As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2009

Registration No. 333-      

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Form F-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

 

Melco Crown Entertainment Limited

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

 

36th Floor, The Centrium
60 Wyndham Street
Central
Hong Kong
(852) 2598-3600
(Address and Telephone Number of Registrant’s Principal Executive Office)

 

 

 

 

CT Corporation System
111 Eight Avenue, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(212) 894-8940
(Name, Address, and Telephone Number for Agent of Service)

 

 

 

 

Copies to:

 

Thomas M. Britt III, Esq.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
13th Floor, Entertainment Building
30 Queen’s Road Central
Hong Kong SAR
China
(852) 2160-9800

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement, as determined by market conditions and other factors.

 

 

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box.  x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 13, 2009

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Melco Crown Entertainment Limited

(incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)

 

$400,000,000 American Depositary Shares
each representing three Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

 

This prospectus relates to the proposed sale from time to time by us of American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited. Each ADS represents three ordinary shares, par value US$0.01 per share, of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited. The ADSs are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs. No securities are being offered by selling security holders.

 

Our ADSs are quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MPEL”. On April 9, 2009, the last reported sale price of our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was US$4.82 per ADS.

 

When securities are offered under this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue of securities. You should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. We may sell these securities to or through underwriters, and also to other purchasers or through dealers or agents, or through any combination of these methods, on a continuous or delayed basis. The names of the underwriters will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of ADSs or ordinary shares unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

Investing in these securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6.

 

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is               , 2009.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-3 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. We may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus by means of a prospectus supplement or by incorporating by reference information that we file or furnish to the SEC. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. The registration statement that we filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more detail on the matters discussed in this prospectus. Before you invest in any securities offered by this prospectus, you should read this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement and the related exhibits filed with the SEC, together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation By Reference”.

 

We may sell securities to underwriters who will sell the securities to the public at a fixed offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The prospectus supplement will contain the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, together with the terms of offering, the compensation of those underwriters and the net proceeds to us. Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the offering may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

 

In this prospectus, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we”, “us”, “our company”, “our” and the “Company” refer to Melco Crown Entertainment Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability, and its predecessor entities and its consolidated subsidiaries; “Melco” refers to Melco International Development Limited, a Hong Kong listed company; “Crown” refers to Crown Limited, an Australian listed corporation which completed its acquisition of the gaming businesses and investments of PBL, now known as Consolidated Media Holdings Limited, on December 12, 2007 and which is now our shareholder and, as the context may require, shall include its predecessor, PBL; “Melco Crown Gaming” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Melco Crown Gaming (Macau) Limited, a Macau Company; “PBL” refers to Publishing and Broadcasting Limited, an Australian listed corporation which is now known as Consolidated Media Holdings Limited; and “our subconcession” refers to the Macau gaming subconcession held by Melco Crown Gaming.

 

 

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information we have previously filed with the SEC or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, is accurate only as of the date of the documents containing the information.

 

 

We are a developer, owner and, through our subsidiary Melco Crown Gaming, operator of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities focused on the Macau market. Melco Crown Gaming is one of six companies licensed, through concessions or subconcessions, to operate casinos in Macau. We were initially formed as a 50/50 joint venture between Melco and PBL as their exclusive vehicle to carry on casino, gaming machines and casino hotel operations in Macau. Subsequently, Crown acquired all the gaming businesses and investments of PBL, including PBL’s investment in us.

 

Through our existing operations and our development projects, we will cater to a broad spectrum of potential gaming patrons, including patrons who seek the excitement of high stake rolling chip gaming, as well as more casual gaming patrons seeking a broader entertainment experience. We will seek to attract these patrons from throughout Asia and in particular from Greater China.

 

Our leadership and vision have been evidenced during the last couple of years through the early development of the Mocha brand, the evolution of the Crown Macau property, the ability to diversify our portfolio of properties and supporting our staff through market leading business models.

 

Our existing operations and our development projects consist of:

 

 

 

In September 2007, we entered into a US$1.75 billion senior secured credit facility, or the City of Dreams Project Facility, to finance a portion of the total project costs of City of Dreams. On September 24, 2007, the first drawdown which comprised both Hong Kong dollars and US dollars totaling the equivalent of US$500.2 million was made under the City of Dreams Project Facility. Subsequent drawdowns took place on September 9, October 14 and December 9, 2008, which comprised of both Hong Kong dollars and US dollars totaling the equivalent of US$485.4 million, US$177.9 million and US$249.0 million, respectively, under the City of Dreams Project Facility. Subject to satisfaction of the relevant conditions precedent, a further US$323.5 million remained available for

future drawdowns as at December 31, 2008 and approximately US$50.3 million remains available for future drawdown as of the date of this prospectus. As of December 31, 2008, we have approximately US$116.6 million of outstanding shareholder loans from Melco and Crown, of which US$115.6 million was in the form of fixed term loans repayable in May 2010.

 

On December 18, 2006, we completed our initial public offering of ADSs, raising approximately US$1.1 billion of net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions, which excludes the proceeds from the exercise of an over-allotment option by the underwriters in January 2007. Our ADSs are listed for quotation on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MPEL”. On November 6, 2007, we completed our follow-on offering of ADSs, raising approximately US$564 million of net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

Our objective is to become a leading provider of gaming, leisure and entertainment services capitalizing on the expected future growth opportunities in Macau. To achieve our objective, we have developed the following business strategies:

 

 

 

 

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 36th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong. Our telephone number at this address is 852-2598-3600 and our fax number is 852-2537-3618.

 

You should direct all inquiries to us at the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices set forth above. Our website is www.melco-crown.com. The information contained on our website does not form part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation System located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011.

 

An investment in the ADSs involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the accompanying prospectus supplement before investing in any securities that may be offered hereunder. In particular, as we are a non-U.S. company, there are risks associated with investing in the ADSs that are not typical with investments in the shares of U.S. companies. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations would likely suffer, the trading price of the ADSs could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

Risks Relating to Our Early Stage of Development

 

We are in an early stage of development of our business and properties, and so we are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Our limited operating history may not serve as an adequate basis to judge our future operating results and prospects.

 

In significant respects we remain in a developmental phase of our business and there is limited historical information available about our company upon which you can base your evaluation of our business and prospects. In particular, we opened Crown Macau less than two years ago and are still in the process of constructing City of Dreams. The Macau peninsula project is at an even more preliminary stage of development, and we have not completed the acquisition of the site. The Mocha Club business, which we acquired in 2005, did not commence operations until 2003. Melco Crown Gaming acquired its subconcession and previously did not have any direct experience operating casinos in Macau. As a result, you should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks, expenses and challenges that we will face as an early-stage company seeking to develop and operate major new development projects and gaming businesses in an intensely competitive market.

 

Among other things, we are still in the process of:

 

 

We have encountered and will continue to encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by early- stage companies, and those risks and difficulties may be heightened in a rapidly developing market such as the gaming market in Macau. Some of the risks relate to our ability to:

 

 

 

If we are unable to complete any of these tasks, we may be unable to complete those of our projects that are currently under development and operate our businesses in the manner we contemplate and generate revenues from such projects in the amounts and by the times we anticipate. We may also be unable to meet the conditions to draw on our existing or future financing facilities in order to fund our development, construction and acquisition activities or may suffer a default under our existing or future financing facilities. If any of these events were to occur, it would cause a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.

 

We could encounter problems that substantially increase the costs to develop our projects.

 

The budget estimated for the Macau peninsula project is based on preliminary projections, conceptual design documents and schedule estimates that are prepared with the assistance of our architects and contractors and are subject to change as the plans and design documents are developed and as contract packages are let into the marketplace. We expect revisions to our estimated project costs as we firm up our design plans and hire architects, contractors and sub-contractors for these projects.

 

All our projects are subject to significant development and construction risks, which could have a material adverse impact on our project timetables and costs and our ability to complete the projects. These risks include the following:

 

 

The occurrence of any of these development and construction risks could increase the total costs, delay or prevent the construction or opening or otherwise affect the design and features of our projects that are under development, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We cannot guarantee that our construction costs or total project costs for our projects will not increase.

 

Our contractors and sub-contractors may not be able to secure lower cost labor and other inputs from mainland China on a timely basis and in an adequate amount, as they need to obtain required licenses from the Macau government to do so. The application for such licenses, if granted at all, may take several weeks or months. Increases in input costs of construction and financing costs in Macau will increase the risk that contractors will fail to perform under their contracts on time, within budget, or at all, and could increase the costs of any contracts that we may enter into for our projects.

We could encounter problems in the pre-opening phase of City of Dreams which could delay its opening and operation.

 

We are in the process of completing the construction and pre-opening planning for City of Dreams, and we are recruiting 7,000 new employees required to be able to open and operate City of Dreams. Any factors that adversely affect any part of these processes may cause a delay in the opening of City of Dreams. In addition, an occupancy permit is required to be issued by the Macau government prior to the opening and operation of City of Dreams. The issuance of an occupancy permit for City of Dreams is subject to administrative procedures which are in certain aspects beyond our control. Upon completion of construction, in order to obtain the formal occupancy permit, we are subject to an inspection led by the Macau Public Works and Transport Department which also includes the participation of representatives from the Institute for Civil and Municipal Affairs, the Health Department and the Fire Department. Any unfavorable report from any of these departments may result in a delay in the issue of a formal occupancy permit or rejection of its issuance. Among other details, the inspection is aimed at verifying that construction has been completed in accordance with the approved construction project, the technical details of construction and the certification by the local electricity company that the project was completed in line with local guidelines and may be connected with the electricity distribution network. The inspection report is thereafter subject to certification by the Head of the Macau Public Works and Transport Department who is responsible for the issuance of the occupancy permit. Until such permit is issued we are not able to open or operate City of Dreams as planned. This permit is separate and independent from the operating licenses we are required to obtain in order to operate our hotels and food and beverage outlets. Such operating licenses require further inspections led by the Macau Government Tourism Office, which include the participation of representatives from the Labour Department, the Public Works and Transport Department, the Institute for Civil and Municipal Affairs, the Health Department, the Sports Department, the Police Department and the Fire Department. Any unfavorable report from any of these departments may result in a delay in the issue of the operating licenses or rejection of their issuance. Such delay in or rejection of the issuance of the operating licenses could delay the opening and operation of City of Dreams, which could in turn cause a default under the City of Dreams Project Facility.

 

We may require debt and equity funding to complete our pipeline of future projects and we may be required to incur significant additional indebtedness or sell convertible bonds, ADSs or other equity or equity-linked securities. Our ability to obtain additional financing may be limited, which could delay or prevent the opening of one or more of our projects.

 

We may require more debt and equity funding to complete our pipeline of future projects, fund initial operating activities and service debt payments, depending on whether our projects are completed within budget, the timing of completion and commencement of revenue generating operations, any further investments and/or acquisitions we may make, and the amount of cash flow from our operations. If delays and cost overruns are significant, the additional funding we would require could be substantial. The raising of additional debt funding by us, if required, would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in additional operating and financing covenants, or liens on our assets, that would restrict our operations. The sale of additional equity securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders.

 

Our ability to obtain required additional capital on acceptable terms is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:

 

 

 

Without the necessary capital, we may not be able to:

 

 

We cannot assure you that the necessary financing will be available in the future in the amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all. If we fail to raise additional funds in such amounts and at such times as we may need, we may be forced to reduce our expenditures and growth to a level that can be supported by our cash flow and delay the development of our projects, which may result in default and exercise of remedies by the lenders under our loan facilities, whose loans we expect to be secured by liens on substantially all the shares and assets of our subsidiaries. In that event, we would be unable to complete our projects under construction and could suffer a partial or complete loss of investment in our projects.

 

Servicing the debt of our subsidiaries requires a significant amount of cash, and our subsidiaries may not generate a sufficient level of cash flow from their businesses to make scheduled payments on their debt.

 

Our subsidiaries’ ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance their indebtedness depends on our subsidiaries’ future performance, which is subject to certain economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our subsidiaries may not generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service their debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If they are unable to generate such cash flow, our subsidiaries may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt, incurring additional indebtedness or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our subsidiaries’ ability to refinance their indebtedness will depend on the financial markets and their financial condition at such time. Our subsidiaries may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our subsidiaries’ debt obligations and a material adverse effect on the value of our ADSs.

 

Even if our development projects are completed as planned, they may not be financially successful, which would limit our cash flow and would adversely affect our operations and our ability to repay our debt.

 

Even if our development projects are completed as planned, they still may not be financially successful ventures or generate the cash flows that we anticipate. We may not attract the level of patronage that we are seeking.

If any of our projects does not attract sufficient business, this will limit our cash flow and would adversely affect our operations and our ability to service payments under our existing and any future loan facilities.

