Las Vegas Sands beats forecasts with $3.58B revenue and eyes Japan expansion

Sheldon Adelson's empire thrives as Macau profits soar and Japan's casino bill nears approval. Can Las Vegas Sands dominate Asia's next gambling frontier?

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2026 May 7 . 5:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old Japanese banknote with Chinese writing on it. The note is from Japan and... — The image shows an old Japanese banknote with Chinese writing on it. The note is from Japan and features a picture of a building in the center. The text on the note reads "Japan 5 Shillings".

Las Vegas Sands beats forecasts with $3.58B revenue and eyes Japan expansion

Las Vegas Sands, the world’s biggest casino operator, has reported strong financial growth in early 2018. The company’s first-quarter sales rose by 17% to $3.58 billion, beating market forecasts. Now, its founder, Sheldon Adelson, is eyeing expansion into Japan and South Korea as new casino markets open up.

The company’s profits climbed to $1.04 per share in the first three months of 2018. Analysts had predicted lower figures, but a 26% jump in EBITDA—reaching $789 million—drove the gains. Most of this success came from its Macau properties, where business surged.

Adelson also announced plans to double the junket VIP room space in Macau within a year. This move aims to attract more high rollers to the region, strengthening the company’s dominance there. Beyond Macau, Japan is becoming a key target. The country’s legislature is set to pass an integrated resorts (IR) bill on Friday, paving the way for legal casinos. Adelson believes Las Vegas Sands is the leading contender for a Japanese licence. He has also expressed interest in South Korea, where only one casino, Kangwon Land, currently accepts bets from local residents.

With strong financial results and ambitious expansion plans, Las Vegas Sands is positioning itself for further growth. The company’s focus on Macau, Japan, and South Korea reflects its strategy to dominate emerging and established markets. If Japan’s casino bill passes, the race for licences will likely intensify.