Las Vegas Sands Exits Digital Gaming, Recommits $266 Million to Asian Resorts

LVS President and COO Patrick Dumont announced the decision. The strategic shift will result in the elimination of 300 to 400 jobs, including approximately 150 positions in Las Vegas.

Strategy: Back to Core Land-Based Assets

The company launched SDS as a short-term experiment after the 2021 death of founder Sheldon Adelson. Adelson had famously opposed online gambling.

SDS planned to serve iGaming markets, including several U.S. states, with a B2B live-dealer streaming platform. However, the project failed to achieve significant growth.

LVS executives and the board concluded that further pursuit of the digital business “was no longer aligned with the company’s core long-term objectives.”

Dumont explained that the initial investment was made with the understanding that the company would periodically evaluate the most pragmatic path forward.

Furthermore, leadership determined that the venture offered an insufficient return on investment. Competing with technology giants like Evolution and navigating complex regulatory risks proved too costly. Sands invested about $266 million into the digital project during 2023 and 2024.

Renewed Focus on Dominant Asian Markets

The company now concentrates all resources on its anchor markets. Dumont emphasized that LVS operates in the “two best markets in our industry,” referring to Macau and Singapore.

In Macau, Sands Corp. operates five integrated casino resorts. The firm continues to invest heavily in the region, meeting commitments required under its renewed operating licenses. Similarly, the key Marina Bay Sands property in Singaporeis undergoing a large-scale expansion. The expansion includes building new hotel rooms and a new arena.

The withdrawal from the digital space returns the company to its long-held “anti-iGaming DNA.” For example, LVS previously withdrew from a New York casino license bid. The firm cited concerns that future iGaming legalization in the state could negatively affect land-based casino revenues.

Impact on Personnel and Future Outlook

The closure necessitates significant job reductions. While affected Las Vegas employees can apply for other roles within LVS, most available jobs require different skills than those of the digital development staff.

Dumont assured staff and shareholders of the company’s ongoing commitment. He affirmed that LVS will continue to explore opportunities that align with its commitment to be the “most shareholder-friendly company in the gaming and hospitality industry.”