 

Risks Relating to the Completion and Operation of Our Projects

 

For the City of Dreams project, we have directly negotiated and entered into contracts with our construction contractors and vendors, which may increase the risk of delay and cost overruns.

 

We have directly negotiated and entered into contracts with our construction contractors and vendors for the City of Dreams project, with the support of our construction manager (with the exception of certain contracts that are related to common temporary site services which are entered into and managed by the construction manager). This approach increases the administrative burden of managing construction contracts, and the risk of construction delays and cost overruns. If we are ineffective in directly overseeing contractual relationships with and ensuring satisfactory performance of those contracts by our construction contractors and vendors, we may experience delays and increases in construction costs in connection with the City of Dreams project.

 

You should not place undue reliance on our forecasts of budget variance for the construction costs of Phases I and II of City of Dreams.

 

Our projection of the variance of actual construction costs from the original budgeted construction costs for phases I and II of City of Dreams has been prepared by our management based on achieved construction contract prices for a substantial majority of phases I and II of the total project. The final outturn costs for phases I and II are inherently uncertain and are subject to price variances due to change order requests together with business, economic, regulatory and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause such variance to differ materially from the projected variance. Further, the actual variance will not be determined for as much as 12 months from completion of construction because negotiations with contractors with respect to held back payments generally continue well past completion of construction. Such projection (and the assumptions underlying it) have not been reviewed or considered by any independent accountant or financial expert. In addition, our construction budget for phases I and II of City of Dreams does not include all expenses to be incurred in completing the project. For example, our construction budget for City of Dreams through completion does not include pre-opening costs or the construction costs of the apartment hotel that is planned for phase III of the project. Accordingly, investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on our projected variance from budget for the construction costs of phases I and II of City of Dreams.

 

Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all losses that we may suffer from our projects. In addition, our insurance costs may increase and we may not be able to obtain the same insurance coverage in the future.

 

If we incur loss or damage for which we are held liable for amounts exceeding the limits of our insurance coverage, or for claims outside the scope of our insurance coverage, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. For example, certain casualty events, such as labor strikes, nuclear events, acts of war, loss of income due to cancellation of conventions or room reservations arising from fear of terrorism, deterioration or corrosion, insect or animal damage and pollution may not be covered under our policies. As a result, certain acts and events could expose us to significant uninsured losses. In addition to the damages caused directly by a casualty loss such as fire, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, we may suffer a disruption of our business as a result of these events or be subject to claims by third parties who may be injured or harmed. While we intend to carry business interruption insurance and general liability insurance, such insurance may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and, in any event, may not be adequate to cover all losses that may result from such events.

 

For the construction of City of Dreams, we have obtained insurance policies providing coverage for construction risks that we believe are typically insured in the construction of gaming and hospitality projects in Macau and Hong Kong. However, this insurance coverage excludes certain types of loss and damage, such as loss or damage from acts of terrorism or liability for death or illness caused by contagious or infectious diseases. If loss or damage of those types were to occur, we could suffer significant uninsured losses. The cost of coverage, however,

may in the future become so high that we may be unable to obtain the insurance policies we deem necessary for the construction and operation of our projects on commercially practicable terms, or at all, or we may need to reduce our policy limits or agree to certain exclusions from our coverage. We cannot assure you that any such insurance policies we may obtain will be adequate to protect us from material losses.

 

Construction at our projects is subject to hazards that may cause personal injury or loss of life, thereby subjecting us to liabilities and possible losses, which may not be covered by insurance.

 

The construction of large scale properties such as our development projects can be dangerous. Construction workers at our projects are subject to hazards that may cause personal injury or loss of life, thereby subjecting the contractor and us to liabilities, possible losses, delays in completion of the projects and negative publicity. We believe that we and our contractors take safety precautions that are consistent with industry practice, but these safety precautions may not be adequate to prevent serious personal injuries or loss of life, damage to property or delays. If future accidents occur during the construction of our projects, we may be subject to delays, including delays imposed by regulators, liabilities and possible losses, which may not be covered by insurance, and our business, prospects and reputation may be materially and adversely affected.

 

We may continue to encounter all of the risks associated with the development and construction of our projects in the future.

 

In connection with the development and ongoing construction of our projects, we encountered a number of risks, including risks related to construction delays, budget overruns, construction contract disputes, failure to obtain, or not obtaining in a timely manner, the necessary government concessions, licenses, permits and approvals, among others. We also experienced increased holding costs as a result of delays. Many projects in Macau are on hold due to financing issues and over supply concerns. We are and expect to continue to be exposed to similar risks in the development and construction of our ongoing and future projects.

 

If we are unable to obtain approval for an increase in the developable gross floor area of the City of Dreams site and the consequent amendments to the terms of our recently obtained land concession, we could forfeit all or a substantial part of our investment in the site and we would not be able to complete and fully operate the facility as planned.

 

Land concessions in Macau are issued by the Macau government and generally have a term of 25 years, which is renewable for further consecutive periods of up to ten years each until December 19, 2049 in accordance with Macau law. There are common formulas generally used to determine the cost of these land concessions. On January 31, 2008, we received from the Macau government the final terms of the land lease agreement to be entered into with the Macau SAR for the two adjacent land parcels consisting of approximately 113,325 square meters (1.2 million sq. ft.) of land in Cotai that comprise the City of Dreams site. Our subsidiaries Melco Crown (COD) Developments and Melco Crown Gaming accepted the final terms of the land lease agreement on February 11, 2008 and Melco Crown (COD) Developments made the first scheduled land premium payment on the same date. On August 13, 2008, the Macau government formally granted a land concession to Melco Crown (COD) Developments for a period of 25 years, renewable for further consecutive periods of up to ten years each. The premium is approximately MOP 842.1 million, of which MOP 300.0 million was paid in February 2008 and the remaining premium, accrued with 5% interest, will be paid in nine biannual installments. The land concession enables Melco Crown (COD) Developments to develop five star hotels, four star hotels, apartment hotels and a parking area with the total gross floor area of 515,156 square meters (approximately 5,545,093 sq. ft.). If we are unable to obtain approval to increase the developable gross floor area and the consequent amendments to the land concession on terms that are acceptable to us, we may not be able to complete and fully operate City of Dreams as planned and we could lose all or a substantial part of our investment in City of Dreams. As of December 31, 2008, we had paid approximately US$1.42 billion of the project costs, excluding the cost of land, for the City of Dreams project, primarily consisting of construction costs and design and consultation fees. The majority of the development and construction costs for hotel and casino projects are typically spent closer to the completion of such projects and we expect that a large portion of our remaining expenditures budgeted for the City of Dreams project, as well as

potential additional amounts in excess of the budgeted amounts, will be spent in the months leading up to the expected opening date of City of Dreams.

 

We will need to recruit a substantial number of new employees before each of our projects can open and competition may limit our ability to attract qualified management and personnel.

 

We required extensive operational management and staff to open and operate Crown Macau. Accordingly, we undertook a major recruiting program before the Crown Macau opening. A major recruitment program for City of Dreams was launched in early 2009 and we expect to undertake another major recruitment program before the Macau peninsula project opens. The pool of experienced gaming and other skilled and unskilled personnel in Macau is severely limited. Many of our new personnel will occupy sensitive positions requiring qualifications sufficient to meet gaming regulatory and other requirements or will be required to possess other skills for which substantial training and experience may be needed. Moreover, competition to recruit and retain qualified gaming and other personnel is expected to continue. In addition, we are not currently allowed under Macau government policy to hire non-Macau resident dealers, croupiers and supervisors. We cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and retain a sufficient number of qualified individuals to operate our projects or that costs to recruit and retain such personnel will not increase significantly. The loss of the services of any of our senior managers or the inability to attract and retain qualified employees and senior management personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Our contractors may face difficulties in finding sufficient labor at an acceptable cost, which could cause delays and increase construction costs of our projects.

 

The contractors we retain to construct our projects may also face difficulties and competition in finding qualified construction laborers and managers. Immigration and labor regulations in Macau may cause our contractors to be unable to obtain sufficient laborers from China to make up any gaps in available labor in Macau and to help reduce costs of construction, which could cause delays and increase construction costs of our projects.

 

Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior management, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services or their other responsibilities cause them to be unable to devote sufficient time and attention to our company.

 

We place substantial reliance on the gaming, project development and hospitality industry experience and knowledge of the Macau market possessed by members of our senior management team, including our co-chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Lawrence Ho. The loss of the services of one or more of these members of our senior management team could hinder our ability to effectively manage our business and implement our growth and development strategies. Finding suitable replacements for Mr. Lawrence Ho or other members of our senior management could be difficult, and competition for personnel of similar experience could be intense in Macau. We do not currently carry key person insurance on any members of our senior management team.

 

Because we are and will be dependent upon a limited number of properties for a substantial portion of our cash flow, we are and will be subject to greater risks than a gaming company with more operating properties.

 

We are primarily dependent upon Mocha Clubs and Crown Macau, as well as City of Dreams (upon its opening) and possibly the Macau peninsula project (upon its completion) for our cash flow. Given that our operations are and will be conducted based on a small number of principal properties, we are and will be subject to greater risks than a gaming company with more operating properties due to the limited diversification of our businesses and sources of revenue.

Risks Relating to Our Operations in the Gaming Industry in Macau

 

Because our operations face intense competition in Macau and elsewhere in Asia, we may not be able to compete successfully and we may lose or be unable to gain market share.

 

The hotel, resort and casino businesses are highly competitive. The Macau market is dominated by gaming table play heavily skewed to baccarat, which, according to Direcção de Inspecção e Coordenação de Jogos, or DICJ, historically has accounted for more than 85% of all gaming revenues generated in Macau. Our competitors in Macau and elsewhere in Asia include many of the largest gaming, hospitality, leisure and resort companies in the world. Some of these current and future competitors are larger than us and may have more diversified resources and greater access to capital to support their developments and operations in Macau and elsewhere.

 

We also compete to some extent with casinos located in other countries, such as Malaysia, North Korea, South Korea, the Philippines and Cambodia, as well as in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere in the world, including Las Vegas and Atlantic City. In addition, certain countries, such as Singapore have legalized casino gaming and others may in the future legalize casino gaming, including Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. Singapore awarded one casino license to Las Vegas Sands and a second casino license to Genting International Bhd. in 2006. We also compete with cruise ships operating out of Hong Kong and other areas of Asia that offer gaming. The proliferation of gaming venues in Southeast Asia could significantly and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our regional competitors also include Crown’s Crown Casino Melbourne and Burswood Casino in Australia and other casino resorts that Melco and Crown may develop elsewhere in Asia outside Macau. Melco and Crown may develop different interests and strategies for projects in Asia under their joint venture which conflict with the interests of our business in Macau or otherwise compete with us for Asian gaming and leisure customers.

 

Gaming is a highly regulated industry in Macau and adverse changes or developments in gaming laws or regulations could be difficult to comply with or significantly increase our costs, which could cause our projects to be unsuccessful.

 

Gaming is a highly regulated industry in Macau. Current laws, such as licensing requirements, tax rates and other regulatory obligations, including those for anti-money laundering, could change or become more stringent resulting in additional regulations being imposed upon the gaming operations in the Crown Macau and the City of Dreams casinos, the Macau peninsula site, Macau Studio City site and the Mocha Clubs. Any such adverse developments in the regulation of the gaming industry could be difficult to comply with and significantly increase our costs, which could cause our projects to be unsuccessful. For example, the Macau government has announced its intention to set a cap in relation to the payment of commission to gaming promoters. Also the government has announced its intention to raise the minimum age required for the entrance in casinos in Macau from 18 years of age to 21 years of age. As far as employment is concerned, it was further announced that this measure, when adopted, would allow casino employees to maintain their positions while in the process of reaching the minimum required age. If implemented, this could adversely affect our ability to engage sufficient staff for the operation of our projects. Moreover, the Macau government also announced that it intends to restrict the ability of operators to open slot lounges, such as our Mocha Clubs, in residential areas. This policy may limit our ability to find new sites for the operation of new Mocha Clubs on terms acceptable to us.

 

Current Macau laws and regulations concerning gaming and gaming concessions and matters such as prevention of money laundering are, for the most part, fairly recent and there is little precedent on the interpretation of these laws and regulations. We believe that our organizational structure and operations are currently in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations of Macau, but we are still in the process of building our internal staff, systems and procedures for the future operation of our City of Dreams and Macau peninsula projects in compliance with gaming regulatory requirements and standards in Macau. These laws and regulations are complex and a court or an administrative or regulatory body may in the future render an interpretation of these laws and regulations, or issue new or modified regulations, that differ from our interpretation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Our activities in Macau are subject to administrative review and approval by various agencies of the Macau government. For example, our activities are subject to the administrative review and approval by the DICJ, the Health Department, Labour Bureau, Public Works Bureau, Fire Department, Finance Department and Macau Government Tourism Office. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain all necessary approvals, which may materially affect our business and operations. Macau law permits redress to the courts with respect to administrative actions. However, such redress is largely untested in relation to gaming regulatory issues.

