Feb
19
Tabcorp breaks up with Virgin
Filed Under Macau, Cotai, Virgin, Tabcorp | Leave a Comment
That was quick.
Reuters is reporting that a source familiar with the Tabcorp / Virgin negotiations is claiming that the two companies have decided to end a partnership that would have had the two companies jointly develop a casino complex in Macau. (*more below the ads*)
Source: “We can’t see that (partnership) going anywhere. These things happen all the time”
This unnamed source also believes that Virgin is still talking to a number of other interested parties.
Source:”Virgin are obviously moving forward and still talking to partners”
The two most vital ingredients of a potential Virgin casino are still unknowns - location and concessionaire.
Jan
31
Melco PBL Tabcorp Macau Hotel & Casino is just too long of a name.
This article from The Australian is a few days old, but there are two things that need to be mentioned.
1) Tabcorp could be teaming up with Virgin to buid a casino resort in Macau according to the South China Post
- The Australian reports that, “It is understood that talks between Tabcorp and Virgin have been under way for several months”, and
- “if the Macau deal goes ahead, there is potential for the two companies to extend their partnership to other parts of Asia and Australia, as well as Las Vegas”, plus
- Tabcorp’s Matthew Slater “is said to have travelled to the UK, Macau and Las Vegas recently” (**more below the ads**)
2) Tabcorp may not be around long though
- Citicorp reported that speculation “abounds that Tabcorp is next to go” to fuel the rumors over the past month that Tabcorp was a takeover target, according to the paper
- Tabcorp’s possible suitor could be James Packer’s PBL
So, putting 2 and 2 together answers my previous question of who could be the manager of Virgin’s Macau Casino - Melco PBL. Now if I could just figure out why The Donald is no where to be seen yet.
Jan
27
Or how about “Macau’s British Invasion”
For those not from the US, those are famous US quotes from one of our many wars and from the Beatles invasion of the US music scene. Looks like they both apply to Macau now, as British billionaire Sir Richard Branson has decided he wants to hang at his own casino when he is not space travelling.
The Financial Times reported that Richard Branson’s Virgin Group plans a USD$3 billion hotel casino on 20 hectares of land in Macau that will feature 3 separate hotels. However, he does not have the land yet and he is not a Macau concession holder. Just a few minor issues issues though when you are a billionaire.
Discussing the project with the Financial Times, his majesty shared the following views:
“Existing resorts do not have enough greenery, swimming pools and all-round facilities for families.” (*more below the ads*)
“It is a massive captive market with 200m people in the vicinity able to visit Macao. But a lot of people with families do not go.”
“We have done a lot of market research but ultimately it is about gut-feeling and mine is that a Virgin casino in Macao will be a success.”
In addition, Branson said that he thinks a successful Macau casino will bolster his plans for a Vegas casino.
- Will the casino be on the Macau Peninsula or in Cotai?
- Who will Virgin get to manage its Macau casino?
- Why Macau instead of Vegas? (this is my biggest question)
- Where is The Donald? Is he next?
- And most importantly, will Sir Richard Branson provide the high quailty quotes that we have become accustomed to from our bickering Macau billionaires?