Leasehold Interests in Land, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Leasehold Interests In Land, Net [Abstract]

Leasehold interests in land consist of the following:



	December 31,
	2019			2018
	(In millions)
Marina Bay Sands	$	1,986		$	1,006
Sands Cotai Central	293			237
The Venetian Macao	242			192
The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao	106			91
The Parisian Macao	89			75
Sands Macao	38			31
	2,754			1,632
Less — accumulated amortization	(482		)	(434		)
	$	2,272		$	1,198

The Company amortizes the leasehold interests in land on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease, which includes automatic extensions in Macao as discussed further below. Amortization expense of $51 million, $35 million and $37 million was included in amortization of leasehold interests in land expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The estimated future amortization expense over the expected term of the lease is approximately $52 million for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2024 and $2.21 billion thereafter at exchange rates in effect on December 31, 2019.

Land concessions in Macao generally have an initial term of 25 years with automatic extensions of 10 years thereafter in accordance with Macao law. The Company anticipates a useful life of 50 years related to the land concessions in Macao. The Company has received land concessions from the Macao government to build on the sites on which Sands Macao, The Venetian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Sands Cotai Central and The Parisian Macao are located. The Company does not own these land sites in Macao; however, the land concessions grant the Company exclusive use of the land. As specified in the land concessions, the Company is required to pay premiums for each parcel, as well as make annual rent payments in the amounts and at the times specified in the land concessions. The rent amounts may be revised every five years by the Macao government. For the Company's future rental payment obligations, see "Note 14 — Leases."

Land concessions in Singapore have an initial term of 60 years. The Company has received land concessions from the Singapore Tourism Board to build on the sites on which Marina Bay Sands and the future MBS Expansion Project are located. The Company does not own these land sites in Singapore; however, the land concessions grant the Company exclusive use of the land. As specified in the land concessions, the Company was required to pre-pay the premiums for each parcel.

In April 2019, and in connection with the Second Development Agreement, MBS paid $963 million for the additional land concessions in connection with the MBS Expansion Project.