Monday, August 28, 2006

As reported by the Channel News Asia: "Three gaming licences could be
awarded in Japan in 2009, with the projects expected to be completed around
2012, according to some market watchers. "But while that will add to the
growth of the industry in Asia, they say the emergence of the gaming sector
in Japan is not likely have a major impact on Singapore's integrated
resorts. ".Said Sean Monaghan, vice president of equity research at Merrill
Lynch (Singapore), 'In 2008, the government is likely to pass the
legislation. So you probably have tendering in 2009 and the award of around
three casino licenses, probably one in Tokyo, one in Okinawa and one in
another major city on the main island - so three major casino licenses.
Obviously if you have a tender, you will have global focus on it, massive
bidding and probably at least US$10 billion investments for those three
casino properties.'."

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