$4 billion Strip casino project crosses major hurdle
Associated Press
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 | 1:20 p.m.
A Malaysian conglomerate that hopes to build a $4 billion Asian-themed resort at the site of a long-stalled hotel construction project on the Las Vegas Strip crossed a major regulatory hurdle Wednesday.
Officials with the Nevada Gaming Control Board recommended a gaming license for Genting Berhad, the investment arm of Genting Group. The matter is scheduled for a second round of scrutiny May 22 before the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Officials with Genting, which operates casinos in the Asia, the United Kingdom, the Bahamas and New York, told regulators they plan to break ground this year on Resorts World Las Vegas. The project would incorporate 80 percent to 85 percent of the buildings in the partially built Echelon project and directly create about 8,500 jobs.
The initial phase is expected to include 3,000 hotel rooms, a large casino, a 4,000-seat theater with a rotating schedule of shows and a lush garden attraction. Company officials said they're also considering adding a 20th Century Fox theme park similar to one planned at a Genting property in Malaysia.