Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson could be looking to expand his casino empire into North Korea, if a report by Casino News Daily is to be believed.
According to the US-based online news site, Adelson hinted at the possibility of doing business in North Korea during a speech at an event organized by non-profit organization Taglit-Birthright Israel in Jerusalem, which arranges free trips to young Jewish adults to “strengthen their identity”. Adelson and wife Miriam are among the organization’s biggest donors.
The casino mogul reportedly stated that he hoped US President Donald Trump could help “North and South Korea finish the war” and that he wanted to return to North Korea to “open up business.” The comment apparently refers to the possibility of constructing a new integrated resort in the Asian nation.
If accurate, Adelson’s comments could be related to the recent meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during which Kim is believed to have broached the possibility of the US investing in a new casino resort in the Wonsan Special Tourist Zone.
As reported previously by Inside Asian Gaming, Kim is said to be eyeing the possibility of building the casino, described as an “international tourism complex” in order to boost tourism to the country, with the government anticipating it could raise revenue of up to US$50 million annually.
