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SINGAPORE : Singapore said it will announce later on Friday the winning bid of the city-state's first integrated resort (IR) licence, almost two months after receiving the formal proposals from four major gaming operators.

The successful bidder for the Marina Bay resort, estimated to cost three billion US dollars to develop, will be unveiled at a media briefing at 5:00pm (0900 GMT), the Singapore Tourism Board said in a statement.

Malaysia's Genting International, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Mirage and Harrah's
Entertainment are the four bidders who submitted their bids for the Marina Bay project near the financial district in March.

Both MGM and Harrah's have roped in local property developers, CapitaLand and Keppel Land respectively, for their bids.

Analysts said MGM's partnership with CapitaLand, the largest developer in Southeast Asia, makes it a slight favourite but admit it is anybody's game in the closely-fought race to win Singapore's first gaming licence.

Singapore has announced plans for two integrated resorts in the city-state.

The winner of the second IR project to be developed on the resort island of Sentosa will be announced by the end of the year.

Both resorts are due to open in 2009. - AFP/ch