Melco Barcelona casino bid could face delays

Lawrence Ho’s pursuit of a license to run a casino in the Spanish city of Barcelona may be held up.

Ho controlled companies Melco International Development Ltd. and MelcoLot Ltd., in its filing to Hong Kong Stock Exchange last week, announced that the second-phase tender process for its bid for a casino license near Barcelona may face delay.

The possible delay is due to the Catalan Government’s uncertainty in announcing the conclusion of an urban planning master plan involving the reorganization of the environment of the tourist recreational center of Vila-Seca and Salou. The company has revealed that a regional election in Catalonia in September 2015 had not been able to produce a single majority party or ruling coalition. As such, there is uncertainty regarding the outcome of previous consultations for the casino license.

According to the filing, the Catalan government proposed the master plan in the third quarter of 2015 for public consultation until December 1 of last year. A definitive master plan was supposed to be completed within three months after the end of the public consultation phase. Applications were to be submitted within one month after the said plan was published.