 

Under Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession, the Macau government may terminate the subconcession under certain circumstances without compensation to Melco Crown Gaming, which would prevent it from operating casino gaming facilities in Macau and could result in defaults under our indebtedness and a partial or complete loss of our investments in our projects.

 

Under Melco Crown Gaming’s gaming subconcession, the Macau government has the right, after notifying Wynn Macau, to unilaterally terminate the subconcession in the event of non-compliance by Melco Crown Gaming with its basic obligations under the subconcession and applicable Macau laws. If such a termination were to occur, Melco Crown Gaming would be unable to operate casino gaming in Macau. We would also be unable to recover the US$900.0 million consideration paid to Wynn Macau for the issue of the subconcession.

 

These events could lead to the termination of Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession without compensation to Melco Crown Gaming. In many of these instances, the subconcession contract does not provide a specific cure period within which any such events may be cured and, instead, we would rely on consultations and negotiations with the Macau government to remedy any such violation. Melco Crown Gaming has entered into a service agreement with New Cotai Entertainment (Macau) Limited, or New Cotai Entertainment, and New Cotai Entertainment, LLC pursuant to which Melco Crown Gaming will operate the casino premises in its hotel casino resorts. If New Cotai Entertainment, or other parties with whom we may, in the future, enter into similar agreements were to be found unsuitable or were to undertake actions that are inconsistent with Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession terms and requirements, we could suffer penalties, including the termination of the subconcession.

 

Based on information from the Macau government, proposed amendments to the legislation with regard to reversion of casino premises are being considered. We expect that if such amendments take effect, on the expiry or any termination of Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession, unless Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession were extended, only that portion of casino premises within our developments as then designated with the approval of the Macau government, including all gaming equipment, would revert to the Macau government automatically without compensation to us. Until such amendments come into effect, all of our casino premises and gaming equipment would revert automatically without compensation to us.

 

The subconcession contract contains various general covenants, obligations and other provisions as to which the determination of compliance is subjective. For example, compliance with general and special duties of cooperation, special duties of information, and with obligations foreseen for the execution of our investment plan may be subjective. We cannot assure you that we will perform such covenants in a way that satisfies the requirements of the Macau government and, accordingly, we will be dependent on our continuing communications and good faith negotiations with the Macau government to ensure that we are performing our obligations under the subconcession in a manner that would avoid any violations.

 

Under the subconcession contract, we are required to make a minimum investment in Macau of MOP 4.0 billion (US$499.2 million), including investment in fully developing Crown Macau and the City of Dreams project, by December 2010. According to our financial statements, we believe that the amount we have invested in developing Crown Macau and the City of Dreams project as at December 31, 2008 is in excess of the minimum investment amount criteria as set out under the subconcession contract. We expect to obtain the necessary Macau government confirmation of our compliance with such minimum investment amount criteria. If we do not receive confirmation of compliance of this minimum investment amount criteria or if we do not meet the required deadline for completing other conditions in the subconcession contract, for example, due to delays in construction, we may lose the right to continue operating our properties developed under the subconcession or suffer the termination of the subconcession by the Macau government.

Under Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession, the Macau government is allowed to request various changes in the plans and specifications of our Macau properties and to make various other decisions and determinations that may be binding on us. For example, the Chief Executive of the Macau SAR has the right to require that we increase Melco Crown Gaming’s share capital or that we provide certain deposits or other guarantees of performance with respect to the obligations of our Macau subsidiaries in any amount determined by the Macau government to be necessary. Melco Crown Gaming is limited in its ability to raise additional capital by the need to first obtain the approval of the Macau gaming and governmental authorities before raising certain debt or equity. Melco Crown Gaming’s ability to incur debt or raise equity may also be restricted by our existing and any future loan facilities. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with these requirements or any other requirements of the Macau government or with the other requirements and obligations imposed by the subconcession.

 

Furthermore, pursuant to the subconcession contract, we are obligated to comply not only with the terms of that agreement, but also with laws, regulations, rulings and orders that the Macau government might promulgate in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with any such laws, regulations, rulings or orders or that any such laws, regulations, rulings or orders would not adversely affect our ability to construct or operate our Macau properties. If any disagreement arises between us and the Macau government regarding the interpretation of, or our compliance with, a provision of the subconcession contract, we will be relying on the consultation and negotiation process with the applicable Macau governmental agency described above. During any such consultation, however, we will be obligated to comply with the terms of the subconcession contract as interpreted by the Macau government.

 

Melco Crown Gaming’s failure to comply with the terms of its subconcession in a manner satisfactory to the Macau government could result in the termination of its subconcession. We cannot assure you that Melco Crown Gaming would always be able to operate gaming activities in a manner satisfactory to the Macau government. The loss of its subconcession would prohibit Melco Crown Gaming from conducting gaming operations in Macau which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and could result in defaults under our indebtedness and a partial or complete loss of our investments in our projects.

 

Currently, there is no precedent on how the Macau government will treat the termination of a concession or subconcession upon the occurrence of any of the circumstances mentioned above. Some of the laws and regulations summarized above have not yet been applied by the Macau government. Therefore, the scope and enforcement of the provisions of Macau’s gaming regulatory system cannot be fully assessed at this time.

 

The Macau government could grant additional rights to conduct gaming in the future, which could significantly increase the already intense competition in Macau and cause us to lose or be unable to gain market share.

 

Melco Crown Gaming is one of six companies authorized by the Macau government to operate gaming activities in Macau. The Macau government has announced that until further assessment of the economic situation in Macau there will not be any increase in the number of concessions or subconcessions. However, the policies and laws of the Macau government could change and the Macau government could grant additional concessions or subconcessions, and we could face additional competition which could significantly increase the competition in Macau and cause us to lose or be unable to maintain or gain market share.

 

Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession contract expires in 2022 and if we were unable to secure an extension of its subconcession in 2022 or if the Macau government were to exercise its redemption right in 2017, we would be unable to operate casino gaming in Macau.

 

Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession contract expires in 2022. Based on information from the Macau government, proposed amendments to the legislation with regard to reversion of casino premises are being considered. We expect that if such amendments take effect, on the expiry or any termination of Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession, unless Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession were extended, only that portion of casino premises within our developments as then designated with the approval of the Macau government, including all gaming equipment, would automatically revert to the Macau government without compensation to us. Until such amendments come into effect, all our casino premises and gaming equipment would revert automatically without

compensation to us. Under the subconcession contract, beginning in 2017, the Macau government has the right to redeem the subconcession contract by providing us with at least one year’s prior notice. In the event the Macau government exercises this redemption right, we would be entitled to fair compensation or indemnity. The standards for the calculation of the amount of such compensation or indemnity would be determined based on the gross revenue generated by City of Dreams during the tax year immediately prior to the redemption, multiplied by the remaining term of the subconcession. We would not receive any further compensation (including for consideration paid to Wynn Macau for the subconcession). We cannot assure you that Melco Crown Gaming would be able to renew or extend its subconcession contract on terms favorable to us, or at all. We also cannot assure you that if Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession were redeemed, the compensation paid would be adequate to compensate us for the loss of future revenues.

 

While Melco Crown Gaming will not initially be required to pay corporate income taxes on income from gaming operations under the subconcession, this tax exemption will expire in 2011, and it may not be extended.

 

The Macau government has granted to Melco Crown Gaming the benefit of a corporate tax holiday on gaming income in Macau for five years from 2007 to 2011. When this tax exemption expires, we cannot assure you that it will be extended beyond the expiration date.

 

Furthermore, the Macau Government has granted to our subsidiary Melco Crown (CM) Hotel the declaration of utility purposes benefit, pursuant to which, for a period of 12 years, it is entitled to a vehicle and property tax holiday on any vehicles and immovable property that it owns or has been granted. Additionally, under the tax holiday, this entity will also be allowed to double the maximum rates applicable regarding depreciation and reintegration for purposes of assessment of corporate income tax for the same period of time. We intend to apply for the same tax holiday for Melco Crown (COD) Hotels for our City of Dreams project, but we cannot assure you that it will be granted by the Macau Government on as favorable terms, or at all.

 

We extend credit to a portion of our customers, and we may not be able to collect gaming receivables from our credit customers.

 

We conduct our table gaming activities at our casinos to a limited degree on a credit basis, and expect to continue this practice in the future. This credit is often unsecured, as is customary in our industry. High-end patrons typically are extended more credit than patrons who tend to wager lower amounts.

 

We may not be able to collect all of our gaming receivables from our credit customers. We expect that we will be able to enforce our gaming receivables only in a limited number of jurisdictions, including Macau. As most of our gaming customers are visitors from other jurisdictions, we may not have access to a forum in which we will be able to collect all of our gaming receivables because, among other reasons, courts of many jurisdictions do not enforce gaming debts. We may encounter forums that will refuse to enforce such debts, or we may be unable to locate assets in other jurisdictions against which to seek recovery of gaming debts. The collectability of receivables from international customers could be negatively affected by future business or economic trends or by significant events in the countries in which these customers reside. We may also in given cases have to determine whether aggressive enforcement actions against a customer will unduly alienate the customer and cause the customer to cease playing at our casinos. If we accrue large receivables from the credit extended to our customers, we could suffer a material adverse impact on our operating results if those receivables are deemed uncollectible. In addition, in the event a patron has been extended credit and has lost back to us the amount borrowed and the receivable from that patron is deemed uncollectible, Macau gaming tax will still be payable on the resulting gaming revenue notwithstanding our uncollectible receivable.

 

The current credit environment may limit availability of credit to gaming patrons and may negatively impact our revenue.

 

We conduct our table gaming activities at our casinos to a limited degree on a credit basis and our gaming promoters and gaming promoter aggregator also conduct their operations by extending credit to gaming patrons. The general economic downturn and turmoil in the financial markets have placed broad limitations on the

availability of credit from credit sources as well as lengthening the recovery cycle of extended credit. Continued tightening of liquidity conditions in credit markets may constrain revenue generation and growth and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our business may face a higher level of volatility due to our focus on the rolling chip segment of the gaming market.

 

We are currently heavily dependent on the gaming revenues generated from Crown Macau. Crown Macau caters primarily to the rolling chip segment of the gaming market. The revenues generated from the rolling chip segment of the gaming market are acutely volatile primarily due to high bets, and the resulting high winnings and losses. As a result, our business and results of operations and cash flows from operations may be more volatile from quarter to quarter than that of our competitors and may require higher levels of cage cash in reserve to manage our losses.

 

We depend upon gaming promoters for a portion of our gaming revenue and if we are unable to establish, maintain and increase the number of successful relationships with gaming promoters, our ability to attract rolling chip patrons may be adversely affected. If we are unable to ensure high standards of probity and integrity in the gaming promoters with whom we are associated, our reputation may suffer or we may be subject to sanctions, including the loss of Melco Crown Gaming’s subconcession.

 

Gaming promoters, who organize tours for rolling chip patrons to casinos in Macau, are responsible for a portion of our gaming revenues in Macau. With the rise in casino operations in Macau, the competition for relationships with gaming promoters has increased. Currently we have agreements in place with approximately 26 gaming promoters. In addition, Crown has sales and marketing staff in Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Macau devoted to attracting business of gaming promoters to Crown’s existing casinos, Crown Casino Melbourne and Burswood Casino. There can be no assurance that we will be able to utilize Crown’s relationships with regional gaming promoters or enter into additional agreements with other gaming promoters. If we are unable to utilize and develop relationships with gaming promoters, our ability to grow our gaming revenues will be hampered and we will have to seek alternative ways to develop and maintain relationships with rolling chip patrons, which may not be as profitable as relationships developed through gaming promoters.

 

The Macau government has announced its intention to set a cap in relation to the level of commission payable to gaming promoters. If implemented, this policy may limit our capacity to develop successful relationships with gaming promoters and attract rolling chip patrons.

 

In addition, the reputations of the gaming promoters we deal with are important to our own reputation and Melco Crown Gaming’s ability to continue to operate in compliance with its subconcession. While we endeavor to ensure high standards of probity and integrity in the gaming promoters with whom we are associated, we cannot assure you that the gaming promoters with whom we are associated will always maintain the high standards that we require. If we were to deal with a gaming promoter whose probity was in doubt or who failed to operate in compliance with Macau law consistently, this may be considered by regulators or investors to reflect negatively on our own probity and compliance records. If a gaming promoter falls below our standards of probity, integrity and legal compliance, we and our shareholders may suffer harm to our or their reputation, as well as worsened relationships with, and possibly sanctions from, gaming regulators with authority over our operations.

