SJM Chairman Ambrose So Shu Fai said that the construction of Grand Lisboa Palace in Cotai was expected to be completed by the end of next year, ready for its official opening in 2018.
So made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of attending the gaming company’s annual scholarship awards event, which this year granted scholarships to 42 children of SJM staff members.
Asked about construction progress at the company’s first Cotai resort project, So said SJM had been doing its best to ensure that the project stays on track.
“The construction work will be completed at the end of 2017 and we hope that it can be open in 2018,” So said, pointing out that when the casino-hotel resort opens, it would feature a raft of non-gaming elements to attract customers.
According to So, the Grand Lisboa Palace casino will have room for up to 700 gaming tables.
“We have a 700-table capacity but I don’t know if we can fill that through the allotment of [gaming] tables from the government,” So said, adding he hoped SJM will be “treated fairly” when the government allocates gaming tables among the city’s six rival gaming operators.
So also said that renovation work at Jai Alai was slated to be completed in October, and by the time the property will have got its various permits and licences to operate, the complex would be able to reopen its doors to the public at the end of the year.
The Jai Alai adjacent to the Oceanus casino has been undergoing renovations for three years, and when complete it will reportedly include a shopping centre as well as accommodation and gaming facilities.
With Wynn Palace opening later this month and The Parisian opening next month, So said that in the short term the two new resorts would have a “small” impact on SJM’s business.
