INTERNATIONAL casino owner Las Vegas Sands Corp is cutting more than 200 workers from its Venetian and Palazzo casino-hotels on the Las Vegas Strip as part of an effort to save US$100 million annually companywide.

Sands spokesman Ron Reese said the layoffs amount to about 2 percent of the two casinos' 10,000-strong workforce.

Reese said the company, which laid off 50 workers three weeks ago, has not ruled out more cuts later. He would not say how much the cuts would save.

When the company suspended construction on casino projects around the world in November, about 11,000 workers lost their jobs, most in Macau.

The new cuts affect only Las Vegas properties.

Sands shares have plummeted from a 52-week high of US$120.24 to close on Thursday at US$5.81.