(Reuters) -Casino operator Las Vegas Sands beat analysts' expectations for second-quarter profit and revenue on Wednesday, driven by strength in its Singapore and Macao businesses, sending its shares up 4.

Las Vegas Sands began work on an $8 billion expansion of its flagship Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore, the latest big-ticket move by the Adelson family.

An $8 billion ultra-luxury Las Vegas Sands property in Singapore has executives saying the soon-to-be constructed resort will "redefine industry standards" and expand the regional footprint of the small island nation.