Las Vegas Sands Ends iGaming Operations and Refocuses on Asia Growth

Las Vegas Sands has officially ended its digital experiment, closing Sands Digital Services (SDS) and laying off up to 400 employees, including about 150 in Las Vegas. The Review-Journal first reported the closure, which marks the end of the company’s brief venture into online casino technology.

Good to Know

• Around 400 employees were impacted by the SDS closure, including 150 in Las Vegas.
• SDS had focused on live dealer platforms for legal online casino states like New Jersey and Michigan.
• Sands now turns its attention to expansion projects in Macau and Singapore.

Sands launched its digital division in 2021, shortly after selling its iconic Las Vegas Strip properties—The Venetian and Palazzo—for $6.25 billion. That sale was meant to fund new digital investments, including early stakes in Qbet and other online ventures. But after three years, company leadership decided the digital direction no longer fit its long-term strategy.

Patrick Dumont, president and COO of Las Vegas Sands, addressed staff in a letter dated October 2, confirming that the company had reassessed the future of SDS. He said:

“As has always been the entrepreneurial approach of our company, investments in SDS were made with the understanding there would be multiple points in the process where we would assess the most pragmatic path forward. Ultimately, we reached a moment in which it was clear to executive leadership and our board of directors that further pursuit of this business was no longer aligned with the company’s core long-term objectives.”

The decision halts Sands’ efforts to establish a foothold in the fast-growing U.S. iGaming market, which continues to evolve rapidly across states like Pennsylvania and Michigan. Instead, the company will reallocate resources to its core land-based operations, especially in Asia.

Executives say the next growth phase centers on Macau and Singapore. In Macau, Sands owns and operates several major casino resorts, while Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands is undergoing a massive multi-year expansion designed to attract more international tourism and convention business.

Despite the retreat from digital gaming, Sands has been performing strongly in its core markets. The company’s second-quarter earnings, released in July, showed total revenue of $3.18 billion, driven primarily by Asia. Macau generated $1.8 billion, up 2.5%, while Singapore surged 36% to $1.4 billion. Net profits reached 79 cents per share, comfortably beating analyst expectations of 53 cents.

Robert Goldstein, CEO of Las Vegas Sands, said during the earnings call that the company remains confident in its Asian operations:

“We see continued strength in both markets, and our capital investment programs are producing encouraging results.”

Industry observers believe the closure of SDS underscores how challenging it remains for major land-based casino operators to break into digital gaming. While competitors such as MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment have developed strong online divisions, Sands has chosen to double down on its integrated resort model—where physical experience remains the main draw.

For employees affected by the shutdown, Sands is reportedly providing severance packages and career transition assistance.

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