Las Vegas Sands forecasts 2009 EBITDA at $803 mln

HONG KONG, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVS.N), the world's most valuable casino operator, expects to achieve core profit of $803 million in 2009 for its Macau business, from $696 million in 2008, an executive said on Sunday.

The firm hopes to grow its market share "upwards of 30 percent" in Macau after the firm completes sites five and six on the Cotai strip, from 22-24 percent now, Steven Jacobs, chief executive officer of Sands China, said at a press conference.

Sands is set to raise up to $3.35 billion through an initial public offering of shares in its Macau business, according to sources with direct knowledge of the IPO.

The company is selling 1.87 billion shares at a price ranging from HK$10.38 to HK$13.88 per share, the sources said. [ID:nHKG221837].

The debt-laden firm, which has come close to violating its loan covenants, needs the money to complete its two suspended projects in Macau and pay off some of its high debt load. (Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee, Editing by Alex Richardson)