Galaxy World Macau, Designed by The Goddard Group, Nabs Major Award at International Gaming Awards

	Galaxy World Macau resort won the 2012 World's Best Casino / Integrated Resort of the Year Award.

Hong Kong-based Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited's Galaxy World Macau resort was the winner of the 2012 World's Best Casino / Integrated Resort of the Year Award, presented during the International Gaming Awards ceremonies in London this week. Gary Goddard and his company, Hollywood, California-based The Goddard Group, currently celebrating its tenth year, provided the concept, master planning, schematic design, and show design of the $1.9 billion resort, which opened to the public in Macau, China, last May.

This is the first year in which the International Gaming Awards has presented a gaming "Oscar" in the category of World's Best Casino / Integrated Resort of the Year, and the shortlist was comprised of high-profile integrated resort properties from around the world. The International Gaming Award is the fourth major award that the Galaxy Macau has won since its opening.

"I am incredibly proud of our role as the designer charged with creating the concept, master plan, and schematic design for this incredible destination," Goddard said. "In just a few short months, the Galaxy World Macau venue has become a world-class mega resort visited by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, and now has also become the winner of several major industry awards. We ensured The Galaxy was not a copy of something from Las Vegas or elsewhere, but an original 'must-see' experience that stands alone and apart."

Adds Goddard, "Working closely with Dr. Che-woo Lui (chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group) and Francis Lui (CEO of Galaxy Entertainment Group), our goal for the Galaxy World Macau was to create an Asian-inspired fantasy world of exotic beauty and timeless wonders. It was to be appealing, first and foremost, to the Asian guests who come to Macau from all areas of Southeast Asia. Secondly, for the western tourists who come to Macau, we wanted a very special resort casino that could only be seen in Macau and that speaks to an Asian experience. I think we have achieved our goal with this spectacular and elegant design -- a true tropical paradise built upon a mythical world steeped in Asian spirit."

Dr. Che-woo Lui, said, "We are delighted to receive such encouraging global recognition for our achievements and success in delivering our vision. GEG's objective has always been to build a unique identity, and develop our casinos and resorts to a world class standard. These awards not only recognize this vision, but are also a great endorsement of our management team's endeavor and the passion of our devoted staff to succeed. We are proud to have created a globally recognized standard, and we have defined a new category in the industry, especially in the Asia Pacific region. We are also delighted that GEG is helping Macau diversify into an international tourism and leisure destination."

You can read about two of the resort's attractions in the November 2011 edition of Lighting&Sound America.