 

We are dependent on the reputation and integrity of the parties with whom we engage in business activities and we cannot assure you that these parties will always maintain high standards or suitability throughout the term of our association with them. Failure to maintain such high standards or suitability may cause us and our shareholders to suffer harm to our and the shareholders’ reputation, as well as impaired relationships with, and possibly sanctions from, gaming regulators.

 

The reputation and integrity of the parties with whom we engage in business activities, in particular those who are engaged in gaming related activities, such as gaming promoters and developers and hotel operators that do not hold concessions or subconcessions and with which we have or may enter into services agreements, are important to our own reputation and to Melco Crown Gaming’s ability to continue to operate in compliance with its

subconcession. For parties we deal with in gaming related activities, where relevant, the gaming regulators undertake their own probity checks and will reach their own suitability findings in respect of the activities and parties which we intend to associate with. In addition, we also conduct our internal due diligence and evaluation process prior to engaging such parties. Notwithstanding such regulatory probity checks and our own due diligence, we cannot assure you that the parties with whom we are associated will always maintain the high standards that gaming regulators and we require or that such parties will maintain their suitability throughout the term of our association with them. If we were to deal with any party whose probity was in doubt, this may reflect negatively on our own probity when assessed by the gaming regulators. Also, if a party associated with us falls below the gaming regulators’ suitability standards, we and our shareholders may suffer harm to our and the shareholders’ reputation, as well as impaired relationships with, and possibly sanctions from, gaming regulators with authority over our operations.

 

The consolidation of operations of gaming promoters at Crown Macau under Ama International Limited, or Ama, has resulted in a significant proportion of our business becoming consolidated under one commercial arrangement, and has introduced into Macau the concept of an aggregator of gaming promoters, either of which could have an adverse impact on our future prospects.

 

Leading gaming promoters are recognizing superior economics and negotiation leverage from operational scale and market aggregation. The consolidation of operations of gaming promoters at Crown Macau under Ama in December 2007 has resulted in a significant proportion of our business becoming consolidated under one commercial arrangement, giving Ama significant negotiation leverage which could result in changes in our operational agreement which adversely affect us. In addition, duplicate aggregator operations could be launched at competitor properties which could result in the loss of business to such competitors. If we suffered a loss of business to a competitor (including as a result of the termination of our relationship with Ama), it could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and the price of our ADSs. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We cannot assure you that anti-money laundering policies that we have implemented, and compliance with applicable anti-money laundering laws, will be effective to prevent our casino operations from being exploited for money laundering purposes.

 

Macau’s free port, offshore financial services and free movements of capital create an environment whereby Macau’s casinos could be exploited for money laundering purposes. We have implemented anti-money laundering policies in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations in Macau. However, we cannot assure you that any such policies will be effective in preventing our casino operations from being exploited for money laundering purposes. Any incidents of money laundering, accusations of money laundering or regulatory investigations into possible money laundering activities involving us, our employees, our gaming promoters or our customers could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, cash flows, financial condition, prospects and results of operations.

 

If Macau’s transportation infrastructure does not adequately support the development of Macau’s gaming and leisure industry, visitation to Macau may not increase as currently expected, which may adversely affect our projects.

 

Macau consists of a peninsula and two islands and is connected to China by two border crossings. Macau has an international airport and connections to China and Hong Kong by road, ferry and helicopter. To support Macau’s planned future development as a mass-market gaming and leisure destination, the frequency of bus, plane and ferry services to Macau will need to increase. While various projects are under development to improve Macau’s internal and external transportation links, these projects may not be approved, financed or constructed in time to handle the projected increase in demand for transportation or at all, which could impede the expected increase in visitation to Macau and adversely affect our projects.

Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness

 

Our current, projected and potential future indebtedness could impair our financial condition, which could further exacerbate the risks associated with our significant leverage.

 

We have incurred and expect to incur, based on current budgets and estimates, secured long-term indebtedness, including the following:

 

 

Our significant indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:

 

 

We are in a development stage and currently do not generate sufficient cash flow to service our existing and projected indebtedness and after all our projects commence operations, we may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations because our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

 

Our ability to make scheduled payments due on our existing and anticipated debt obligations and to fund planned capital expenditures and development efforts will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. We are in a development stage and our current operations are insufficient to support the debt service on our current and anticipated debt. We will require timely completion and generation of sufficient operating cash flow from our projects to service our current and future projected indebtedness. Our ability to obtain cash to service our existing and projected debt is subject to a range of economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. After the commencement of operations of our development projects, we may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our existing and projected debt obligations, in which case, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital. We cannot assure you that any refinancing or restructuring would be possible, that any assets could be sold, or, if sold, of the timing of the sales or the amount of proceeds that would be realized from those sales. We cannot assure you that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all, or would be permitted under the terms of our various debt instruments then in effect. Our failure to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our existing and

projected debt obligations, or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms, would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The terms of our and our subsidiaries’ indebtedness may restrict our current and future operations and harm our ability to complete our projects and grow our business operations to compete successfully against our competitors.

 

The City of Dreams Project Facility and associated facility and security documents that Melco Crown Gaming has entered into also contain a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on Melco Crown Gaming, and therefore, effectively on us. The covenants in the City of Dreams Project Facility restrict or limit, among other things, our and our subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

 

In addition, the restrictions under the City of Dreams Project Facility contain financial covenants, including requirements that we satisfy certain tests or ratios in the future, such as:

 

 

These covenants may restrict our ability to operate and restrict our ability to incur additional debt or other financing we may require, and impede our growth.

 

Draw down of advances under our debt facilities involve satisfaction of extensive conditions precedent and our failure to satisfy such conditions precedent will result in our inability to access loan advances under such facilities. We do not guarantee that we are able to satisfy all conditions precedent under our current or future debt facilities.

 

Our current and future debt facilities require and will require satisfaction of extensive conditions precedent prior to the advance of loans under such facilities. The satisfaction of such conditions precedent may involve actions of third parties and matters outside of our control, such as government consents and approvals. If there is a breach of any terms or conditions of our debt facilities or other obligations and it is not cured or capable of being cured, such conditions precedent will not be satisfied. The inability to draw down loan advances in any debt facility may result in funding shortfall in our projects and we may not be able to fulfill our obligations and complete our projects as planned; such events may result in an event of default under such debt facility and may also trigger cross default in our other obligations and debt facilities. We do not guarantee that all conditions precedent to draw down loan advances under our debt facilities will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all. If we are unable to draw down loan advances under any current or future facility, we may have to find a new group of lenders and negotiate new financing terms or consider other financing alternatives. If required, it is possible that new financing would not be

available or would have to be procured on substantially less attractive terms, which could damage the economic viability of the relevant development project. The need to arrange such alternative financing would likely also delay the construction of the project, which would affect our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our failure to comply with the covenants contained in our or our subsidiaries’ indebtedness, including failure as a result of events beyond our control, could result in an event of default that could materially and adversely affect our cash flow, operating results and our financial condition.

 

If there were an event of default under one of our or our subsidiaries’ debt facilities, the holders of the debt on which we defaulted could cause all amounts outstanding with respect to that debt to become due and payable immediately. In addition, any event of default or declaration of acceleration under one debt facility could result in an event of default under one or more of our other debt instruments, with the result that all of our debt would be in default and accelerated. We cannot assure you that our assets or cash flow would be sufficient to fully repay borrowings under our outstanding debt facilities, either upon maturity or if accelerated upon an event of default, or that we would be able to refinance or restructure the payments on those debt facilities. Further, if we are unable to repay, refinance or restructure our indebtedness at our subsidiaries that own or operate our properties, the lenders under those debt facilities could proceed against the collateral securing that indebtedness, which will constitute substantially all the assets and shares of our subsidiaries. In that event, any proceeds received upon a realization of the collateral would be applied first to amounts due under those debt instruments. The value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay all of our indebtedness, which could result in the loss of your investment as a shareholder.

 

Current turmoil in the credit markets taken together with the role of the credit agencies may affect our ability to maintain current financing or obtain future financing which could result in delays in our project development schedule and could impact on our ability to generate revenue from present and future projects.

 

The current turmoil in the credit markets may adversely affect our ability to maintain our current debt facility and to obtain additional or future financing for our current and future projects. If we are unable to maintain our current debt facility or obtain suitable financing for our current or future projects, this could cause delays in, or prevent completion of, the development of such projects. This may limit our ability to expand our business and may adversely impact our ability to generate revenue. The costs incurred by any new financing may be greater than anticipated due to the current turmoil in the credit markets.

 

Rolling over existing revolving loans drawn down under the City of Dreams Project Facility involves satisfaction of conditions precedent and our failure to satisfy such conditions precedent will result in our inability to rollover such revolving loans. We do not guarantee that we are able to satisfy all conditions precedent to rollover such revolving loans.

 

The rolling over of existing revolving loans under our City of Dreams Project Facility will require satisfaction of conditions precedent prior to such rollovers. If there is a breach of any terms or conditions of our City of Dreams Project Facility and it is not cured or capable of being cured, such conditions precedent will not be satisfied. The inability to roll over such revolving loans may result in funding shortfall in our City of Dreams projects and we may not be able to fulfill our obligations and complete the project as planned. We do not guarantee that all conditions precedent to the rollover of existing revolving loans drawn under the City of Dreams Project Facility will be satisfied in a timely manner. If we are unable to roll over these revolving loans, it may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations in Macau

 

Conducting business in Macau has certain political and economic risks that may lead to significant volatility and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

All of our operations are in Macau. Accordingly, our business development plans, results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected by significant political, social and economic developments

in Macau and in China and by changes in government policies or changes in laws and regulations or the interpretations of these laws and regulations. In particular, our operating results may be adversely affected by:

 

 

Our operations in Macau are also exposed to the risk of changes in laws and policies that govern operations of Macau-based companies. Tax laws and regulations may also be subject to amendment or different interpretation and implementation, thereby adversely affecting our profitability after tax. Further, certain terms of our gaming subconcession may be subject to renegotiations with the Macau government in the future, including amounts we will be obligated to pay the Macau government in order to continue operations. Melco Crown Gaming’s obligations to make certain payments to the Macau government under the terms of its subconcession include a fixed annual premium per year and a variable premium depending on the number and type of gaming tables and gaming machines that we operate. The results of any renegotiations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

The Macau government granted us a lease for a plot of land for Crown Macau, and on August 13, 2008 granted us a lease for a plot of land for City of Dreams. However, we have yet to receive an occupancy permit for the City of Dreams site and we will apply for approval from the Macau government to increase the developable gross floor area of City of Dreams. In addition, the Macau peninsula project is at an even earlier stage of development, and if we acquire the site we would need to obtain land concession modifications and development approvals from the Macau government.

 

In January 2008, Former Secretary for Transport and Public Works of Macau, Mr. Ao Man-Long, was convicted and sentenced to a prison term of 27 years on charges involving corruption, bribery, irregular financial activities and money laundering. Those being tried and convicted in cases connected with the conviction of Mr. Ao in 2008 were related to local companies to whom several major public works and services contracts were awarded. During the investigation, additional individuals related to local Macau companies to whom land had been granted in land exchange procedures were detained and charged. After Mr. Ao’s arrest and removal from his post as Secretary for Transport and Public Works of Macau, which gave him jurisdiction over all land grants and public works and infrastructure projects in Macau, in December 2006, the Chief Executive of Macau personally assumed such role until Mr. Lao Sio-Io was appointed the new Secretary for Transport and Public Works in March 2007. In February and March 2009, Mr. Ao was subject to additional trial proceedings for further related charges. We cannot predict whether Mr. Ao’s removal and conviction, and any further prosecutions and investigations, will adversely affect the functioning of the Macau Land, Public Works and Transports Bureau, any approvals that are pending before it, or for which applications may be made in the future (including with respect to our projects), or will give rise to additional scrutiny or review of any approvals, including those for Crown Macau and City of Dreams, that were previously approved or granted through this Bureau and the Secretary for Transport and Public Works of Macau.

 

As we expect a significant number of patrons to come to our properties from China, general economic conditions and policies in China could have a significant impact on our financial prospects. The current slowdown in economic growth and recent tightening of restrictions on travel imposed by China could adversely impact the number of visitors from China to our properties in Macau as well as the amounts they are willing to spend in our casinos, which could have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations and financial condition.

Because we depend upon our properties in one market for all of our cash flow, we will be subject to greater risks than a gaming company that operates in more markets.

 

We are and will be primarily dependent upon Mocha Clubs, Crown Macau, City of Dreams (upon its opening) and the Macau peninsula project (upon its development and completion) for our cash flow. Given that our current operations are and will be conducted only at properties in Macau, we will be subject to greater risks than a gaming company with operating properties in several markets. These risks include:

 

 

Any of these conditions or events could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

Our gaming operations could be adversely affected by restrictions on the export of the Renminbi and limitations of the Pataca exchange markets.

