Deep in the heart of the Venetian casino in Las Vegas, past the whirring slot machines, the canals and singing gondoliers, Sheldon Adelson is plotting the next phase of his company’s expansion.

Poring over plans for Marina Bay Sands, his new $5.5bn casino hotel project in Singapore, the 76-year-old billionaire is in a combative mood, heaping scorn on the “doubting Thomases” who wrote off Las Vegas Sands during the financial crisis.