Venetian rolls into Macao
It's almost exactly like The Venetian in Las Vegas, only this one's in Macao and it's bigger -- in fact now the biggest gambling resort in the world. The Financial Times' Robin Quong tells us about the new resort's ambitions.
People line up during the public opening of the Venetian Macao resort, now the world's biggest casino by gaming tables. (Mike Clarke/AFP/Getty Images)
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TEXT OF INTERVIEW
Doug Krizner: It's opening day for the for the biggest gambling resort in the world. The Venetian Macao Resort, was built at a cost of $2.4 billion. It has more floor space than four Empire State Buildings and its sports center nearly rivals Madison Square Garden. Let's bring in Robin Quong, he's a reporter with the Financial Times. Robin what's it look like?
Robin Quong: There are large, chandelier-filled hallways that lead in from conference rooms and large exhibition halls into the gaming hall which is filled with gaming tables and slot machines. And on the second level upstairs, there is I think just exactly as there is in The Venetian in Las Vegas, the canals with gondolas and there are lines of shops and they had the ribbon-cutting there at the Grand Canal earlier today.
Krizner: Will this become a destination for people to do something more than just gamble? Are they hoping to have other businesses here?
Quong: That is the hope, and the other business is primarily the convention and conferences business. So far until today's opening it's just been gambling. If you come to Macao, you're here to gamble. But they have a large exhibition hall, they have an arena, they had Manchester United come over already and there are I believe two NBA teams coming over very shortly so they're trying to make this into a real holiday destination.
Krizner: Robin Quong is a reporter for the Financial Times in Macao, thanks so much for talking to us.
Quong: Thank you so much.
