Donaco to acquire Star Vegas by July 1, unfazed by Thai casino legalization talk

Australian-listed casino operator Donaco International says its acquisition of the Star Vegas Resort & Club in Poipet, Cambodia will be completed by July 1.

Donaco announced the $360m acquisition in January and now says it has successfully completed its due diligence. Donaco will assume complete control of the Star Vegas property on July 1, two months later than it had originally planned. The balance of the payments owed the current vendors will be made by late July.

Star Vegas currently boasts 109 gaming tables, 1,264 gaming machines and 385 hotel rooms. Union Gaming Research Macau has called Star Vegas ‘the only resort in Poipet for which an argument can be made that it is approaching international standards.”

Star Vegas is one of 10 casinos in Poipet, which is located on Cambodia’s border with Thailand. Poipet casinos cater mainly to Thai gamblers, who aren’t allowed to gamble in their own country and who don’t need a visa to cross the border. Poipet casinos accept Thai baht, another factor that keeps Thai gamblers from travelling further afield to satisfy their gambling urges.