 

Gaming operators in Macau are currently prohibited from accepting wagers in Renminbi, the currency of China. There are currently restrictions on the export of the Renminbi outside of mainland China, including to Macau. For example, Chinese traveling abroad are only allowed to take a total of RMB20,000 plus the equivalent of up to US$5,000 out of China. Restrictions on the export of the Renminbi may impede the flow of gaming customers from China to Macau, inhibit the growth of gaming in Macau and negatively impact our operations.

 

Our revenues in Macau are denominated in H.K. dollars and Patacas, the legal currency of Macau. Although currently permitted, we cannot assure you that H.K. dollars and Patacas will continue to be freely exchangeable into U.S. dollars. Also, because the currency market for Patacas is relatively small and undeveloped, our ability to convert large amounts of Patacas into U.S. dollars over a relatively short period of time may be limited. As a result, we may experience difficulty in converting Patacas into U.S. dollars.

 

Terrorism and the uncertainty of war, economic downturns and other factors affecting discretionary consumer spending and leisure travel may reduce visitation to Macau and harm our operating results.

 

The strength and profitability of our business depends on consumer demand for casino resorts and leisure travel in general. Changes in Asian consumer preferences or discretionary consumer spending could harm our business. Terrorist acts could have a negative impact on international travel and leisure expenditures, including lodging, gaming and tourism. We cannot predict the extent to which future terrorist acts may affect us, directly or indirectly. In addition to fears of war and future acts of terrorism, other factors affecting discretionary consumer spending, including general economic conditions, amounts of disposable consumer income, fears of recession and lack of consumer confidence in the economy, may negatively impact our business. Consumer demand for hotel casino resorts and the type of luxury amenities we currently offer and plan to offer in the future are highly sensitive

to downturns in the economy. An extended period of reduced discretionary spending and/or disruptions or declines in airline travel could significantly harm our operations.

 

An outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza caused by the H5N1 virus (avian flu or bird flu), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, or other contagious disease may have an adverse effect on the economies of certain Asian countries and may adversely affect our results of operations.

 

During 2004, large parts of Asia experienced unprecedented outbreaks of avian flu which, according to a report of the World Health Organization, or WHO, in 2004, placed the world at risk of an influenza pandemic with high mortality and social and economic disruption. As of March 2, 2009, the WHO has confirmed a total of 256 fatalities in a total number of 409 cases reported to the WHO, which only reports laboratory confirmed cases of avian flu since 2003. In particular, Guangdong Province, PRC, which is located across the Zhuhai Border from Macau, has confirmed several cases of avian flu. Currently, fully effective avian flu vaccines have not yet been developed and there is evidence that the H5N1 virus is evolving so there can be no assurance that an effective vaccine can be discovered in time to protect against the potential avian flu pandemic. In the first half of 2003, certain countries in Asia experienced an outbreak of SARS, a highly contagious form of atypical pneumonia, which seriously interrupted economic activities and caused the demand for goods and services to plummet in the affected regions. There can be no assurance that an outbreak of avian flu, SARS or other contagious disease or the measures taken by the governments of affected countries against such potential outbreaks, will not seriously interrupt our gaming operations or visitation to Macau, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. The perception that an outbreak of avian flu, SARS or other contagious disease may occur again may also have an adverse effect on the economic conditions of countries in Asia.

 

Macau is susceptible to severe typhoons that may disrupt our operations.

 

Macau is susceptible to severe typhoons. Macau consists of a peninsula and two islands off the coast of mainland China. In the event of a major typhoon or other natural disaster in Macau, our properties and business may be severely disrupted and our results of operations could be adversely affected. Although we or our operating subsidiaries do carry insurance coverage with respect to these events, our coverage may not be sufficient to fully indemnify us against all direct and indirect costs, including loss of business, that could result from substantial damage to, or partial or complete destruction of, our properties or other damages to the infrastructure or economy of Macau.

 

Any fluctuation in the value of the H.K. dollar, U.S. dollar or Pataca may adversely affect our expenses and profitability.

 

Although we will have certain expenses and revenues denominated in Patacas in Macau, our revenues and expenses will be denominated predominantly in Hong Kong dollars and in connection with most of our indebtedness and certain expenses, U.S. dollars. We expect to incur significant debt denominated in U.S. dollars, and the costs associated with servicing and repaying such debt will be denominated in U.S. dollars. The value of the H.K. dollar and Patacas against the U.S. dollar may fluctuate and may be affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Although the exchange rate between the H.K. dollar to the U.S. dollar has been pegged since 1983 and the Pataca is pegged to the H.K. dollar, we cannot assure you that the H.K. dollar will remain pegged to the U.S. dollar and that the Pataca will remain pegged to the H.K. dollar. We do not hedge our exposure to foreign currencies. Instead we maintain a certain amount of our operating funds in the same currencies in which we have obligations, thereby reducing our exposure to currency fluctuations. Any significant fluctuations in the exchange rates between H.K. dollars or Patacas to U.S. dollars may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and financial condition. For example, to the extent that we are required to convert U.S. dollar financings into H.K. dollars or Patacas for our operations, fluctuations in the exchange rates between H.K. dollars or Patacas against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the amounts we receive from the conversion.

 

Contract parties may not be able to secure adequate financing.

 

During the course of our business, we may enter into agreements with contract parties from which we may derive income in relation to the operation of gaming business. The inability of such contract parties to raise

sufficient funds to develop and/or undertake the relevant project and gaming operations may affect our ability to derive such income as contracted for in the relevant agreements, and this may have an adverse impact on our business.

 

Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure and Ownership

 

Our existing shareholders have a substantial influence over us and their interests in our business may be different than yours.

 

Melco and Crown together own the substantial majority of our outstanding shares, with each beneficially holding approximately 37.57% of our outstanding ordinary shares (exclusive of any ordinary shares represented by ADSs held by Melco Crown SPV Limited or the SPV) as of the date of this prospectus. Melco and Crown have entered into a shareholders deed regarding the voting of their shares of our company under which each will agree to, among other things, vote its shares in favor of three nominees to our board designated by the other.

 

As a result, Melco and Crown, if they act together, will have the power, among other things, to elect directors to our board, including six of ten directors who are designated nominees of Crown and Melco, appoint and change our management, affect our legal and capital structure and our day-to-day operations, approve material mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and other business combinations and approve any other material transactions and financings. These actions may be taken in many cases without the approval of independent directors or other shareholders and the interests of these shareholders may conflict with your interests as minority shareholders. If Melco or Crown provides shareholder support to us in the form of shareholder loans or provides credit support by guaranteeing our obligations, they may become our creditors with different interests than shareholders with only equity interests in us. The concentration of controlling ownership of our shares may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our ADSs.

 

Melco and Crown may pursue additional casino projects in Asia, which, along with their current operations, may compete with our projects in Macau which may have adverse consequences to us and the interests of our minority shareholders.

 

Melco and Crown may take action to construct and operate new gaming projects located in other countries in the Asian region, which, along with their current operations, may compete with our projects in Macau and could have adverse consequences to us and the interests of our minority shareholders. We could face competition from these other gaming projects. We also face competition from regional competitors, which include Crown’s Crown Casino Melbourne and Burswood Casino in Australia. We expect to continue to receive significant support from both Melco and Crown in terms of their local experience, operating skills, international experience and high standards. Specifically, we have support arrangements with Melco and Crown under which they provide us technical expertise in connection with the development of the City of Dreams and the Macau peninsula projects and the operations of the Crown Macau and the Mocha Clubs businesses. Should Melco or Crown decide to focus more attention on casino gaming projects located in other areas of Asia that may be expanding or commencing their gaming industries, or should economic conditions or other factors result in a significant decrease in gaming revenues and number of patrons in Macau, Melco or Crown may make strategic decisions to focus on their other projects rather than us, which could adversely affect our growth. We cannot guarantee you that Melco and Crown will make strategic and other decisions which do not adversely affect our business.

 

Business conducted through joint ventures involves certain risks.

 

We were initially formed as a 50/50 joint venture between Melco and PBL as their exclusive vehicle to carry on casino, gaming machine and casino hotel operations in Macau. Subsequently, Crown acquired all the gaming businesses and investments of PBL, including PBL’s investment in MPEL. As a joint venture controlled by Melco and Crown, there are special risks associated with the possibility that Melco and Crown may: (1) have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours or that are inconsistent with each other’s interests or goals, causing disagreement between them or between them and us which harms our business; (2) have operations and projects elsewhere in Asia that compete with our businesses in Macau and for available resources and management

attention within the joint venture group; (3) take actions contrary to our policies or objectives; (4) be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations under the relevant joint venture or shareholders’ deed; or (5) have financial difficulties. In addition, there is no assurance that the laws and regulations relating to foreign investment in Melco’s or Crown’s governing jurisdictions will not be altered in such a manner as to result in a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

 

Changes in our share ownership, including a change of control or a change in the amounts or relative percentages of our shares owned by Melco and Crown, could result in our inability to draw loans or events of default under our indebtedness.

 

The City of Dreams Project Facility includes provisions under which we may suffer an event of default upon the occurrence of a change of control with respect to Melco Crown Gaming, or a decline in the aggregate indirect holdings of Melco Crown Gaming shares by Melco and Crown below certain thresholds. These provisions are most restrictive during the time when our projects have not commenced commercial operation. Any occurrence of these events could be outside our control and could result in defaults and cross-defaults which cause the termination and acceleration of up to all of our credit facilities and potential enforcement of remedies by our lenders, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We are a holding company and our only material sources of cash are and are expected to be dividends, distributions and payments under shareholder loans from our subsidiaries.

 

We are a holding company with no material business operations of our own. Our only significant asset is the capital stock of our subsidiaries. We conduct virtually all of our business operations through our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our only material sources of cash are dividends, distributions and payments with respect to our ownership interests in or shareholder loans that we may make to our subsidiaries that are derived from the earnings and cash flow generated by our operating properties. Our subsidiaries might not generate sufficient earnings and cash flow to pay dividends, distributions or payments under shareholder loans in the future. In addition, our subsidiaries’ debt instruments and other agreements, including those that we have entered into in connection with the City of Dreams project, limit or prohibit, or are expected to limit or prohibit, certain payments of dividends, other distributions or payments under shareholder loans to us.

 

Crown’s investment in our company is subject to regulatory review in several jurisdictions and if regulators in those jurisdictions were to find that we, Crown or Melco failed to comply with certain regulatory requirements and standards, then Crown maybe required to withdraw from the joint venture.

 

Crown, through wholly owned subsidiaries, owns and operates the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia and the Burswood Casino in Perth, Australia. Crown’s wholly owned subsidiaries hold casino licenses issued by the States of Victoria and Western Australia in Australia.

 

Crown, through a 50% owned joint venture subsidiary, owns and operates three casinos in the United Kingdom. The joint venture owns a 50% interest in a fourth casino in the United Kingdom.

 

Crown, through a 50% owned joint venture subsidiary, operates under a management agreement with the relevant provincial government authority seven casinos in British Columbia and two casinos in Alberta in Canada.

 

Under a recently announced Preferred Purchase Agreement, Crown is required to be approved by gaming regulators in the States of Nevada and Pennsylvania in the United States in order to make an investment in Cannery Casino Resorts LLC which owns and operates casinos in those states.

 

In all jurisdictions in which Crown, or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, holds a gaming license or Crown has a significant investment in a company which holds gaming licenses, gaming regulators are empowered to investigate associates, including business associates of Crown to determine whether the associate is of good repute and of sound financial resources. If, as a result of such investigation, the relevant gaming regulator determines that, by reason of its association, Crown has ceased to be suitable to hold a gaming license or to hold a substantial investment in the holder of a gaming license then the relevant gaming regulator may direct Crown to terminate its

association or risk losing its gaming license or approval to invest in the holder of a gaming license in the relevant jurisdiction.

 

If actions by us or our subsidiaries or by Melco or Crown fail to comply with the regulatory requirements and standards of the jurisdictions in which Crown owns or operates casinos or in which companies in which Crown holds a substantial investment own or operate casinos or if there are changes in gaming laws and regulations or the interpretation or enforcement of such laws and regulations in such jurisdictions, then Crown may be required to withdraw from its joint venture with Melco or limit its involvement in one or more aspects of our gaming operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Withdrawal by Crown from its joint venture with Melco could cause the failure of conditions to drawing loans under our credit facilities or the occurrence of events that default under our credit facilities or as contemplated by our founders under their joint venture agreement.

 

Risks Relating to the ADSs

 

The trading price of our ADSs has been volatile and may continue to be volatile regardless of our operating performance.

