US-based casino giant Las Vegas Sands has confirmed it has no plans to enter the regulated online gaming market, even as digital gambling and prediction markets continue expanding across several regions worldwide.
The company’s President, Patrick Dumont, said the group intends to remain focused on what it considers its core strength, large-scale integrated casino resorts. Speaking during the Bernstein 42nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference in New York, Dumont made it clear that online gaming is not part of the company’s long-term strategy.
“Online gaming is not something that we intend to pursue,” he said, while stressing that Las Vegas Sands prefers to focus on markets and products where it already holds strong positions.
Sole focus on land-based venues
The company operates some of the world’s best-known casino properties through its Macau-based subsidiary, Sands China and Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands resort. Dumont argued that the group’s expertise lies in developing and operating destination-based integrated resorts rather than digital gambling platforms.
“I don’t think we’re going look to pursue things that are not in our core.”
– Patrick Dumont, President, Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Dumont also stressed that Las Vegas Sands believes its experience in developing large-scale integrated resorts positions the company strongly for any future markets considering casino legalisation.
The comments come at a time when several major casino operators are increasingly exploring online betting, digital casinos and sports wagering as additional revenue streams. However, Las Vegas Sands appears determined to avoid moving beyond its traditional hospitality-led gaming model.
He also briefly addressed the rapidly growing prediction market sector, which has attracted growing regulatory scrutiny across multiple countries in recent months.
Expanding the use of AI and smart-tech
While he acknowledged that prediction markets are ‘interesting to watch’, he also suggested there are still unresolved legal questions surrounding how such platforms operate. Despite distancing itself from online gaming, Las Vegas Sands is utilising artificial intelligence and technology-driven systems inside its casino operations.
According to Dumont, one of the company’s biggest priorities is improving business intelligence and operational analytics through AI-powered tools. “There’s a lot of proprietary development that goes into what we do,” he explained.
A major area of investment has been in smart gaming tables that combine RFID and optical technologies to track gaming activity more accurately. Dumont revealed the company began investing in the systems more than eight years ago.
The technology allows operators to better analyse table-game behaviour in ways similar to the detailed analytics already available for slot machines.
Premium offering to continue
Las Vegas Sands also believes the systems can improve operational efficiency, strengthen security measures and enhance the customer experience inside casinos. Beyond technology, the company is continuing to expand its premium offerings in Macau. Dumont said Sands China is currently working to address what he described as limited capacity in the premium gaming segment.
The company recently announced upgrades to hotel rooms at The Venetian Macao, along with additional luxury suite developments aimed at attracting higher-value customers.
Financially, Sands China reported stronger first-quarter results for 2026, with net income rising to $294 million, up from $202 million in the same period last year. The company has also reiterated Las Vegas Sands’ interest in potential future casino markets such as Texas and Thailand, although both jurisdictions are still debating legalisation frameworks for casino gambling.
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