LAS VEGAS Taking a cue from rival MGM Resorts International, gaming industry giant Caesars Entertainment Corp. has announced plans to brand nongaming hotels in Asia markets without casinos.
Caesars, which remains without gaming licenses in the region’s two biggest gambling destinations, Macau and Singapore, is targeting growing markets where the luxury hotel sector is underserved. CEO Gary Loveman tells The Wall Street Journal that Caesars sees nongaming opportunities in mainland China and India, among other areas in Southeast Asia.
“There’s so much dynamism in Asia that you have to find a way to participate,” Loveman says. “In gaming, you can’t go where the politicians don’t allow you to go, so you have to find something else you do that’s less controversial.”
The hotels would be flagged by some of Caesars’ existing brands, including Caesars Palace and Flamingo. Besides Asia, Caesars is also examining opportunities for nongaming hotels in Europe. Loveman has not said whether Caesars would also operate the properties.
In 2007, rival MGM Resorts launched MGM Hospitality, which plans to operate nongaming hotels under its Bellagio, MGM Grand and Skylofts brands. MGM has nongaming development deals in place in China, Egypt, India and Dubai.