IPepper news
  1. Main
  2. /

    Articles
  3. /

    Tiger de Cristal ...
Tiger de Cristal casino: losses for Asia and profitable investments for the Russia
Casino Tiger de Cristal. Source: Booking

Tiger de Cristal casino: losses for Asia and profitable investments for the Russia

LET Group Holdings is set to convene a shareholders meeting in August for the purpose of selling the Tigre de Cristal resort located in Russia. The company's apprehension regarding sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is evident. Due to these economic restrictions, LET finds itself unable to effectively market its investment company, which will result in a loss of anticipated profits—an outcome that may only be the tip of the iceberg. Considering all potential risks, it is possible that LET's operations could face sanctions from other countries due to its association with Russia.

For context, LET Group Holdings is a prominent entity in the Asian gambling industry, engaging in various projects throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including the establishment of integrated resorts in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia. The company previously invested in the development of Tigre de Cristal in the Primorsky Territory; however, this investment is now viewed as unprofitable.

In 2015, Tigre de Cristal made history as the first casino resort in Russia's Primorsky Integrated Entertainment Zone (PIEZ), situated near Vladivostok. Developed by Melco Resorts and Entertainment at a cost of €158.6 million (£133.2 million/$172 million), the resort was intended to be the inaugural establishment in a planned cluster of 11 casinos, with aspirations to create a Russian version of Las Vegas in the Far East by 2023.

In a 2012 feasibility study, Global Market Advisors estimated that gaming revenues in the region could reach €46 billion within a decade.

But with the flagship resort, things didn't go according to plan from the very beginning. Back in 2017, Melco founder and chairman Lawrence Ho gave up his majority stake.

Casino Tiger de Cristal. Source: Booking
Casino Tiger de Cristal. Source: Booking

Pandemic and other troubles

Then new problems appeared - literally one after another. In 2019, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the casino area was temporarily closed, which hindered the growth of the Russian land-based gambling zone. And these days, longer-term plans are undermined by the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Now LET Group Holdings and subsidiary Summit Ascent Holdings want to sell Tigre de Cristal at a favourable price.

In January 2024, LET was close to concluding a deal to sell 100% of the shares of casino operator G1 Entertainment to the Russian company Far Eastern Active for €107. Because of this plan, board members began leaving Summit Ascent. Five of the six left in protest at the proposed sale, leaving only chairman Andrew Law. Then, in February of the same year, the potential buyer backed out of the deal.

Law will chair an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on August 15, 2024 to develop a new strategy for the sale of the resort.

Tigre de Cristal Hotel & Resort. Source: Tigre de Cristal Hotel & Resort Facebook page
Tigre de Cristal Hotel & Resort. Source: Tigre de Cristal Hotel & Resort Facebook page

EU and US sanctions may deprive LET of all assets

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, in February 2022, the United States “imposed a wide range of sanctions” against the Russian Federation to isolate the country and reduce its economic and military influence.

Since then, the US, UK, European Union and several other countries, including Australia, Canada and Japan, have imposed more than 16,500 sanctions against the Russian bear. Among them: restrictions on imports and exports, a freeze of €328.5 billion in foreign exchange reserves and logistics suspensions.

LET shareholders are understandably keen to get rid of the company's Russian assets. They complain that retaining casino operator G1 Entertainment could "bring too much uncertainty and risk." According to the company’s management, there is a high probability of facing sanctions “in relation to its assets or LET Group and its subsidiaries” from states opposing the military conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

Tigre de Cristal Hotel & Resort. Source: Tigre de Cristal Hotel & Resort Facebook page
Tigre de Cristal Hotel & Resort. Source: Tigre de Cristal Hotel & Resort Facebook page

Casino construction frozen: who will be the investor?

In addition to Tigre de Cristal, another casino resort is currently open in the PIEZ - Shambala. IR debuted in 2020. The second phase of construction at both resorts has been suspended.

