Macau's Sands Stakes Claim As World's Largest Casino

Sands Macau, the pioneering Las Vegas-style casino that has revolutionized Macau's gambling industry, claims to be the largest in the world after expanding its gaming rooms, according to a Thursday statement.

Sands, owned by American casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson, opened a new third floor, boosting the number of gaming tables by almost two thirds to 740.

The existing two floors -- including VIP rooms -- have also been extended, the company said, and the casino has also boosted its slot machines by 365 to 1,254.

'The addition of these tables now confirms Sands Macau's position as the largest casino in the world,' the statement said.

Sands was the first foreign-owned casino to open in Macau when the former Portuguese enclave's gaming market was liberalized after 40 years under the control of tycoon Stanley Ho.

It spearheaded a wave of some US$25 billion investment that will see dozens of new casino and hotel resorts open in the next five years, revitalizing a century-old industry that had become mired in gang-related violence and declining earnings.

Sands' owners are also building a huge casino district on newly reclaimed land that will hold some 20 of the new resorts, including a replica of the successful Venetian hotel in Las Vegas.