The arrival of Las Vegas Sands (LVS) in Macau was seen as a balm – and in the beginning they certainly made a difference.
Four years later, there is a danger that the company runs the serious risk of giving the impression that it was a mistake to have it as partner.
The initial arrogance of a company that was aware it would become – within a few years – the city’s main investor, was understandable.
But once that bedding-in period was over, the company should have set a clear vision and commitment to where it was and passed that message on, clearly, to all its employees.
After all, LVS can’t complain about lack of cooperation from the local government who, if you ask me, gave way too much to the extent it faced internal criticism.
Look at the way Singapore deals with foreign casino investors and compare it with Macau, and you will understand what am I talking about.
Don’t get me wrong: LVS is setting some good examples.
It plays an investment and helping – some times leading – role in creating the new Macau, and for that we are pleased.
But to make the job complete, LVS send a clear message to all in the company that Macau is not Nevada.
You can’t come here with a megaphone and impose your ideas and, just as important, you must respect the local culture and its people.
The inability of many elements within LVS to understand local ways will not help them win a lot of friends, here, in Guangdong or, for that matter, up North.
Let’s be clear: despite the recent judicial decision by an American court, which decided in favor of Richard Suen – an event that leaves local authorities in bad shape, since it casts a shadow of doubt over the entire process of liberalisation -, we felt the initial preference for LVS was logical.
Their promises to wager in the mass market, to bring entertainment from Las Vegas and, specially, the promise to provide the opportunity for many businesses to develop through conferences and exhibitions were admirable.
Macau needed something to help it get rid of the “Las Vegas in the 50’s image’, and gain a 21st century Las Vegas look of functionality and exuberance.
Ideally in a Monte Carlo-like scenario. European flavour and American functionality with Chinese characteristics.
Those were the seductive proposals, not the billions that Sheldon Adelson promised to invest. It’s not that hard to see: there are many Sheldon Adelsons in the world and there’s no lack of able replacements for him.
Still, Edmund Ho decided to place his trust there and, the way we see it, gave more than he should have, starting with the land that was sold at clearance sale prices.
We might not agree but understand those decisions. Since LVS was interested in investing heavily, Edmund Ho didn’t want the Americans to later say that investments were halted for lack of government support.
Aware that things aren’t working out that well and in need of further financing, William Weidner has recently adopted an appeasement strategy.
We agree with him on the issue of imported labor during construction times, due to the lack of local workers, but we don’t side with him on the guarantee that LVS reinvests all its earnings in back in Macau.
Many business people and even Venetian retail owners complain about a lack of cooperation and that their marketing only demands without giving anything in return.
Add to that complaints that local companies are passed over in favour of outside companies from Hong Kong to the U.S.
Of course, some local business people also don’t make LVS’s life easy. Just because they are local they think they should be chosen instead of deserving to be chosen because of the quality and price of their products.
After all, LVS is not a charity. Perhaps LVS can help here and teach some of their team how to get the message across to local companies. That humble exercise will, for sure, be appreciated and will gain the company more respect.
On a happier note, it’s nice to see plans for the Adelson Advanced Education Center of University of Macau. A collaborative project aimed at providing advanced education and management skills for local talent in non-gaming business disciplines. It’s the right path. And the new Four Seasons with its retail gallery, a place to visit which will attract plenty of attention.
Last but not least, the stunning Cirque du Soleil package that has been put together. A promise that was delivered and one which the people of Macau should recognize.
After all, if we work together we gain together.

They must be joking