Macau gaming concessionaire SJM is in negotiations with the government to launch gaming operations at Lisboeta Macau, according to Vice-Chairman and CEO Ambrose So.
Lisboeta, located alongside SJM’s new HK$39 billion Cotai integrated resort Grand Lisboa Palace, opened some attractions, including an indoor skydiving facility, a zipline and some retail, on Saturday. The property is operated by Macau Theme Park And Resort (MTPR), a company owned by SJM Holdings Co-Chairman and Executive Director Angela Leong and overseen by her son, Arnaldo Ho.
In an interview with Hong Kong-based Chinese-language media outlet Ming Pao, So said SJM has been discussing the possibility of operating a casino at Lisboeta under a self-promoted model.
SJM currently operates five self-promoted casinos, including Grand Lisboa on the Macau Peninsula, while 14 satellite casinos are run by external operators under SJM’s license. One of those, Diamond Casino, will next month come back under SJM’s direct control after its operator revealed last week it was no longer able to continue.
News of SJM’s Lisboeta ambitions comes after Arnaldo Ho had previously insisted the property was a theme park rather than an integrated resort and would not feature any gaming facilities.
So told Ming Pao this week that under SJM’s revised plan, Lisboeta would look to operate a casino targeting a different type of customer than those being sought by neighboring Grand Lisboa Palace. His comments suggest Lisboeta would target the mass market with GLP focusing more on the premium end of the market.
Lisboeta covers 141,000 square meters with architecture inspired by local landmarks such as Macau’s first casino, Hotel Estoril, the floating casino Macau Palace and the city’s streets as they were last century.
Once fully operational it will include three hotels, totalling 820 rooms, with 574 rooms at Lisboeta Hotel, 164 at Maison L’Occitane and 82 at Casa de Amigo.
