Hong Kong-listed Century Entertainment International Holdings Ltd says it hopes to launch mass table gaming operations at a new casino in Dara Sakor, Cambodia by late April.
Opening of the new casino at which listed Century Entertainment is relocating its gaming table business from Sihanoukville has been delayed as a result of a recent COVID-19 outbreak in Cambodia. Originally scheduled for February, the opening date was first postponed until March and now for another month as the number of COVID-19 cases stemming from this latest wave of infections nears 2,000.
In a Wednesday filing, Century Entertainment said it has been informed by the owner that it has decided to defer the re-opening preparation works of the new casino due to various lockdown measures across the country.
“Upon further enquiry, the Company was given to understand that necessary decoration and equipment installation have been completed for the New Gaming Tables but pending for systems testing and provision of training to casino staff,” the company said.
“Upon further negotiation, in view of the current strict lockdown measures imposed to address the February 20 Community Incident, it is believed that the [lockdown] would not last for too long and subject to the development of the February 20 Community Incident, the New Casino will strive for re-opening on or before late April 2021.”
The origins of Cambodia’s COVID-19 outbreak is commonly referred to as the “February 20 Incident”, which saw four Chinese nationals bribe their way out of a quarantine hotel and visit a series of nightclubs. Two of those Chinese nationals later tested positive.
Century Entertainment had originally signed a five-year deal with Lion King Entertainment Company Ltd – a company wholly-owned by its CEO Ng Man Sun and which will run the casino in question – in 2019 to operate four gaming tables at his casino in Sihanoukville.
However, casino operations were forced to shut down in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Ng later revealing he had received a more attractive offer to move his casino to Dara Sakor.
The new location will cover a gross floor area of 10,500 square with 20 mass gaming tables, seven tables for niu-niu poker, 10 tables for baccarat including Century Entertainment’s assignment, one table each for blackjack, sicbo and poker, 25 VIP tables, 50 EGMs and a Chinese restaurant.
