Chapter 494: Sheldon Adelson

[Chapter 557: Sheldon Adelson]

At Las Vegas International Airport, Arthur Smith rushed with Winona Ryder straight to the Luxor Resort Hotel at the southern end of the Strip. The Luxor, which opened in 1993, is a newly built resort casino themed around Egyptian pyramids, opening the same year as Treasure Island and the MGM Grand.

"What's up with the sudden Vegas getaway?" Winona Ryder asked, having been summoned from the San Francisco Bay Area by Arthur's call.

Arthur settled onto the sofa in the suite at the Luxor, holding her close and kissing her. "What's wrong with hanging out with me for a few days?"

Winona smiled, "Galaxy is about to go public, you must be super busy right now!"

"It's not too crazy," Arthur replied, loosening the buttons on her blouse, casually tugging at her bra, and letting his hand caress the softness. "MGM and Paramount are collaborating on the crime action blockbuster Face/Off. The director wants to take advantage of the demolition of the Sands Hotel to capture footage of a plane crashing into the hotel."

"I specifically came here to discuss this with Sheldon Adelson, the owner of the Sands Casino." Arthur continued.

"I see," Winona said, suddenly kissing Arthur passionately while reaching to remove his clothes.

"Yeah, after wrapping things up here, I'll head to New York. These few days in Las Vegas are for unwinding," Arthur said, kissing her tenderly.

"Hey, Arthur, what happened with that car accident a few days ago?" Winona suddenly asked.

"Oh, it was nothing, just a little bump..."

...

After spending three days in Las Vegas, Arthur met Sheldon Adelson, the head of Sands Entertainment, at a party in the Dream Hotel. Upon learning Arthur's purpose, Sheldon was eager to facilitate this collaboration, aiming for completion by October.

Arthur had no objections, and the two stepped out onto the terrace, admiring the mesmerizing Las Vegas skyline. "What a captivating place!" Arthur exclaimed.

Sheldon chuckled, gesturing to a nearby construction site. "That'll be the luxurious Bellagio Casino Resort, set to finish by the end of the year."

Arthur nodded, "Everyone says that the Italian-themed Bellagio, constructed under Steve Wynn's leadership, is leading the new wave of luxury themed hotels in Las Vegas."

Sheldon took a puff from his cigar, "Yes, the Wynn Group's Mirage themed around desert illusions and the tropical Caribbean-themed Treasure Island are classic Las Vegas resorts."

"Even MGM Grand, with its Hollywood, South America, Casablanca, and Desert Oasis themes, is just keeping up." Arthur responded, lighting a thin cigar and taking a drag. "But the theme resorts started with Caesars Palace back in the sixties. With the opening of the Mirage, Treasure Island, MGM Grand, and Luxor in the nineties... Now building Bellagio definitely sets a new standard!"

Las Vegas is buzzing with several hotels and resorts either under construction or in the planning stages; the Paris Hotel features replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, while the Excalibur also draws on Arthurian legend.

However, the biggest investment belongs to the Bellagio Resort, costing over $1.5 billion. Meanwhile, Sheldon Adelson's Sands Entertainment is preparing to build the Venetian Resort, with an even larger scale than Bellagio.

The Mandalay Resort Group recently completed the Luxor and is now constructing the Excalibur Hotel, while also planning a more luxurious tropical-themed Mandalay Bay Hotel next to the Luxor.

Clearly, both Sands and Mandalay Resort Groups are building the massive Venetian and Mandalay Bay Resorts under Bellagio's influence. No wonder Steve Wynn, head of the Wynn Group, is often dubbed the "Father of Las Vegas."

After all, when it comes to Las Vegas's number-one gambler, there's no contest: it must be Kirk Kerkorian, and he is undoubtedly the wealthiest individual in Nevada.

Compared to Steve Wynn's wealth, he's not even on the same playing field as Kirk, let alone Sheldon Adelson, given that Wynn's stake in the Wynn Group is not substantial, with limited other investment ventures.

"Arthur, I heard that Kirk once competed with you for MGM Studios," Sheldon said with a smirk. "MGM Pictures and MGM Grand have had quite a bit of debate lately."

Arthur shrugged, "There can't be any MGM branding at the MGM Grand anymore. Besides, Kirk's been focused on Chrysler lately."

The MGM Grand in Las Vegas cannot bear any MGM label anymore.

"Arthur, you know Ritz-Carlton well. I guess you're interested in hotel operations?"

Arthur understood immediately what Sheldon was suggesting: the Sands Group sold the Sands Expo Center and the Tech Fair to fund the Venetian construction, but it surely wouldn't be enough without Arthur's investment.

Arthur smiled, "I'm more interested in the gambling side of things."

"$200 million in cash. Within six months, I can sell you 10% of the Sands Group," Sheldon offered, eyeing Arthur. "Construction on the Venetian Resort will definitely start early next year."

Arthur extinguished his cigar. "I want a Ritz-Carlton in the Venetian Resort. With no fewer than 400 rooms."

Sheldon thought for a moment, extended his right hand to shake Arthur's, "The Sands Group will not let you down."

Sheldon agreed to Arthur's terms, allowing Ritz-Carlton to manage a portion of the rooms in the Venetian -- it's not a huge deal.

"Looking forward to working together!" Arthur now has over $200 million in cash; not to mention Galaxy is about to go public, at which point he'll undoubtedly sell a portion of his stocks to save up a significant sum of money for participating in next year's Asian financial crisis.

*****

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