A Genting casino and entertainment complex in Singapore would complement, not compete with, the company's flagship casino resort in Malaysia, Genting International said on Tuesday.

The company, bidding for Singapore's second casino licence on Sentosa island, said its Malaysian Genting Highlands development offers a different experience and targets another market segment than that proposed for Singapore.

"Genting as you know is up in the highlands," Lim Kok Thay, the chairman and chief executive of Malaysia's Genting Group, said just days before the winning bidder is expected to be announced.

"It's greatest advantage is the cool weather and between gaming and cool weather, that's what draws visitors to Genting" he said at a press briefing.

The liberalisation of Macau's gaming sector has shown there is room for more outlets, he said, noting "the pie is growing" yet the numbers in Genting have not been adversely affected.

In fact, Genting Highlands is having a record year, he said.

Genting and its sister company Star Cruises, both part of Malaysian casino operator Genting Group, have tied-up with Universal Parks and Resorts of the United States to bid for the Sentosa project.

Analysts see the Malaysian outfit as favorite to win the Sentosa licence from two rival bidders.

Bahamas-based Kerzner International, which has teamed up with Singapore property developer CapitaLand, is one of the two rival competitors.

The other is the privately-held Las Vegas firm Eighth Wonder, which is undertaking its bid with Australia's Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd and Hong Kong's Melco International Development Ltd, and Isle of Capri Casinos Inc.

Final meeting

Genting had its final meeting on Tuesday with the Singapore government panel tasked with evaluating the three bidders' proposals.

Lim said his team reiterated they had the "best scheme" and also the track record to raise Singapore's tourist appeal.

"The meeting went very well," said Lim.

Genting and its partners say they are prepared to invest US$3.38 billion into their proposed "Resorts World at Sentosa" if they win the bid.

It is also committed to reinvesting more than US$200 million annually to keep the Sentosa resort's concept fresh, Lim said.

Singapore awarded its first casino licence in May to Las Vegas Sands, which also has operations in Macau.

Sands says it will invest more than US$5 billion in the project to open in 2009.

The city-state last year lifted a ban on casino gambling and announced plans for two casino complexes featuring gaming and other attractions in a bid to boost its tourist appeal.