20250114 AM Gambling industry in Southeast Asia

The success of Singapore's casinos, housed in two integrated resorts, has prompted neighboring nations to consider developing or expanding their own betting industries to target high-end gamblers. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters)

Stakes rise in Southeast Asia's casino race as Singapore's rivals place bets

City-state faces growing competition from Thailand and the Philippines

SINGAPORE -- When Singapore's Marina Bay Sands (MBS) integrated resort went almost completely dark during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the absence of guests in the three gleaming towers, with their casinos, hotels, malls and event spaces, symbolized the country's tourism industry grinding to a halt.

The pandemic also put on hold the grand expansion plans of both MBS, owned by Las Vegas Sands (LVS), and its casino rival in the city-state, Resorts World Sentosa, owned by Malaysia's Genting.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.