.”
Chief Operating Officer Patrick Dumont added that the company is examining numerous distinct digital investment prospects, encompassing “a range of diverse markets” and different digital verticals.
Simultaneously, in Sands’ primary market of Macau, gambling legislation is poised to be entirely revamped by a new law currently under review by the Legislative Assembly, which passed its initial reading earlier this week. The law will effectively maintain the number of operators in the market at six, despite the government’s initial contemplation of reducing the number of concessions in its consultation on the bill.
However, the new legislation will also enforce stringent new limitations on exclusive gaming areas, permitting only a single gaming enterprise to manage them and restricting the quantity of gaming tables, connecting it to the income produced by each table.
Sheldon Adelson, the head of Las Vegas Sands, highlighted that the legislation remains somewhat unclear on the latter provision and that businesses need to grasp more about how the regulation functions before they can determine its effect.
Concerning exclusive gaming areas, Goldstein stated that the high-roller clientele attracted by exclusive gaming area operators “will not vanish into thin air.” He asserted that, consequently, demand “will rebound in different segments and discover new methods to be realized in casinos, as is the case in any industry.”
In other domains, executives also discussed fresh markets for Sands’ land-based operations. This week, rival Wynn Resorts declared plans to develop the initial integrated resort in the Middle East in the United Arab Emirates, and Dumont stated that Sands would closely observe the move to ascertain if it could take steps to enter that market.
“I comprehend why Wynn would be interested there,” he remarked. “It’s a substantial tourism market with vast potential. To be fair, it’s the economic hub of the region.
“Therefore, in terms of opportunity, we all understand why they would be interested there.
“Therefore, we will continue to observe and see.”
However, our firm possesses a multitude of excellent markets.”
Within the United States, Goldstein stated that the company is seeking to obtain one of the three gambling licenses in New York, which would grant them the authority to establish a casino in New York City. He asserted that this would constitute a substantial market for their operations.
Goldstein also mentioned that Las Vegas Sands is actively pursuing opportunities in Florida, where they are gathering signatures in support of legislation that would authorize expanded gambling. He further indicated that in Texas, the company is hopeful of discovering a means to enter the market, but acknowledged that this market is likely the furthest from a resolution.