Studio City to transform Macau market with massive non-gaming attractions
BY ROGER GROS
It ’ s not a complete coincidence that the Chinese government crackdown on corruption has stymied the VIP business in the Macau casinos . For years , the Macau government has been urging the casino companies to de-emphasize the VIP market and focus on the mass and premium mass ( the visitors that fall between middle class and “ whales ”) by developing non-gaming attractions .
But it proved difficult to convince casinos to turn their back on 70 percent of their gaming revenues . So when a Chinese edict to reduce corruption on the mainland spilled over into Macau , the casino companies had no choice but to sharpen their focus on the mass market .
In reality , however , the Cotai casinos have always featured more than just gaming . The first , the Venetian , offers massive MICE facilities and retail . Later , Galaxy and City of
Dreams added entertainment and other features like upscale hotel suites and innovative pools .
But there has been nothing in Macau like Macau Studio City , a property largely owned by Melco Crown International , which also owns City of Dreams and Altira in Macau . Studio City is poised to redefine what it means to develop non-gaming attractions .
Just a few years ago , Melco Crown rescued the dormant project , which ground to a halt because of financial roadblocks in the first frenzy of Macau development . But outside of the foundation and the projected entertainment theme , Melco Crown Co-Chairman Lawrence Ho changed the original plans for Studio City , and transformed the project into a glittering $ 3.2 billion Hollywood movie set .
“ Since Melco Crown Entertainment became involved
26 CASINO DESIGN 2015