Las Vegas Sands Corp. recently made headlines with its securing of three loans totaling a staggering $12 billion to kickstart the expansion of its Singapore Marina Bay Sands resort. In a bold move, the company revealed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it had acquired loans in Singapore currency amounting to $3.75 billion, $750 million, and $7.5 billion for the Marina Bay Sands expansion and general expenses.
The Las Vegas-based company had initially announced its grand plans in April, outlining a hefty $4.5 billion investment to erect a 1,000-suite tower alongside the existing 2,561 rooms at the Asia property. This expansion also includes a 15,000-seat performance arena and additional convention and meeting space. The Marina Bay Sands resort, which first opened its doors in 2010, is set to undergo these transformative changes, signaling a new chapter in its storied history.
The construction for these ambitious additions is slated to commence by July, with a scheduled completion date pegged for July 2029. This timeline sets the stage for an exciting development that promises to elevate the Marina Bay Sands resort to even greater heights of luxury and sophistication.
Revolutionizing Gaming with Cashless Tables
Amidst the buzz surrounding the Marina Bay Sands expansion, Las Vegas-based Acres Manufacturing Co. has made a significant announcement of its own. The company unveiled its plan to install 1,000 of its cutting-edge Cashless2Chips cashless table systems by the year 2025. This move comes on the heels of surpassing 1,000 unit sales, with the promise of delivering and installing units across the United States over the next few years.
The Cashless2Chips system is a game-changer in the realm of casinos, offering players a seamless experience of buying in and cashing out from any table game using their mobile devices. This innovative technology not only streamlines the gaming process but also propels the industry towards a fully cashless gaming experience. With Bluetooth sensors at each bet position and a user-friendly touchscreen display for dealers, Cashless2Chips presents a fast and efficient way for casinos to modernize their table games.
Noah Acres, a representative of Acres Manufacturing, expressed enthusiasm for the growing demand for cashless payments at gaming tables. “Surpassing 1,000 unit sales of Cashless2Chips is a testament to the growing demand for seamless, frictionless payments at the gaming table,” he remarked. As the industry continues to evolve, the shift towards cashless gaming is poised to enhance player convenience, security, and casino profitability.
Bipartisan Efforts in the World of Sports Betting
In a notable bipartisan move, U.S. Rep. Dina Titus and U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler have reintroduced a bill aimed at repealing the federal excise tax on sports betting. This tax, known as the “handle tax,” imposes a 0.25 percent levy on legal sports wagers, creating a financial burden for legal gaming operators across the country.
The bill, titled the “Discriminatory Gaming Tax Repeal Act of 2025,” seeks to eliminate this tax, which disproportionately impacts legal gaming operators compared to their illegal counterparts. With the landscape of sports betting rapidly evolving following the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, the push for fair regulations and taxation in the industry has gained momentum.
Titus emphasized the need to support legal gaming operators and foster a level playing field in the sports betting arena. “Illegal sportsbooks do not pay the 0.25 percent sports handle tax and the accompanying $50-per-head tax on sportsbook employees, giving them an unfair advantage,” she pointed out. Reschenthaler echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need to address outdated tax codes and regulations that hinder the growth of legal operators while inadvertently fueling illegal activities.
As the landscape of sports betting continues to evolve, the bipartisan efforts of Titus and Reschenthaler shed light on the importance of creating a fair and equitable environment for legal gaming operators across the nation.
The world of gaming and entertainment is abuzz with excitement as these transformative initiatives take center stage. From the grand expansion of the Marina Bay Sands resort to the revolutionary advancements in cashless gaming technology and the push for fair regulations in sports betting, the industry is poised for a new era of innovation and growth. As these developments unfold, one thing is certain – the future of gaming is brighter and more dynamic than ever before.