 

The trading price of our ADSs has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. Our ADSs were first quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market beginning on December 19, 2006, and were upgraded to trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on January 2, 2009. During the period from December 19, 2006 until April 9, 2009, the trading prices of our ADSs ranged from US$2.27 to US$23.55 per ADS and the closing sale price on April 9, 2009 was US$4.82 per ADS. The market price for our ADSs may continue to be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:

 

 

In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ADSs.

 

We currently do not intend to pay dividends, and we cannot assure you that we will make dividend payments in the future.

 

We may pay dividends to shareholders in the future; however, such payments will depend upon a number of factors, including our results of operations, earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial conditions, contractual restrictions and other factors considered relevant by our board of directors. We currently intend to retain all of our earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business. Accordingly, we do not intend to declare or pay cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the near to medium term. Except as permitted under the Cayman Islands Companies Law (as amended) and the common law of the Cayman Islands, we are not permitted to distribute dividends unless we have a profit, realized or unrealized, or a reserve set aside from profits which the

directors of our company determine is no longer needed. We currently have no reserve set aside from profits for the payment of dividends. We cannot assure you that we will make any dividend payments on our ordinary shares in the future. Our ability to pay dividends, and our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to us, may be further subject to restrictive covenants contained in the City of Dreams Project Facility, and in other facility agreements governing indebtedness we and our subsidiaries may incur.

 

Substantial future sales or perceived sales of our ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.

 

Sales of our ADSs or ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline. All of the ordinary shares beneficially held by Melco and Crown are available for sale, subject to volume and other restrictions, as applicable, under Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act and subject to the terms of their shareholders’ deed. To the extent these shares are sold into the market, the market price of our ADSs could decline.

 

In addition, Melco and Crown have the right to cause us to register the sale of their shares under the Securities Act, subject to the terms of their shareholders’ deed. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming freely tradable as ADSs without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration. Sales of these registered shares in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.

 

Any decision by us to file additional registration statements to raise further equity in the market, which would result in dilution to existing shareholders, could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.

 

Holders of ADSs have fewer rights than shareholders and must act through the depositary to exercise those rights.

 

Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights of our shareholders and may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares of the depositary and in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under our amended and restated articles of association, the minimum notice period required to convene a general meeting is seven days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders’ meeting to permit you to withdraw your ordinary shares to allow you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your ADSs. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to convene a shareholder meeting.

 

You may be subject to limitations on transfers of your ADSs.

 

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

 

Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings and you may not receive cash dividends if it is unlawful or impractical to make them available to you.

 

We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the United States unless we register the rights and the securities

to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Also, under the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will not make rights available to you unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act, or exempted from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.

 

In addition, the depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is unlawful, inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute such property and you will not receive such distribution.

 

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of shareholders is more limited under Cayman Islands law than that under U.S. law, you may have less protection for your shareholder rights than you would under U.S. law.

 

Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Cayman Islands Companies Law (as amended) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as that from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. In addition, some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands.

 

As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. public company.

 

You may have difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against us.

 

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. All of our current operations, and administrative and corporate functions are conducted in Macau and Hong Kong. In addition, substantially all of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in Cayman Islands, Macau and Hong Kong courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, most of whom are not residents in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands, Macau or Hong Kong would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state. In addition, it is uncertain whether such Cayman Islands, Macau or Hong Kong courts would be competent to hear original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, Macau or Hong Kong against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state.

We may be treated as a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders.

 

Although the applicable rules are not clear, we believe that we were not in 2008, and we do not currently expect to be in 2009, a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This determination is made annually at the end of each taxable year and is dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the value of our assets and the amount and type of our income. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not become a PFIC or that the Internal Revenue Service of the United States will agree with our conclusion regarding our PFIC status for 2008 or any taxable year thereafter. If we are a PFIC in any year, U.S. Holders of the ADSs or ordinary shares could suffer certain adverse United States federal income tax consequences.

 

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, and any related prospectus supplement may contain or incorporate certain forward-looking statements that relate to future events, including our future operating results and conditions, our prospects and our future financial performance and condition, all of which are largely based on our then-current expectations and projections. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any related prospectus supplement, are forward-looking statements. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of some risk factors that may affect our business and results of operations. These risks are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus may include additional factors that could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, because we operate in a heavily regulated and evolving industry, may become more highly leveraged, and operate in Macau, a market that has historically experienced extremely rapid growth and intense competition, new risk factors may emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of these factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement.

 

In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based the forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to:

 

 

 

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any related prospectus supplement, relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any related prospectus supplement. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made, and you should not construe any incorporation by reference in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement as constituting an update or a reaffirmation of any forward-looking statements contained in such documents that are being incorporated by reference. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we entered into the following material related party transactions:

 

 

Details of those material related party transactions provided in the table above are as follows:

 

 

SJM — We earned service fee income prior to Melco Crown Gaming obtaining the gaming subconcession in September 2006 for the provision of services to certain electronic gaming lounges of SJM. Service fee income was calculated based on a pre-determined rate stipulated in the respective agreement of the gaming revenue from the gaming machines. We purchased plant and equipment from SJM during the year ended December 31, 2006. There were no outstanding balances with SJM as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

Elixir International Limited, or Elixir, — We disposed certain gaming machines to Elixir, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Melco during the year ended December 31, 2008. Property and equipment was purchased from Elixir primarily for the Crown Macau and City of Dreams projects during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Elixir provided certain services to us primarily related to the Crown Macau and City of Dreams projects including repairs and maintenance, network support and consultancy during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Elixir purchased rooms and food and beverage services from us during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the outstanding balances due from Elixir were US$622,000 and nil, respectively.

Melco’s subsidiary — Melco’s subsidiary purchased rooms services and food and beverages from us during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. The outstanding balances due from Melco’s subsidiary as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were US$28,000 and nil, respectively.

 

 

Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, S.A.R.L. , or STDM, and its subsidiaries (together with STDM referred to as STDM Group) and Shun Tak China Travel Ship Management Limited or Shun Tak — We incurred expenses associated with our use of STDM and Shun Tak ferry and hotel accommodation services within Hong Kong and Macau during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Relatives of Mr. Lawrence Ho, our Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, have beneficial interests within those companies. The traveling expenses in connection with the Crown Macau and City of Dreams projects were capitalized to construction in progress during the construction period. STDM Group provided advertising and promotional services to us during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. The outstanding balances due to STDM Group were US$215,000 and US$61,000 and Shun Tak were US$8,000 and US$43,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and were unsecured, non-interest bearing and repayable on demand.

 

Melco’s subsidiaries — Melco’s subsidiaries provided services to us primarily for the Crown Macau and City of Dreams projects and operations which included advertising and promotion, consultancy associated with marketing and public relations in Macau and China, network support, system maintenance and administration support, project management, management of general and administrative matters and repairs and maintenance during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. We incurred rental expense from our leases of office premises and equipment from Melco’s subsidiaries during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. We purchased property and equipment and operating and office supplies from Melco’s subsidiaries during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. We reimbursed Melco’s subsidiaries for service fees incurred on our behalf for rental, office administration, travel and security coverage for the operation of the office of our Chief Executive Officer during the year ended December 31, 2008. Melco’s subsidiaries fees charged for management of general administrative services, project management and consultancy, were determined based on actual cost incurred during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The project management fee and consultancy fee in connection with the Crown Macau and City of Dreams projects were capitalized to construction in progress during the construction period during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

The outstanding balances due to Melco’s subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, were US$1.5 million and US$786,000, respectively, and were unsecured, non-interest bearing and repayable on demand. Interest was paid in respect of the interest-bearing balance of US$16.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 which bore interest at 9% per annum and had been charged up to June 30, 2006 from which date onwards the amounts due ceased to be interest bearing.

 

Dr. Stanley Ho — We received funds from Dr. Stanley Ho for working capital purposes. The amount was unsecured and bore interest at 4% per annum. The funds were fully repaid in 2006. Interest was paid in respect of the balances due during the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Publishing and Broadcasting (Finance) Limited — We paid service fees to Publishing and Broadcasting (Finance) Limited, a subsidiary of PBL (Crown’s predecessor), for the year ended December 31, 2006. The service fees were paid for general administrative services provided and were based on a pre-determined fixed monthly amount. There was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

Lisboa Holdings Limited — During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we paid rental expenses and service fees for Mocha Clubs gaming premises to Lisboa Holdings Limited, a company in which a relative of Mr. Lawrence Ho has beneficial interest. There was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

Crown’s subsidiary — Crown’s subsidiary provided services to us primarily for the Crown Macau and City of Dreams projects and operations which included general consultancy, project management, and management of sale representative offices and we reimbursed Crown’s subsidiary with associated costs including traveling

during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Part of the consultancy charges was capitalized in construction in progress during construction period for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. We purchased property and equipment from Crown’s subsidiary during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. Crown’s subsidiary purchased rooms and food and beverage services from us during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the outstanding balances due to Crown’s subsidiary of US$241,000 and US$5.7 million, respectively, were unsecured, non-interest bearing and repayable on demand.

 

Shuffle Master Asia Limited, or Shuffle Master, and Stargames Corporation Pty. Limited, or Stargames — We purchased spare parts, property and equipment and incurred repairs and maintenance expense with Stargames and Shuffle Master in which our Chief Operating Officer is an independent non-executive director of its parent company, during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. There was no outstanding balance with Stargames as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. The outstanding balance due to Shuffle Master as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were US$4,000 and nil, respectively, were unsecured, non-interest bearing and repayable on demand.

 

Chang Wah Garment Manufacturing Company Limited, or Chang Wah — We purchased uniforms from Chang Wah during the year ended December 31, 2008, a company in which a relative of Mr. Lawrence Ho has beneficial interest, for Crown Macau. The outstanding balance due to Chang Wah as of December 31, 2008 was US$10,000, was unsecured, non-interest bearing and repayable on demand.

 

 

Melco and PBL (Crown’s predecessor) provided loans to us for working capital purposes which were mainly used, among other things, for the acquisition of the Crown Macau and the City of Dreams sites and for construction of Crown Macau and City of Dreams. When Crown acquired the gaming businesses and investments of PBL in December 2007, it acquired the loans provided by PBL.

 

Outstanding loan balances due to Melco totaling US$74.4 million and US$74.0 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were unsecured and interest bearing at 3-months HIBOR per annum until May 15, 2008 and subsequently at 3-months HIBOR plus 1.5% per annum. As of December 31, 2008, the loan balance due to Melco was repayable in May 2010.

 

The amounts of US$916,000 and US$705,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, due to Melco relate to interest payable to Melco on the outstanding loan balances and were repayable on demand.

 

Outstanding loan balances due to Crown totaling US$41.3 million and US$40.6 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were unsecured and interest bearing at 3-months HIBOR per annum. As of December 31, 2008, the loan balance due to Crown was repayable in May 2010.

 

The amounts of US$116,000 and US$846,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively, due to Crown relate to interest payable to Crown on the outstanding loan balances and were repayable on demand.

 

 

 

 

On June 24, 2005, Melco Crown (CM) Developments accepted a formal offer from the Macau government to acquire the Taipa Land for US$18.6 million, which was included in the amount of land use rights as of December 31, 2006. As of December 31, 2005, Melco Crown (CM) Developments had paid US$6.2 million for the Taipa Land. The remaining balance of approximately US$12.4 million was fully settled as of December 31, 2006. The expiry date of the lease of the Taipa Land is March 2031 and we amortize the land use right from the commencement date of the construction work to the expiry date.

 

 

 

In contemplation of the acquisition of Melco Crown Gaming by the group, Mocha Slot has made use of the gaming subconcession of Melco Crown Gaming before Melco Crown Gaming was contributed to us, at nil consideration, to operate the slot lounge business, in accordance with an arrangement letter signed.

 

 

 

We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we are required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders under the federal proxy rules contained in Sections 14(a), (b) and (c) of the Exchange Act, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected without charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional office of the SEC located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. The public may obtain information regarding the Washington, D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

The SEC also maintains an Internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system.

 

Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350(b) requires each issuer to make available to its shareholders an annual report containing audited financial statements of the company and its subsidiaries. We will post on our website, www.melco-crown.com, all notices of shareholders’ meetings, our annual reports, other reports and communications in English. Shareholders can also request a copy of our annual report in physical or electronic form, from our ADR depositary bank, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. The depositary will make all notices of shareholders’ meetings, our annual reports, or other reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and will upon our request mail to all holders of record of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders’ meeting it receives.

 

Our ADSs are quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MPEL.” You may inspect certain reports and other information concerning us at the offices of the Nasdaq National Market, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. Certain reports and other information about us are also available on our website, www.melco-crown.com.

