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.