MACAU BUSINESS
For Co-chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Pansy Ho, Adelson was a “true visionary” who ”had no doubt a tremendous impact on the industry”. His former business rival both in Las Vegas and Macau, founder of Wynn Resorts Steve Wynn noted that “he was not afraid to go all-in and take his position based upon his opinion without looking over his shoulder or second-guessing himself”. The Macau SAR Government also expressed his condolences to his family and stated that “the leadership of the late Mr Adelson has promoted the development of Sands China in Macau”.
Adelson’s eye for the detail “During the early days after Sands Macao opened, I
Once Adelson realized the fantastic
opportunity that Macau presented to an American-based casino gaming corporation operating integrated resorts he fully
committed his company to invest in Macau Jorge Costa Oliveira,
former Commissioner for Legal Affairs at Macau Gaming Commission
worldwide to allow gaming in their countries”, Mr Ramirez points out. Sheldon Adelson was an epitome of game changer. In
an interview with CNN, when asked to describe his business matrix, he made it crystal clear: “You have to challenge the status quo, you have to change the status quo, and if you change it in any business, success will follow you like a shadow”. In Macau he did challenge the pre-existing dominance of Stanley Ho’s empire and once telling the local gambling tycoon to “get out of the kitchen if he can’t stand the heat”.
Industry praise
Industry leaders expressed condolences to the family of Adelson and highlighted his role for the development of Macau, starting by those who worked directly under him such as Sands China CEO Wilfred Wong for whom his “investment in Macao has both literally and figuratively changed the landscape of our city, and his firm belief in philanthropy will continue to have a lasting impact in Macau”. He was praised as a “passionate entrepreneur who contributed so much to the advancement of the tourism, gaming and entertainment industry”, by Galaxy Entertainment Chairman Liu Che Woo. Gaming operator SJM referred to Adelson as “An influential figure in the gaming, leisure and convention businesses and our respected competitor”, who drove the development of Sands China in Macau”.
18 MARCH 2021
learnt that one night, a very senior executive received a call direct from Mr Adelson at 2am. Mr Adelson was going through the numbers and noticed that the income at table A is not in par with table B, though they were just side-by-side. Thus, he called and wanted to know the distance between the back of the chair of table A and the back of the chair of table B. He wanted to ensure that all patrons could walk around comfortably and can easily place bets. I find it amazing that such a busy billionaire would be so into the details and how he thinks differently”. Melina Leong, former Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Community Affairs at Sands China
“Sheldon was enjoying lunch at a restaurant on the banks of the Grand Canal at The Venetian. He was listening to the beautiful singing of the gondoliers, looking at the smiling faces of passengers and on-lookers. Suddenly, Sheldon called for the manager of the gondola ride. When the manager arrived, Sheldon had a stop watch in his hand and a hand-drawn map of the Grand canal with Gondola routes and timings sketched on it. Sheldon said: “The way you have this Godola ride set up, is not providing the ultimate guest experience and is losing us money.” At that time Gondoliers sang throughout the ride, necessitating one long ride at a time, to avoid a battle of the voices and noise cross-over between Gondoliers. Sheldon proceeded to explain that if the Gondolier was to sing only at the turn-around point, and engage in polite conversation with passengers on the out-going and return sections, we could comfortably triple the number of rides and revenue. Sheldon’s observation, attention to detail and improved process was implemented and the Gondola Ride at the Grand Canal Shoppes became one of the most successful rides of its kind in the industry”. Niall Murray, former Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Community Affairs at Venetian Macau
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