 

The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

 

The following documents filed with the SEC are incorporated in this prospectus by reference:

 

(1) Our registration of American Depositary Receipts on Form F-6 (File No.: 333-139159) which we filed with the SEC on December 7, 2006;

 

(2) The section “Description of American Depositary Shares” in our prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) of the Securities Act on November 1, 2007 with respect to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146780);

 

(3) Our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 001-33178) which we filed with the SEC on March 31, 2009; and

 

(4) Our report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on April 3, 2009.

 

We also incorporate by reference in this prospectus all subsequent annual reports filed with the SEC on Form 20-F under the Exchange Act. In addition, we may incorporate by reference into this prospectus any of our reports on Form 6-K filed after the date of this prospectus (and before the time that all of the securities offered by this prospectus have been sold or de-registered) if we identify in the report that it is being incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

All reports and other documents filed or submitted by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the termination of an offering pursuant to this prospectus shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be part of this prospectus from the date of filing or submission of such reports and documents.

 

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus.

 

You may obtain copies of these documents free of charge by contacting us at our address or telephone number set forth below:

 

Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
36th Floor, The Centrium
60 Wyndham Street
Central
Hong Kong
Attn: Company Secretary
(852) 2598 3600

 

We may use the net proceeds from our sale of the ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to any future offering under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement for funding of capital expenditures, working capital, repayment of indebtedness, and/or general corporate purposes. The use of proceeds for a specific offering will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for that offering.

 

The ADSs or ordinary shares may be offered and sold by purchasers, transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest, directly or through brokers, dealers, agents or underwriters who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, commissions or similar selling expenses paid by us or by a purchaser of the ADSs or ordinary shares on whose behalf such broker-dealer may act as agent. Sales and transfers of the ADSs or ordinary shares may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, in private or public transactions, on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions or otherwise, at a fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at negotiated prices, without consideration or by any other legally available means. If sales and transfers are effected by means of an underwriting, underwriting discounts will not exceed 8% of the gross proceeds of the offering. Any or all of the ADSs or ordinary shares may be sold from time to time by means of:

 

 

To the extent required with respect to a particular offer or sale of the ADSs or ordinary shares, we will file a prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus, to disclose:

 

 

Any broker-dealers who participate in the distribution of the ADSs or ordinary shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act and any discounts, commissions or similar selling expenses they receive and any profit on the resale of the ADSs or ordinary shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.

 

The aggregate net proceeds to us from the sale of ADSs or ordinary shares will be the purchase price of such ADSs or ordinary shares less any discounts, concessions or commissions.

 

The ADSs or ordinary shares covered by this prospectus may become qualified for sale under Section 4(1) of the Securities Act or Rules 144 or 145 promulgated thereunder, whereupon they may be sold pursuant to such provisions rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands.

 

As of the date hereof, our authorized share capital consists of 1,500,000,000 ordinary shares, with a par value of US$0.01 each. On December 1, 2006, the issued 200 Class A Shares, the issued 200 Class B Shares and all unissued Class A Shares and Class B Shares were re-designated and re-classified as ordinary shares and an aggregate of 999,999,600 ordinary shares were issued to our shareholders pursuant to a capitalization issue. As of the date hereof, there are 1,330,786,304 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

 

Our Board of Directors will be convening an extraordinary general meeting in May 2009, in accordance with our current Articles of Association, for the purposes of considering and approving an increase in our authorized share capital from US$15,000,000 divided into 1,500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.01 each to US$25,000,000 divided into 2,500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.01 each, by the creation of an additional 1,000,000,000 ordinary shares and adoption of a new amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

 

Our founding shareholders have approved an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of our company. The following are summaries of material provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.

 

Ordinary Shares

 

General

 

All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Some of the ordinary shares are issued in registered form only and no share certificates were issued. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their ordinary shares.

 

Dividends

 

The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to the Companies Law.

 

Voting Rights

 

Each ordinary share is entitled to one vote on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of our board of directors or by any shareholder present in person or by proxy.

 

A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of shareholders who hold at least one-third of our ordinary shares at the meeting present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative. Shareholders’ meetings are held annually and may be convened by our board of directors on its own initiative or upon a request to the directors by shareholders holding in aggregate at least ten percent of our ordinary shares. Advance notice of at least seven days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other shareholders meetings.

 

An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the ordinary shares. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association.

Transfer of Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the restrictions of our articles of association, as applicable, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board.

 

Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless

 

 

If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal. The registration of transfers may, on 14 days’ notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers or by electronic means, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 days in any year.

 

Liquidation

 

On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary shares shall be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately.

 

Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares

 

Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid on the specified time are subject to forfeiture.

 

Redemption of Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, we may issue shares on terms that are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on such terms and in such manner as may be set out in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time.

 

Prohibitions on the Receipt of Dividends, the Exercise of Voting or Other Rights or the Receipt of Other Remuneration

 

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prohibit anyone who is an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person from:

 

 

These prohibitions commence on the date that a gaming authority serves notice of a determination of unsuitability or the board of directors determines that a person or its affiliate is unsuitable and continue until the securities are owned or controlled by persons found suitable by a gaming authority and/or the board of directors to own them. An “unsuitable person” is any person who is determined by a gaming authority to be unsuitable to own or control any of our shares or who causes us or any affiliated company to lose or to be threatened with the loss of any gaming license, or who, in the sole discretion of our board of directors, is deemed likely to jeopardize our or any of our affiliates’ application for, receipt of approval for right to the use of, or entitlement to, any gaming license.

 

“Gaming authorities” include all international, foreign, federal, state, local and other regulatory and licensing bodies and agencies with authority over gaming (the conduct of gaming and gambling activities, or the use of gaming devices, equipment and supplies in the operation of a casino or other enterprise). “Affiliated companies” are those companies indirectly affiliated or under common ownership or control with us, including without limitation, subsidiaries, holding companies and intermediary companies (as those terms are defined in gaming laws of applicable gaming jurisdictions) that are registered or licensed under applicable gaming laws. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association define “ownership” or “control” to mean ownership of record, beneficial ownership as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the power to direct and manage, by agreement, contract, agency or other manner, the management or policies of a person or the disposition of our capital stock.

 

Redemption of Securities Owned or Controlled by an Unsuitable Person or an Affiliate

 

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that shares owned or controlled by an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person are redeemable by us, out of funds legally available for that redemption, by appropriate action of the board of directors to the extent required by the gaming authorities making the determination of unsuitability or to the extent deemed necessary or advisable. From and after the redemption date, the securities will not be considered outstanding and all rights of the unsuitable person or affiliate will cease, other than the right to receive the redemption price. The redemption price will be the price, if any, required to be paid by the gaming authority making the finding of unsuitability or, if the gaming authority does not require a price to be paid, the sum deemed to be the fair value of the securities by the board of directors. If determined by us, the price for the shares will not exceed the closing price per share of the shares on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares are then listed on the trading date on the day before the redemption notice is given. If the shares are not then listed, the redemption price will not exceed the closing sales price of the shares as quoted on an automated quotation system, or if the closing price is not then reported, the mean between the bid and asked prices, as quoted by any other generally recognized reporting system. Our right of redemption is not exclusive of any other rights that we may have or later acquire under any agreement, its bylaws or otherwise. The redemption price may be paid in cash, by promissory note, or both, as required by the applicable gaming authority and, if not, as we elect.

 

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require any unsuitable person and any affiliate of an unsuitable person to indemnify us and our affiliated companies for any and all costs, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by us and our affiliated companies as a result of the unsuitable person’s or affiliates ownership or control or failure to promptly divest itself of any shares, securities of or interests in us.

 

Variations of Rights of Shares

 

All or any of the special rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, be varied or abrogated either with the unanimous written consent of the holders of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

 

Inspection of Books and Records

 

Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information”.

Changes in Capital

 

We may from time to time by ordinary resolution:

 

 

We may by special resolution reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorized by law.

 

Differences in Corporate Law

 

The Companies Law is modeled after that of English law but does not follow many recent English law statutory enactments. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.

 

Mergers and Similar Arrangements

 

Cayman Islands law does not provide for mergers as that expression is understood under United States corporate law. However, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and, subsequently, the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

 

When a take-over offer is made and accepted by holders of 90.0% of the shares (within four months), the offerer may, within a two month period after the expiration of the said four months, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

 

If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

Shareholders’ Suits

 

We are not aware of any reported class action or derivative action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, there are exceptions to the foregoing principle, including when:

 

 

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability

 

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association permit indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty, fraud or default of such directors or officers. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law to a Delaware corporation. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and senior executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable as a matter of United States law.

The following table summarizes significant differences in shareholder rights between the provisions of the Companies Law of Cayman Islands applicable to our company and the Delaware General Corporation Law applicable to most companies incorporated in Delaware and their shareholders. Please note that this is only a general summary of provisions applicable to companies in Delaware. Certain Delaware companies may be permitted to exclude certain of the provisions summarized below in their charter documents.

 

 

History of Securities Issuances

 

The following is a summary of our securities issuances since our inception.

 

In December 2004, we issued one Class A share to Melco. In January 2005, Melco transferred its Class A share and we issued 99 additional shares in March 2005, to Melco Leisure and Entertainment Group, a wholly- owned subsidiary of Melco. In March 2005, we issued 100 Class B shares, all of which are outstanding, to PBL Asia Investments Ltd, or PBL Asia, a company which is now wholly-owned by Crown. In September 2006, we issued an additional 100 Class A shares and 100 Class B shares to Melco Leisure and Entertainment Group and PBL Asia, respectively.

 

On December 1, 2006, the issued 200 Class A Shares, the issued 200 Class B Shares and all unissued Class A Shares and Class B Shares were re-designated and re-classified as ordinary shares and an aggregate of 999,999,600 ordinary shares were issued to our shareholders for no additional consideration.

 

On December 18, 2006, we issued 60,250,000 ADSs in our initial public offering, and in January 2007, the underwriters for our initial public offering exercised their over-allotment option to purchase 9,037,500 additional ADSs.

 

On November 6, 2007, we issued 37,500,000 ADSs in our follow-on offering.

 

For a description of our American Depositary Shares, see “Description of American Depositary Shares” in our final prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) of the Securities Act on November 1, 2007 with respect to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146780). See “Incorporation by Reference”.

 

The following summary of the material Cayman Islands and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S., state, local and other tax laws. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it represents the opinion of Walkers, our Cayman Islands counsel.

 

Cayman Islands Taxation

 

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within, the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

 

United States Federal Income Taxation

 

The following discussion describes the material United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs to U.S. Holders (defined below) that purchase the ADSs in cash pursuant to an offering. This summary applies only to investors that hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States as in effect on the date hereof and on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, on the date hereof, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below. The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement are true and that the obligations in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be complied with in accordance with their terms.

 

The following discussion does not deal with the tax consequences to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:

 

 

This discussion does not address any U.S. state or local or non-U.S. tax consequences or any U.S. federal estate, gift or alternative minimum tax consequences.

U.S. HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS U.S. STATE AND LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE ADSs OR ORDINARY SHARES.

 

The discussion below of U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply if you are a beneficial owner of the ADSs or ordinary shares and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,

 

 

If an entity taxable as a partnership holds the ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of such entity and each partner thereof generally will depend on the status and activities of the entity and the partner.

 

Tax Treatment of ADSs

 

If you hold the ADSs, you generally should be treated as the holder of the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of any distribution to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be included in your gross income as ordinary dividend income on the date of receipt by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by you, in the case of ordinary shares, to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it generally will be treated first as a tax-free return, on a share-by-share basis, of your tax basis in your ADSs or ordinary shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis in an ADS or ordinary share, the excess generally will be treated as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, you should expect that any distribution from us generally will be treated as a dividend. Any dividend from us will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from U.S. corporations.

 

With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, dividends may constitute “qualified dividend income” that is taxed at the lower applicable capital gains rate provided that (1) the ADSs or ordinary shares, as applicable, are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, (2) we are not a passive foreign investment company (as discussed below) for either our taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. For this purpose, ADSs listed on the Nasdaq will be considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares and certain special rules that apply to such dividends (including rules relating to foreign tax credit limitations).

 

Dividends from us generally will constitute non-U.S. source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us generally will be treated as “passive category income” or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, as “general category income.”

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you generally will recognize gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other disposition of an ADS or ordinary share equal to the difference between the amount realized for such ADS or ordinary share and your tax basis in such ADS or ordinary share. Such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held such ADS or ordinary share for more than one year, you generally will be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Any such loss, however, could be resourced to the extent of dividends treated as received with respect to such ADS or ordinary share within the preceding 24-month period.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company

 

Although the applicable rules are not clear, we believe that we were not in 2008, and we do not currently expect to be in 2009, a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This determination is made annually at the end of each taxable year and is dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the value of our assets and the amount and type of our income. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not become a PFIC or that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with our conclusion regarding our PFIC status for 2008 or any taxable year thereafter. If we are a PFIC in any year, U.S. Holders of the ADSs or ordinary shares could suffer adverse consequences as discussed below.

