SO LONG, BUT NOT FAREWELL

The industry might be down but it’s definitely not out - its resilience has been proven again and again. In this edition of our magazine, the focus section examines a range of issues facing gaming in Australia.

In our first article, we take a look at the opening experience for pubs and clubs, which at first blush has been more positive than expected. However, as government subsidies wind down, venues are expecting business to slow down. There’s also renewed uncertainty given the new lockdown in Victoria.

From a regulatory perspective, Julian Hoskins, Principal at Senet, takes us through the pros and cons exercise of rethinking the country’s online gambling ban. And, operations wise, Sudhir Kale, founder and principal of GamePlan Consults, provides his thoughts on how to successfully restart the casino motors. Lastly in this section, for a rounded view, we study the impact of the pandemic on problem gambling rates. Leading gambling harm researchers Sally Gainsbury and Alex Blaszczynski assess whether the stress from the current situation is leading to a spike in gambling addiction, or whether lack of access to pokies is helping to press the reset button.

Asia Gaming Brief has taken a proactive approach to the market’s recovery with the development of the Australian Gaming Survey: Covid-19 Response - a nationwide survey sent to clubs and pubs across Australia to explore how businesses have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the strategies employed to mitigate its impact. Results from this new data instrument will be presented by leading research firm Forecast during this year’s online Australasian Gaming Seminars.

Taking another page from the recovery coverage, while Cambodia has taken a major knock from the Covid-19 crisis and last year’s ban on online gaming, we’ve found that those on the ground are optimistic it will bounce back stronger than ever.

Unlike other Asian jurisdictions, where most properties have been allowed to shut down their operations due to public health and other concerns, Macau has been back online after a short hiatus. The massive IRs have kept the lights on, and all that entails, catering to minimal patronage. “All six operators have maintained their staff levels and contributed greatly to charitable efforts in the special administrative region, but with no end in sight to the border restrictions, it wouldn’t be unreasonable if their patience is wearing thin,” says Sharon Singleton, AGB’s managing editor, on her Last Word.

Also covered in these pages are the endeavours in Japan’s online market: A growing number of online operators are targeting the country - attracted by the potential of converting some of the $38 billion in annual pachinko revenue to their sites.

For the first time in 30 years, the Australasian Gaming Expo will not be filling the floors of the International Convention Center in Sydney’s beautiful Darling Harbour. However, Asia Gaming Brief has once again been selected to deliver the Australasian Gaming Seminars, a three-day digital conference program aimed at exploring the latest developments in the Australasian gaming market.

Tune in to get exclusive insights such as the exclusive video tour of SkyCity’s Auckland venue – one of the first gaming venues in the region to reopen amid COVID-19 where you’ll hear how they’ve seen customer demand change from the onset, what challenges have been experienced in their venues and their advice for the Australian market.

We’ll find you at AGE’s Digital Seminars!

On behalf of Asia Gaming Brief

Rosalind Wade & Luis Pereira

Publishers