SJM Holdings says it has been authorized by Macau’s gaming regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) to request the transfer of additional gaming tables from its other properties as the company prepares for the launch its HK$39 billion (US$5 billion) Cotai integrated resort Grand Lisboa Palace today.
As reported by Inside Asian Gaming earlier this week, GLP will welcome its first guests from midday, albeit with only a limited number of facilities open ahead of a larger Phase 2 launch later in the year.
In a Thursday filing, SJM confirmed it had been approved to open with 150 new mass market gaming tables only – none for VIP – although it can request more be moved from any of its four other “self-promoted” casinos or 14 satellite casinos.
“SJM has … been authorized by the DICJ to request the transfer of additional gaming tables to Casino Grand Lisboa Palace from other casinos operated by SJM,” it said.
“The DICJ also approved the installation of 1,200 new slot machines with specific limits on the numbers that can be installed and be in operation at the time of opening.”
In a separate press release sent overnight, SJM highlighted some of the attractions and facilities that will open from today, including the 1,350-room Grand Lisboa Palace Macau hotel tower whose décor, the company said, reinterprets the city’s “heritage patterns and motifs in wood, porcelain, and vibrant lacquer with bronze metal accents, complemented by bespoke art pieces depicting old and new Macau.”
The rooms overlook either Cotai or the European-styled gardens Jardim Secreto.
Also open is a wellness center with a 25-meter indoor pool, an indoor and outdoor event space covering 3,800 square meters and a handful of F&B outlets, namely The Grand Buffet, contemporary Portuguese restaurant Mesa, classic tea house Chalou, Taiwanese hotpot restaurant Wulao and casual dining options Eight Treasures and GLP Lobby Lounge.
“Grand Lisboa Palace has been a much-awaited milestone for us at SJM, and we are thrilled to welcome guests to enjoy our facilities that deliver world-class lifestyle experiences along with a flavour of the East-meets-West cultural uniqueness that is synonymous with Macau,” said SJM Chairman Daisy Ho.
“Over the next few months, more facilities will continue to be added to Grand Lisboa Palace’s bouquet of legendary offerings as part of a rolling launch.
“A monumental amount of effort has gone into making this project a reality and it is our attempt to diversify Macau’s tourism landscape by bringing in never-before-seen elements.
“We remain committed to redefining hospitality standards in the industry and supporting the Macau SAR Government in its agenda to develop Macau into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”
