LAS VEGAS AND MACAU - HERE WE GO AGAIN

Implications: The fact that the Cotai strip was once barren and lacking in any real future can't be an issue. If push comes to shove, the Las Vegas Strip at one time had less of a chance to be what is is today than Macau. The facts are, and the comparisons should be, made to look at numbers. Where will each be ten years from now. How will investment in Las Vegas compare to that of Macau. These are interesting questions.  

Analysis: To think of making any comparisons at this stage of development in Macau to Las Vegas should really be put on hold for some years. At this point, we are not judging apples to apples. On the other hand if you would like to compare player base that is a entire different matter. Macau has a very strong data base of very solid and dedicated players. There are no real ways to make a fair comparison on the type of casino play there and here. To say that Las Vegas has the same gaming influence on their customers as Macau does on theirs is a stretch.

The bottom line in these two gaming capitals is that Las Vegas had a very strong head start in the industry. That's not to say that Macau did not have casino action - they did and for what they offered is was pretty strong. In today's market however, they are going to surpass Las Vegas and will stay that way for many moons to come. The onslaught of new properties in Macau are increasing as we speak - their room count is substantially up - their casino drop (money bet and canned) is higher and their win speaks for itself. Macau has brightened the bottom line for a few very substantial companies from Las vegas. It will continue to do so and increase as the years pass and the Cotai strip will become bigger and more successful. They can market the entire Asian world for business - in most cases it's a much shorter commute then to fly to the States.

So, after having uttered those fine words - don't count the Las Vegas market out - it"s growing by leaps and bounds - getting bigger and diversifying their hotel and casinos............ what a Country...