Macao has emerged as the gaming and entertainment hotspot of China, and already Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) and General Electric Company (NYSE: GE)'s Universal Studios is looking for more fresh meat. They think they've found it in Singapore, and the grand Resorts World at Sentosa.

The Resorts World is a cooperative venture of Genting Int'l (75% stake) and Star Cruises (25%). The 120-acre, $5.2 billion development will include casinos, a Universal Studios theme park, hotels, a marine park, and other resort entertainments. Las Vegas Sands is constructing the Marine Bay Sands, investing over $3 billion in the facility. Early projections point to a 2009-2010 time frame for its opening.

Universal has promised to not build any other parks in SE Asia for 30 years as part of its agreement to build a $1 billion theme park.

All these grand plans, however, rest on successful completion of the infrastructure by Genting RWS owners, and they are just now reaching the point where final total costs can be estimated. If the partners have developer has to reach deeper for additional cash, investors in LVS and GE may become a bit nervous about the amount of money these companies have already thrown in the pot.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) has scheduled release of 4th quarter and 2006 results next Monday after NY closes. LVS, owners of top Las Vegas properties the Venetian and the Sands, are key players in the looming development of gaming in the Far East. Currently scheduled to open this year is a landmark property, The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel Casino, which joins its Sands Macao in one of China's special administrative (i.e., capitalism-friendly) regions. An Italian-themed American-owned casino in China! How the world has changed.

The company will also open a new Las Vegas property, the Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino, this year.

LVS is also planning a huge expansion of its footprint in Macao with the Cotai Strip, an integrated development of multiple casino/hotels. It is also working with the PRC to develop a resort and convention property on Hengqin Island. Since gambling revenues in Macao exceeded that of Las Vegas for the first time in 2006, this move doesn't seem like much of a gamble on behalf of LVS.

Another new LVS resort, the Marina Bay Sands, will open in Singapore in 2009.

Earlier this week, Bear Stearns analyst Joseph Greff voiced his opinion that LVS's prospects, based on its aggressive cultivation of the Far East market, were strong. Investors seemed to agree in 2006, driving the stock price from $50 per share to over $100. After next Monday, we should know if it continues to see the same appeal.

Also check out some other earnings reports that we're following, and let us know what you're expecting.