Calvin Ayre – James Packer, boss of Australian casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd., has asked his country’s government to revise their tourist visa policies to make it easier for Chinese high rollers to visit his casinos. Packer told the Herald Sun that it was “hypocritical” for the government to maintain visa requirements that make it harder for wealthy Chinese to enter the country than wealthy Americans.
Packer, who believes the rising clout of Chinese consumers will “profoundly aspect every aspect of our economy,” said it was “stupid” that “visa applications are done in English, not Mandarin.” Packer also complained that Australia allowed residents of over 70 countries to apply for visas online but not residents from China. “We’re not in a Cold War anymore. The dollar’s at 91 cents because of China, not America, and we all benefit, so let’s not be hypocrites.”
Meanwhile, Packer’s international joint venture with Melco International Development is eyeing further expansion abroad. Melco Crown Entertainment already has a lucrative presence in Macau, is scheduled to open its City of Dreams Manila property in the Philippines later this year and is now eyeing expansion into Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.
Todd Nisbet (pictured), Crown’s exec VP of strategy and development, told the Australian that Melco Crown was in talks with several Japanese companies regarding a tandem bid on a casino. While acknowledging that “nothing has solidified yet,” Nisbet said “a local partner is a key ingredient.” That contrasts sharply with the position taken by Las Vegas Sands, who have made no secret of their desire to go it alone in Japan, a stance that has reportedly irked some Japanese lawmakers, who want to ensure local involvement in any casino projects.
