The casino was not as chaotic as Meng Meiyun had expected. The first month of operation went smoothly, with an increasing number of patrons. The over thirty VIP rooms were almost always fully occupied.
"Xiao Yang, this is this month's financial report. Take a look. If there are no issues, finance will transfer the dividends to your respective accounts today."
In the second-floor office of the entertainment city, Bai Zheng handed a spreadsheet to Yang Jian. The casino had been operating for a month, and it was time to pay staff salaries and distribute dividends to shareholders.
While legitimate companies typically distribute dividends at the end of the year, casinos, due to their high risk, cannot operate like regular businesses. Small casinos usually distribute dividends daily.
Casinos of this scale, however, distribute dividends monthly. This practice helps prevent all funds from being frozen if the police were to investigate.
Yang Jian briefly reviewed the financial report. The gross revenue for the first month alone reached over twenty million. After deducting expenses such as utilities, equipment, beverages, catering, and staff salaries, the net profit was ten million, which would be distributed as dividends.
With his ten percent stake, Yang Jian was set to receive one million this month. The speed of profit generation was terrifying. Based on the current trend, next month's earnings were expected to double.
Handing the report back to Bai Zheng, Yang Jian took a sip of tea and said, "Brother Zheng, you've made a huge initial investment. Let's not take dividends for now. Let's focus on recouping your capital first."
Bai Zheng shook his head. "Xiao Yang, I'm very pleased that you think this way. My initial investment was indeed substantial, but the rules cannot be broken. Your shares were exchanged from Yang Fan, which means you also invested money, so you are entitled to recoup your investment. As for the other shareholders, although they didn't invest capital, their roles are irreplaceable. Without them, this casino wouldn't be able to operate. Therefore, as long as the casino is operational, their dividends must not be reduced."
"Alright, Brother Zheng, you call the shots. However, with the increasing number of patrons, and with those Hong Kong businessmen bringing in bosses and executives from the mainland, the VIP rooms are becoming insufficient. Should we consider opening up the main hall?"
"Yes, I brought you here to discuss this very matter. The financial report actually includes an expense for upgrading the main hall's equipment. I've already arranged for engineers to conduct a comprehensive inspection and upgrade of the electronic equipment in the main hall. It should be ready for operation in about half a month."
"Does that mean we will start accepting mainland gamblers?"
"Yes. The popularity of the casino has exceeded my expectations. I didn't originally plan to accept mainland gamblers, but given the current situation, it's impossible to prevent them from entering. I've already discussed this with the other shareholders, and they agree to open the casino to mainland gamblers. However, your security pressure will be considerable, so you need to be mentally prepared."
Yang Jian frowned. "Brother Zheng, if we open the casino to mainland gamblers, we should set certain entry thresholds, shouldn't we? Not just anyone should be allowed in, otherwise, the casino will still be insufficient."
"You're absolutely right. I'm also considering this. The more people, the more complicated it becomes, and the greater the security risks. You have experience in running casinos; do you have any good suggestions for us to consider?"
"When we operate in the mainland, we divide them into 'red money' tables and 'black money' tables. 'Red money' tables are for bets starting at one hundred yuan, while 'black money' tables are for bets starting at ten or twenty yuan. The 'red money' tables are further divided into regular tables with a minimum bet of one hundred yuan, and inner tables with minimum bets of five hundred, one thousand, or even ten thousand yuan. This effectively categorizes gamblers into different tiers. Regular 'red money' tables can also have very high stakes. The establishment I opened in Hancheng has a minimum bet of one hundred yuan, with daily turnover exceeding ten million. However, the inner tables are for a select few, typically wealthy individuals, where wins and losses can amount to hundreds of thousands or millions. I believe that if we accept mainland gamblers, we should set the minimum bet at one thousand or five thousand yuan. This will deter the vast majority of gamblers, and only those with sufficient means will dare to enter."
Bai Zheng nodded. "Setting a betting threshold is indeed a viable solution. Let's start with a threshold of one thousand yuan and see how it goes. If there are still too many people and the casino is insufficient, we can raise the betting threshold."
"Yes, I believe our casino will definitely attract a large number of mainland gamblers. A one-thousand-yuan threshold might not be enough."
Bai Zheng smiled. "Why are you so confident?"
"According to Ah Feng's information, mainlanders going to Hong Kong or casinos to gamble not only need to obtain permits but also have time restrictions, requiring them to return within seven days, with all travel recorded. This is inconvenient for individuals with sensitive identities. Our casino, however, eliminates many of these hassles. A single flight from anywhere in the country can bring them here, making it convenient and fast. Sensitive individuals will not be tracked, naturally attracting a large number of wealthy people to gamble."
"Xiao Yang, you truly have experience. Your analysis is sound. Then, our casino will only cater to high-end clients, with a starting bet of five thousand yuan. At the same time, we should also raise the betting threshold in the VIP area to prevent any riff-raff from coming in and enjoying the freebies."
Bai Zheng said this because the casino provided free beverages, buffet meals, accommodation, and special services, which incurred very high expenses. The special services were managed by Meng Meiyun, who led a team of over a hundred people. Not only did she have to pay her team members a basic salary and cover their food and accommodation, but the casino also subsidized three hundred yuan for each outing. The tips received from guests were their personal earnings. It was precisely these complimentary services that attracted a large number of patrons to gamble and spend. If mainland gamblers were to be accepted, the entry threshold would have to be raised.
"Brother Zheng, there's another issue to address when accepting mainland gamblers."
"What issue?"
"It's the currency issue. Mainland gamblers can't play with Hong Kong dollars, can they?"
Bai Zheng nodded. "I've thought about this for a long time. I plan to use both currencies simultaneously. The upgrade of the electronic equipment this time is to address the settlement system issue."
"That's good. Brother Zheng, finally, there's my security issue. If we open the main hall, the ten people I have will definitely not be enough. Should we add more staff?"
Increasing the number of staff meant increasing expenses. This decision had to be made by Bai Zheng; Yang Jian could not overstep his authority.
"Then we'll add ten security personnel. Let Ah Bao transfer them from downstairs. They are all trusted brothers, and there won't be any accidents."
"Okay, ten will be enough. Brother Zheng, if there's nothing else, I'll head up."
With all the necessary matters discussed and settled, Yang Jian stood up, preparing to leave.
Bai Zheng suddenly asked, "Xiao Yang, you've been on the run, your girlfriend must have broken up with you, right?"
Yang Jian was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "Brother Zheng, are you trying to introduce me to a girlfriend?"
"It's your sister-in-law who wants to match you with Meiyun. She says you're a perfect match, talented and beautiful, and old classmates from the same hometown, knowing each other well. She's been urging me to ask for your opinion for days, and I just remembered it now."
Although Bai Zheng's eyes held a smile, Yang Jian felt a hint of coldness.