Ahead of the opening later today of its new Morpheus hotel, Asian casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited has reportedly not been given permission to bring any new-to-market live-dealer gaming tables to the $1.1 billion Macau property.
According to a Thursday report from GGRAsia, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau has only authorized the Hong Kong-listed firm to transfer some 40 tables from its other local properties to Morpheus although the regulator stated that it intends to revisit the matter next year.
“The [government of Macau] has granted approval to the respective gaming concessionaire to transfer 40 gaming tables not including slot machines from its other casino properties to Morpheus in 2018,” read a statement from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. “Next year, the [government of Macau] will study whether it will allow the gaming concessionaire to add new gaming tables to Morpheus.”
GGRAsia reported that the decision for the City of Dreams Macau extension was down to the former Portuguese enclave’s desire to diversify its economy away from gaming and encourage the debut of more family-friendly attractions. But, it also explained that most of the city’s other recently-opened casino resorts including the $3.4 billion MGM Cotai from MGM China Holdings Limited had been granted such additional allocations.
“It must be reiterated that in order to prevent the gaming concessionaires over-emphasizing the development of gaming and at the same time to encourage them to increase their investment in non-gaming, the [government of Macau] has continuously implemented different measures,” read the regulator’s statement.
Designed by the late Iraqi-British architect, Zaha Hadid, Morpheus will offer in excess of 770 luxury rooms, villas and suites alongside 12,900 sq ft of retail space and a spa. Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of restaurants, an art gallery and a ‘sky pool’ located some 426 feet above the ground.
The source also reported that Morpheus will feature a bespoke gaming club on its second floor as well as eight private casino salons attached to its villas. Guests will only be permitted to access these areas if they are a member of Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited’s own Li Ying Club loyalty program or have made special arrangements via an outside junket operator.