Casino operator Genting Singapore Ltd says a major transformation of the gaming experience at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) will form a central part of its SGD6.80-billion (US$5.32-billion currently) redevelopment plan, known as RWS 2.0.
Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting in mid-April, Genting Singapore’s executive chairman and acting chief executive, Lim Kok Thay, said a key focus of the next phase of investment would be the complex’s gaming venue.
Mr Lim said the firm’s management was devoting attention to “design, marketing and operations” in order to close competitive gaps in the gaming segment to its Singapore market rival, the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) complex, run by a unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp.
He said the casino would undergo a transformation process under RWS 2.0, with emphasis placed on improving the gaming environment and customer experience. Planned changes include enhancements to the casino’s location as well as new architectural features aimed at “allowing more natural light” into the gaming venue.
Mr Lim noted that renovation works would need to be carried out while the casino continued operating around the clock.
“As the casino is a live, 24/7 business, these works would be carried out while the casino remains in operation,” the chairman said, according to minutes of the mid-April meeting made available on Thursday. “While there may be some disruption, the team would seek to minimise any inconvenience to guests.”
He added that the firm’s management was confident that the long-term benefits of the redevelopment would outweigh any short-term disruption during construction.
Genting Singapore posted annual net profit amounting to just over SGD390.3 million for full-year 2025, on revenue that fell 3.1 percent year-on-year, to SGD2.45 billion.
As part of the RWS’ redevelopment effort, Genting Singapore launched in early 2025 the Illumination’s Minion Land at RWS’ Universal Studios Singapore. July last year saw the opening of the Singapore Oceanarium and the launch of a revamped retail area dubbed “WEAVE”.
In October, the group opened The Laurus hotel, part of The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
Genting Singapore is currently developing a new waterfront precinct at RWS, which is expected to be completed in 2030.
In his remarks at the meeting, Mr Lim said the wider RWS 2.0 initiative would enhance accessibility and the overall guest experience at the Sentosa-based resort.
Addressing shareholder comparisons between the two Singapore casino resorts, Mr Lim acknowledged that RWS faced “inherent challenges” because of its location outside the city centre.
“RWS’s location presents inherent challenges and requires the company to spend significantly more effort and investment than if it were operating in a CBD [central business district] location,” he said, adding that several of these issues would be addressed through the RWS 2.0 redevelopment.
The chairman also highlighted plans to improve connectivity and accessibility to RWS, including to its retail and commercial areas. He said Genting Singapore was working closely with the Sentosa Development Corp on infrastructure and accessibility enhancements linked to the expansion project.
Genting Singapore’s president and chief operating officer, Lee Shi Ruh, said at the meeting that approximately SGD2.00 billion had already been spent on the expansion of the complex, leaving the bulk of investment to be deployed over the coming years.
She said Genting Singapore currently held cash reserves of about SGD3.20 billion and intended to prioritise internal cash resources to fund the RWS2.0 expansion project while setting aside funds for dividends.
External financing options, including bank borrowings and other funding instruments, would also be evaluated as part of the company’s broader capital management strategy, Ms Lee stated, adding that the remaining expenditure under the RWS 2.0 programme would include ongoing maintenance capital in addition to RWS2.0 development investments.
