- Christopher Palmeri, Bloomberg
Las Vegas Sands Corp. has had discussions with potential partners in the fast-growing field of sports betting, setting the stage for a major shift in the company’s strategy, according to people familiar with the situation.
Robert Goldstein, acting chief executive officer, is in the early stages of talks, but plans could involve using the Sands brands or the broader development of a betting platform by the company, said the people, who asked not be identified because the discussions are private.
The company announced this week that its founder and longtime CEO, Sheldon Adelson, is taking medical leave. Creating a sports betting platform may mean embracing online wagering — something Adelson has previously opposed. The billionaire has lobbied to prevent its legalization at the local and national level, based on moral grounds. Adelson has said he believes online games such as virtual slot machines make it too easy for patrons to lose money.
