MADRID-Las Vegas Sands Corporation has dropped its plans to build a multibillion-dollar "EuroVegas" resort in Spain, and in a statement the company said it will focus global development efforts in Asia.

"We have reiterated time and again that our internal development process would dictate the outcome of a proposed development in Spain,” said Las Vegas Sands chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson in a press release. “That process has been extremely thorough and while the government and many others have worked diligently on this effort, we do not see a path in which the criteria needed to move forward with this large-scale development can be reached. As a result we will no longer be pursuing this opportunity."

The casino company had considered investing more than $30 billion (22B Euro) in the project that was to include 12 hotels, six casinos, a convention centre, golf courses, theatres, shopping malls, bars and restaurants. Those plans were announced in 2012.

Reports by the Associated Press indicated that the plan had had faced a great deal of oppositions in Spain from people who feared it would lead to a change in non-smoking laws, promote prostitution and provide only low-paying jobs.

"We are thankful to the many people who have devoted time and energy in an attempt to bring this development to fruition. The government of Spain, specifically the Regional Government of Madrid, has continuously pursued this opportunity with the interests of the Spanish people in mind and they should be commended for their efforts," said Michael Leven, the Las Vegas Sands' president and chief operating officer.