Genting Malaysia launches resort, casino in the Bahamas

KUALA LUMPUR: Genting Malaysia Bhd, through its Resorts World brand, has expanded its footprint to the Bahamas by launching a 750-acre (303ha) boutique resort and casino located on North Bimini Island, which is less than 50 nautical miles or just two hours away from the city of Miami in the US.

Known as Resorts World Bimini, the development adds to Genting’s other international properties located in New York, London and Singapore. Resorts World Bimini is a partnership between Genting Malaysia and RAV Bahamas Ltd, the developer of the resort.

“The 750-acre luxurious beachfront resort will contain villas, accommodation, restaurants, a fisherman’s village with shopping and dining options and other resort amenities, as well as the largest marina in the Bahamas,” Genting Malaysia said in a statement yesterday.

The group also announced its new 32,000-tonne cruise ship, the Bimini SuperFast, which will sail between Miami and Bimini twice daily.

“It is our idea to have our customers board a fast cruise ship to the resort and also give them the option to enjoy a cruising experience with top service and entertainment facilities onboard our new ship,” said chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay in a statement yesterday.

Bahamas Prime Minister Perry G Christie officially launched Resorts World Bimini and Bimini SuperFast yesterday. The cruise ship, costing US$95 million (RM300 million) has a capacity of up to 3,000 passengers.

Genting will also build at its expense a deep water jetty and terminal costing US$10 million.

The group currently operates Resorts World Casino New York City, a video lottery facility at the Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City. The first such facility located in the city, it has approximately 5,000 gaming machines and also stages shows and events.

In the UK, Genting is one of the largest casino operators in the country. It operates six casinos in London and 35 casinos in the UK provinces. The group is presently developing a leisure and entertainment complex at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, to be known as Resorts World Birmingham.

Resorts World Birmingham, when completed, will feature a casino, hotel accommodation, spa, conference and banqueting centre, cinema, food and beverage outlets and retail outlets.  

In Singapore, Genting owns Resorts World Sentosa, which is one of the largest fully integrated destination resorts in Southeast Asia.  — by Shalini Kumar


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on July 02, 2013.