Adelson 'aware of Macau in 2000'

2008-04-30 16:03:58

Sheldon Adelson believed he could create another Las Vegas in Macau as far back as the year 2000, it has been claimed.

Richard Suen made the revelations while making a statement to Clark County District Court, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The Hong Kong entrepreneur said he got in contact with Mr Adelson to discuss the possibilities that the fall of Stanley Ho's monopoly on the Chinese city's casino market would bring.

Mr Suen remarked: "I told him I have good news that the Macau gaming monopoly was being broken up.

"I said I have very good connections to help you get a license. He was interested and asked a lot of questions."

Mr Adelson's gaming operator Las Vegas Sands was at the forefront of Macau's evolution from small gambling destination to the most lucrative casino market in the world.

He opened Sands Macao there in 2004, adding a second casino, the Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel three years later.

Mr Suen is in court to pursue a civil action against Las Vegas Sands.