"We are hoping the slot machines will generate annual receipts of up to HK$50 million," allowing a return on investment in about three years, executive director Vanessa Fan said.

One floor in the hotel-casino will be used for slot machines, which will accommodate up to 350 gamblers, with three floors given over to public gaming rooms instead of the four previously planned, Emperor spokesperson Sidney Luk said. The number of tables will be unchanged at 65.

ADVERTISEMENT

"The delayed opening of the hotel- casino means the payback period for the project will be put back, which is bad news for Emperor Entertainment Hotel," said an analyst at a local brokerage.

Emperor Entertainment Hotel will also have eight VIP rooms spread over three further floors, Fan said.

"Having the slot machines will boost the casino's appeal to mid-stakes gamblers and increase visitor numbers," she said. "The opening of the casino has been put back as a result of the slot machine installations."

The hotel-casino, which is filling a converted office building near Macau Fisherman's Wharf, has so far cost about HK$1.5 billion, Luk said. "We are hoping we can recoup the total costs of the project three years after opening," she said.

Emperor Entertainment Hotel will own 45 percent of the hotel-casino. Other investors include Stanley Ho- controlled Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, which owns 20 percent of the project, and film star Jackie Chan, who has a 5 percent stake.

The hotel-casino will open the slot machines room and the public gaming rooms to the public later this month, and will open the VIP rooms only after the grand opening in December 22, Luk said.