 

In general, a corporation organized outside the United States will be treated as a PFIC in any taxable year in which either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income” or (2) on average at least 50% of the value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities transactions and from the sale or exchange of property that gives rise to passive income. In determining whether a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, a proportionate share of the income and assets of each corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, at least a 25% interest (by value) is taken into account.

 

If we are a PFIC in any year during which you own the ADSs or ordinary shares, you could be liable for additional taxes and interest charges upon certain distributions by us or upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares at a gain, whether or not we continue to be a PFIC. The tax will be determined by allocating such distributions or gain ratably to each day of your holding period. The amount allocated to the current taxable year and any portion of your holding period prior to the first taxable year for which we are a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income (rather than capital gain) earned in the current taxable year. The amount allocated to other taxable years will be taxed at the highest marginal rates applicable to ordinary income for each such taxable year, and an interest charge will also be imposed on the amount of taxes for each such taxable year. In addition, if we are a PFIC, a person who acquires the ADSs or ordinary shares from you upon your death generally will be denied the step-up of the tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes to fair market value at the date of your death, which would otherwise generally be available with respect to a decedent dying in any year other than 2010. Instead, such person will have a tax basis equal to the lower of such fair market value or your tax basis.

 

The tax consequences that would apply if we were a PFIC would be different from those described above if a “mark-to-market” election is available and you validly make such an election as of the beginning of your holding period of the ADSs or ordinary shares. If such election is validly made, (1) you generally will be required to take into account the difference, if any, between the fair market value of, and your tax basis in, the ADSs or ordinary shares at the end of each taxable year as ordinary income or, to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains previously included in income, ordinary loss, and to make corresponding adjustments to your tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares and (2) any gain from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income, and any loss will be treated first as ordinary loss (to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains previously included in income) and thereafter as capital loss. A mark-to-market election is available only if the ADSs or ordinary shares, as the case may be, are considered “marketable stock”. Generally, stock will be considered marketable stock if it is “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange” within the meaning of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. A class of stock is regularly traded during any calendar year during which such class of stock is traded,

other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. The Nasdaq constitutes a qualified exchange, and a non-U.S. securities exchange constitutes a qualified exchange if it is regulated or supervised by a governmental authority of the country in which the securities exchange is located and meets certain trading, listing, financial disclosure and other requirements set forth in U.S. Treasury regulations. Since the ordinary shares are not themselves listed on any securities exchange, the mark-to-market election may not be available for the ordinary shares even if the ADSs are regularly traded on the Nasdaq.

 

The tax consequences that would apply if we were a PFIC would also be different from those described above if a valid qualified electing fund, or QEF, election in respect of us has been in effect during your entire holding period of such ADSs or ordinary shares. A QEF election with respect to us would be available only if we agree to provide you with certain information. As we do not intend to provide you with the required information, you should assume that a QEF election is unavailable.

 

If you hold the ADSs or ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you may be required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621.

 

You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to your investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Distributions on the ADSs or ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding. Backup withholding generally will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such certification on Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.

 

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands to take advantage of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands exempted company, such as:

 

 

However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include:

 

 

Our constituent documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.

 

Substantially all of our current operations, including our administrative and corporate operations, are conducted in Macau and Hong Kong, and substantially all of our assets are located in Macau. A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon us or such persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

We have appointed CT Corporation System as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any state in the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New York.

 

Walkers, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Manuela António Law Office, our counsel as to Macau law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and Macau, respectively, would:

 

 

Walkers has further advised us that a judgment obtained in a foreign court will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands without any re-examination of the merits (a) at common law, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, where the judgment is final and in respect of which the foreign court had jurisdiction over the defendant according to Cayman Islands conflict of law rules and which is conclusive, for a liquidated sum not in respect of penalties or taxes or a fine or similar fiscal or revenue obligations, and which was neither obtained in a manner, nor is of a kind enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands and execution as if it were a judgment of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, where the judgment is a judgment of a superior court of any state of the Commonwealth of Australia which is final and conclusive for a sum of money not in respect of taxes or other

charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine, penalty or revenue obligation and which remains enforceable by execution in that jurisdiction or (b) by statute, by registration in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.

 

Manuela António Law Office has advised further that a final and conclusive monetary judgment for a definite sum obtained in a federal or state court in the United States would be treated by the courts of Macau as a cause of action in itself so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary, provided that: (1) such court had jurisdiction in the matter and the defendant either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process; (2) due process was observed by such court, with equal treatment given to both parties to the action, and the defendant had the opportunity to submit a defense; (3) the judgment given by such court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or tax revenue obligations; (4) in obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favor judgment was given or on the part of the court; (5) recognition or enforcement of the judgment in Macau would not be contrary to public policy; (6) the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice; and (7) any interest charged to the defendant does not exceed three times the official interest rate, which is currently 9.75% per annum, over the outstanding payment (whether of principal, interest fees or other amounts) due.

 

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statements included in Schedule 1, incorporated in this registration statement by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement included in Schedule 1 have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The offices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu are located at 35th Floor, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong.

 

There have been no material changes in our affairs that have occurred since the end of the latest fiscal year for which certified financial statements are included in this prospectus and that have not been described in a report filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference.

 

We are being represented by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP with respect to legal matters of United States federal securities and New York State law. The validity of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered pursuant to this prospectus and legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Walkers. Legal matters as to Macau law will be passed upon for us by Manuela António Law Office.

 

 

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association permit indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty, fraud or default of such directors or officers. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law to a Delaware corporation. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and senior executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable as a matter of United States law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or any decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act need not be furnished, provided, that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Rule 3-19 of Regulation S-K if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Form F-3.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

(i) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into

the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

 

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(i) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in Hong Kong, on April 13, 2009.

 

MELCO CROWN ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED

 

Name:     Lawrence (Yau Lung) Ho

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below does hereby constitutes and appoints Lawrence (Yau Lung) Ho, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with the full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and deliver with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (i) any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to this registration statement on Form F-3, (ii) any registration statement relating to this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (iii) any exhibits to any such registration statement, amendments, supplements or (iv) any and all applications and other documents in connection with any such registration statement amendments, or supplements, and generally to do all things and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary or desirable to enable Melco Crown Entertainment Limited to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated:

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

13 April 2009		Our Ref: DW/LY/M4237-H02577

Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
36/F The Centrium
60 Wyndham Street
Central
Hong Kong

Dear Sirs

MELCO CROWN ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED

We have acted as Cayman Islands legal advisers to Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (the “Company”) in connection with the Company’s registration statement on Form F-3 (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 on 13 April 2009 relating to the offering of American Depositary Shares by the Company (the “Offering”). We are furnishing this opinion as exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined copies or originals of the following documents:

1.		the Certificate of Incorporation dated 17 December 2004, the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name dated 9 August 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association as registered on 17 December 2004, the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association as registered on 26 January 2005, the Amended and Restated Articles of Association as conditionally adopted by special resolution on 1 December 2006 and becoming effective on 18 December 2006, the minute book, the Register of Members, the Register of Directors and the Register of Mortgages and Charges of the Company, copies of which have been provided to us by its registered office in the Cayman Islands on 8 April 2009 (together, the “Corporate Records”);
2.		a Certificate of Good Standing dated 6 April 2009 issued by the Registrar of Companies;
3.		a copy of executed written resolutions of the directors of the Company dated 8 April 2009 (the “Resolutions”); and
4.		a draft Registration Statement provided to us on 7 April 2009.

We are Attorneys-at-Law in the Cayman Islands and express no opinion as to any laws other than the laws of the Cayman Islands in force and as interpreted at the date of this opinion.

WALKERS		Page 2

13 April 2009

Based on the foregoing and subject to the assumptions below, we are of the opinion that under, and subject to, the laws of the Cayman Islands:

1.		The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability and is validly existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
2.		The authorised share capital of the Company is US$15,000,000 divided into 1,500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value US$0.01 each (each a “Share”).
3.		In relation to the Shares:

	(a)		1,330,786,304 Shares have been duly authorised and were validly allotted and issued.
	(b)		Assuming the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Registration Statement have been fully paid as contemplated in the Registration Statement and when appropriate entries have been made in the register of members of the Company, there is no further obligation on the holder of any of the Shares to make any further payment to the Company in respect of such shares.
	(c)		The Shares carry such rights as are attributed to them in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in, and the filing hereof, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the headings “Taxation”, “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities”, “Legal Matters” and elsewhere in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.

We have assumed that:

1.		the originals of all documents examined in connection with this opinion are authentic, all signatures, initials and seals are genuine, all such documents purporting to be sealed have been so sealed and all copies are complete and conform to their originals.
2.		there is no contractual or other provision (other than as may arise by virtue of the laws of the Cayman Islands) binding on the Company or on any other party prohibiting it from enter into and performing its obligations as contemplated in the Offering.
3.		The Memorandum and Articles of Association reviewed by us are the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company in force at the date hereof.
4.		the copies of the Corporate Records provided to us by its registered office are true and correct copies of the originals of the same and are complete and accurate and constitute a complete and accurate record of the business transacted and the resolutions adopted by the Company and all matters required

WALKERS		Page 3

13 April 2009

		by law and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company to be recorded therein are so recorded.
5.		The Resolutions are a true and correct copy of the originals of the same, have been duly executed (and where by a corporate entity such execution has been duly authorised if so required) by or on behalf of each Director and the signatures and initials thereon are those of a person or persons in whose name the Resolutions have been expressed to be signed.
6.		The Resolutions remain in full force and effect and have not been revoked or varied.

To maintain the Company in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, annual filing fees must be paid and returns made to the Registrar of Companies.

This opinion is limited to the matters referred to herein and shall not be construed as extending to any other matter or document not referred to herein.

This opinion shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.

Yours faithfully

/s/ Walkers

WALKERS

Exhibit 8.1

April 13, 2009

Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
36th Floor
The Centrium
60 Wyndham Street
Central
Hong Kong

Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
US$400 million American Depositary Shares

     Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Melco Crown Entertainment Limited, a Cayman Islands corporation (“the Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), by the Company of (i) a Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed with the Commission on the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”) and (ii) a prospectus, dated April 13, 2009 (the “Prospectus”), relating to the proposed sale from time to time by the Company up to US$400 million of its American Depositary Shares as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) of the Act.

     In rendering this opinion, (i) we have examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the depositary agreement, dated as of December 22, 2006, by and among, other parties, the Company (formerly, Melco PBL Entertainment (Macau) Limited) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (all of the foregoing, the “Transaction Documents”) and such other agreements, instruments, documents and records of the Company as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion and (ii) we have assumed, without independent investigation or inquiry, and relied upon (a) the authenticity of, and the genuineness of all signatures on, all documents, the conformity to original or certified documents of all copies submitted to us as conformed or reproduction copies, the legal capacity of all natural persons executing documents; (b) the due authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of the Transaction Documents; (c) the performance of all covenants and other undertakings by all parties to, and the consummation of all transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents in accordance with their terms, that none of the material terms and conditions of the Transaction Documents have been or will be waived or modified, the valid existence and good standing of all parties to the Transaction Documents and that there are no documents or understandings between the parties that would alter, or are inconsistent with, the terms set forth in the Transaction Documents; and (d) the accuracy of all statements regarding factual matters, representations and warranties contained in the Transaction Documents and the statements made in the certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and others delivered to us.

     Based on the foregoing, and subject to the limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, the statements of law and legal conclusions under the heading “Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation” in the Prospectus represent our opinion.

     Our opinion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury regulations (including proposed Treasury regulations) issued thereunder, Internal Revenue Service rulings and pronouncements and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Our opinion is limited to the matters expressly stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond such matters. Our opinion is rendered only as of the date hereof, and we assume no responsibility to advise you or any other person of facts, circumstances, changes in law, or other events or developments that hereafter may occur or be brought to our attention and that may affect the conclusion(s) expressed in our opinion.

     We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not thereby concede that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of our reports dated March 31, 2009, relating to the consolidated financial statements and related financial statements included in Schedule 1 of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (the “Company”), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2008, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte Toche Tohmatsu
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Hong Kong

April 13, 2009

Exhibit 23.4

April 13, 2009

Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
36^th Floor,
The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street
Central, Hong Kong

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We hereby consent to the use of our name under the caption “Enforcement of Civil Liabilities” and “Legal Matters” in the prospectus included in the registration statement on Form F-3, originally filed by Melco Crown Entertainment Limited on April 13, 2009, with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Sincerely yours,

/s/ Manuela António

Manuela António
Manuela António Law Office