As of fall 2023, a third resort project was still in development by construction and project management company Asia-Invest Group. But plans by Cambodian operator NagaCorp to join a casino cluster in Primorye were cancelled after the invasion of Ukraine. Accordingly, there are no planned funds for construction. Today, only Russian companies can implement the idea of ​​a Russian Las Vegas if they consider the project sufficiently profitable and promising.

RussiaSlots

Articles
Why will the Snaitech deal double Flutter's market share in Italy?

26 September 2024, 16:00

Hiring Talent from Different Industries: Why and How?

26 September 2024, 09:09

The Social Casino Phenomenon: Real Money and Databases for Bookmakers

20 September 2024, 17:18

Dividing the Peruvian Pie: Who Will Take Over the Market After the Regulatory Law?

20 September 2024, 14:10

Expert Opinion: Why Betting Can't Survive Without AI Analysis of Sports Data

13 September 2024, 11:00

Finnish Gambling Market Reform: Veikkaus Resurgent vs Kindred's Leadership

10 September 2024, 19:00

Other news
US reports growing gambling industry revenues for the month
US reports growing gambling industry revenues for the month

The American Gaming Association (AGA) has published its revenue report for July, revealing that the industry generated a record $5.7 billion during this period. Additionally, ...

Prominent Casino Player to Host Show with SportsGrid
Prominent Casino Player to Host Show with SportsGrid

Renowned casino influencer and YouTuber Brian Christopher is collaborating with SportsGrid, the first 24/7 sports betting network in the U.S. that offers a wide range of ...

One of Germany's states has been given the green light for online casinos and poker
One of Germany's states has been given the green light for online casinos and poker

Schleswig-Holstein has become the first German state to grant licences to commercial operators for offering online casino and table games. Tipico, BluBet, Cashpoint, and Skill ...

Articles
Why will the Snaitech deal double Flutter's market share in Italy?
Why will the Snaitech deal double Flutter's market share in Italy?

Analysts have welcomed Flutter's acquisition of Italian B2C business Snaitech for €2.3 billion, which took place in mid-September. Flutter can now double its market share in ...

Hiring Talent from Different Industries: Why and How?
Hiring Talent from Different Industries: Why and How?

At Pepper Partners, a leading iGaming CPA network, the team consists of professionals from various industries. For instance, our Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) joined us from ...

The Social Casino Phenomenon: Real Money and Databases for Bookmakers
The Social Casino Phenomenon: Real Money and Databases for Bookmakers

In the gambling industry, the Free to Play model is not dependent on turning players into gamblers for profitability, according to a columnist for the specialised publication ...

Dividing the Peruvian Pie: Who Will Take Over the Market After the Regulatory Law?
Dividing the Peruvian Pie: Who Will Take Over the Market After the Regulatory Law?

Gonzalo Perez, the CEO of Peruvian powerhouse Apuesta Total, believes that the new regulated online market in Peru will likely see dominance from just three or four major ...

Expert Opinion: Why Betting Can't Survive Without AI Analysis of Sports Data
Expert Opinion: Why Betting Can't Survive Without AI Analysis of Sports Data

In his opinion column, IGB expert Tom Waterhouse explores the significance of sports data analytics and data providers within the evolving landscape of sports betting. He ...

Read more
Gambling adverts during football matches triple in UK

29 September 2024, 16:17

Merkur Group founder to step down as chairman after 67 years at the helm

29 September 2024, 09:22

Dutch players demand bookmakers refund their money

28 September 2024, 15:14

Flutter Enters Top 3 Largest Bookmakers in Brazil

28 September 2024, 10:08

DraftKings to Pay $200,000 Fine Over Social Media Post

27 September 2024, 15:41

Star Entertainment Group Reports Financial Downturn

27 September 2024, 10:54

Why will the Snaitech deal double Flutter's market share in Italy?

26 September 2024, 16:00

Norfolk casino project approved by Architectural Review Board

26 September 2024, 14:37

Flutter Entertainment aims to triple profits

26 September 2024, 09:19

Hiring Talent from Different Industries: Why and How?

26 September 2024, 09:09