Resorts World Sentosa, the Singapore casino complex operated by Genting Singapore Ltd, will invest SGD400 million (US$297.8 million) in upgrading attractions and refurbishing three existing hotels, the company said in a Thursday press release1. Construction begins in the second quarter of 20221.
The spending is part of a SGD4.5 billion commitment Genting Singapore made to the Singapore government and announced in April 2019, under an arrangement that keeps Genting Singapore's half of Singapore's casino duopoly until 20301. The company described the work as the start of the Resorts World Sentosa "2.0" expansion1.
The Universal Studios theme park will add a zone called Minion Land, and the S.E.A. Aquarium will be significantly enhanced and rebranded as the Singapore Oceanarium, described as three times bigger than the current aquarium and expected to be completed by the end of 20241. Three hotels will be refurbished: Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Hotel Michael and Festive Hotel, which together offer more than 1,200 rooms1. A refurbishment and upgrade is also planned for the Resorts World Convention Centre1. Resorts World Sentosa pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 20301.
"These hotels will undergo renovation works in phases from the second quarter of 2022 through 2023"
Brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd said in a Thursday note that Resorts World Sentosa management was reworking some of the expansion project to focus on combining business and leisure offerings to attract more premium customers1. Chief executive Tan Hee Teck said the 2.0 developments would position the complex to lead the recovery of Singapore tourism as borders gradually reopen1. Genting Singapore reported net profit of SGD183.3 million in 2021, against SGD69.2 million the year before1.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total investment | SGD400 million (US$297.8 million)1 |
| Construction start | Second quarter of 20221 |
| Hotel renovations | Phased from 2Q22 through 20231 |
| Hotels affected | Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel (more than 1,200 rooms)1 |
| New theme park zone | Minion Land1 |
| Aquarium | S.E.A. Aquarium rebranded as Singapore Oceanarium, completion by end of 20241 |
What it means for players
The announcement covers attractions, hotels and the convention center, not the casino floor. No changes to the Resorts World Sentosa Casino gaming area, its games or its entry rules were reported1. Visitors who gamble at Resorts World Sentosa should expect phased hotel renovation work from the second quarter of 2022 through 2023, which may affect room availability at the three named hotels during that period1. The complex remains one of two casino operators in Singapore, alongside Marina Bay Sands, a comparison covered in our guide to Marina Bay Sands vs Resorts World Sentosa. Entry rules for Singapore's casinos, including the levy for Singapore citizens and permanent residents, are unchanged by this announcement and are set out in Can I Gamble in Singapore?.
What happens next
Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2022, with hotel renovation works phased from that quarter through 20231. The Singapore Oceanarium is expected to be completed by the end of 20241. No completion date for Minion Land or the convention center upgrade has been reported1.
