Melco International Development may raise its proposed investment for its bid to develop a casino-resort in Singapore.
Melco group managing director Lawrence Ho Yau-lung yesterday said its joint venture with Australia's Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd (PBL) could boost its investment war chest from its initial S$2.5 billion ($11.4 billion) to counter potential threats from US rivals.
But he warned the company might still not be able to match its competitors who could spend between US$3 billion and US$4 billion.
The Singapore government opened the second-round tender for its two casino licences on Tuesday, attracting eight potential bidders including several US-led consortiums involving gaming giants such as MGM Mirage, Las Vegas Sands and Harrah's Entertainment.
Asia-based candidates, which need to submit their proposals by the end of March, include the PBL-Melco partnership and the Genting Group.
The two Singapore gambling licences are due to be awarded by the middle of next year.
Mr Ho also said the PBL-Melco partnership was planning two more Mocha Slot venues - the cafe-themed slot machine gambling centres - both of which will be bigger than Mocha Sintra, the fifth Mocha Slot club launched by the joint venture that opened yesterday.