BETHLEHEM, Pa., June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- After having already welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to the property since it soft-opened on May 22, Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, and its parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS), today used the cutting of a ceremonial steel chain to officially welcome the new property to the company's family of integrated resort destinations.

With Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Chairman Gregory C. Fajt, and Bethlehem Mayor John B. Callahan all in attendance, LVS Chairman Sheldon G. Adelson said the company was excited to have opened its first US property outside of Las Vegas and he predicted a long and successful partnership between Sands Bethlehem, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the residents and businesses of the local community.

"We like to say that not all casino resort properties are created equal and with its advantageous location, intriguing design, and its popular amenities - like Emeril Lagasse's Chop House - we think Sands Bethlehem will become the new standard against which other regional casino properties will be judged," said Mr. Adelson. "With its close proximity to New York, Philadelphia, and the northern New Jersey suburbs, we are confident Sands Bethlehem will quickly become and remain one of the region's top gaming and entertainment destinations."

Situated on the site of the historic Bethlehem Steel plant in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and located approximately 60 minutes from Philadelphia and the northern New Jersey suburbs, and 90 minutes from New York City, Sands Bethlehem debuted with 3,000 state-of-the-art slot machines and a new signature restaurant from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. In addition to Emeril's Chop House, the resort features an authentic Irish pub, a 24-hour Cafe, and the varied offerings and cuisines of The Market Gourmet Express. It is also home to the Molten lounge, which features live entertainment seven days a week.

Mr. Adelson said Las Vegas Sands worked extremely hard to preserve and protect the heritage of the historic location and that the redevelopment of a major Brownfield site such as this could be used as a model for other Brownfield locations across the country. He cited significant tax revenue for state and local communities, the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and increased tourism as the major benefits of such redevelopment efforts.

Sands Bethlehem President Robert DeSalvio said he was most proud of the fact that the property opening created 1,000 new jobs. "The positive impact of Sands Bethlehem has already been felt by hundreds of families who have had a parent, relative, or friend find a new job in this building," said Mr. DeSalvio. He added that in addition to the direct jobs created through the opening of the Sands, hundreds of additional indirect jobs have been created or maintained to provide ancillary support for the property. "We truly hope that with this economic engine now set in motion it will serve as a strong catalyst for long-term economic growth and prosperity for the entire community," he concluded.

Sands Bethlehem will open an additional 2,000 slot machines in late November. The development also consists of plans for a 300-room hotel, 200,000 square feet of shopping space for popular retailers and designers, and nearly 50,000 square feet of flexible multi-purpose space, which will allow the property to accommodate meetings, conventions, and a variety of special events.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond the company's control, which may cause material differences in actual results, performance or other expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, competition, new ventures, substantial leverage and debt service, government regulation, legalization of gaming, interest rates, future terrorist acts, insurance, gaming junket operators, risks relating to our Macao gaming concession, infrastructure in Macao and other factors detailed in the reports filed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. Las Vegas Sands Corp. assumes no obligation to update such information.

ABOUT LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) is the leading international developer of multi-use integrated resorts.

The Las Vegas, Nevada-based company owns and operates The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino, and the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas and the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem(TM) in Eastern Pennsylvania. The company also owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel and the Sands Macao in the People's Republic of China (PRC) Special Administrative Region of Macao. In addition, LVS owns the Four Seasons Hotel Macao and is also developing the Marina Bay Sands(TM) integrated resort in Singapore.

LVS is also creating the Cotai Strip(R), a master-planned development of resort-casino properties in Macao. At completion, the Cotai Strip will feature approximately 21,000 rooms from world-renowned hotel brands such as St. Regis, Sheraton, Shangri-La, Traders, Hilton, Conrad, Fairmont, Raffles, Holiday Inn, and InterContinental.

    Contacts:    Investment Community:   Daniel Briggs  (702) 414-1221    Media:                  Ron Reese      (702) 414-3607

SOURCE Las Vegas Sands Corp.