AGBriefings November 2020 Edition by Asia Gaming Brief

Jurisdiction Updates November 2020 Edition

philippines pg.12

Pessimism over POGO prospects

singapore pg.14 LVS delivers Singapore surprise myanmar pg.26

Asia’s new i-gaming frontier

Macau pg.8

Reaching a turning point?

In focus pg.16

Macau’s place in the Bay

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MESSAGE 5

Diversify, or else…

hile nowhere in the world has escaped the

own online gaming arm for VIP guests.

economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis,

Across the straits, Singapore provided a bright note in Las

Macau has been hit harder than most, with

Vegas Sands’ latest earnings report, with Marina Bay Sands

forecasts for gross domestic product to

beating expectations and turning in a profit. Reasons for

shrink more than 50 percent this year. As a result, industry

further optimism at the IR, which has consistently had

watchers predict that the government will step up its

amongst the best margins in the business, include an

efforts to promote diversification, backing up its attempts

expansion in the number of slot machines from January

at moral suasion with contractual teeth.

next year by another 500 cabinets.

In this focus edition of the magazine, we take a look

Over to Indochina, many of the operations that fled

at what a future Macau might look like and its place in

Cambodia after a ban on the practice last year seem to be

China’s Greater Bay Area mega project thorough analysis

finding new homes in Myanmar. Such is the rush, powered

of academics. Professor Desmond Lam looks at several

by fintech, that observers expect that the city of Myawaddy

options, ranging from health and wellness to cater for a

will surpass Sihanoukville in merely three years.

growing area of the travel market as China’s population

We dedicate the latter section of the edition to an especially

ages, to taking advantage of its geographical position to

robust Suppliers Special Report. Taking it as an indication

promote water sports and other sporting activities. In

that the industry is driving its own bounce back. We’re

turn, Professor Glenn McCartney, examines the various

featuring a significant larger array of products and services

proposals that have been mooted in the past, such as

this time around, ranging from traditional land base cabinet

creating a financial services industry, to assess whether

suppliers to ePayment solutions. You’ll be surprised by the

any stand any real chance of success.

level of ingenuity and innovation the industry is displaying

In these pages you’ll find the most relevant updates

as it pivots to adapt to this new normal.

Rosalind Wade

Luis Pereira

throughout the Asia Gaming Jurisdictions. Staying with Macau, operators continued to chalk up heavy

Happy reading. Stay healthy. Keep Strong.

headline losses in Q3 as visitation to the territory remains low, but executives say they are hitting the breakeven point

On behalf of Asia Gaming Brief

in October and expect conditions to improve.

Rosalind Wade & Luis Pereira

Turning to The Philippines, while government officials

CO-FOUNDERS

have complained about the use of the word “exodus” to describe departing POGOs, it’s clear that the sector has

Connect with us:

shrunk significantly and is still shrinking, resulting in a massive reduction of tax revenue. To curb the loss PAGCOR

@agbrief

is developing plans to legalize online gaming for local

Asia Gaming Brief

Filipinos and allow licensed casino operators to run their

www.agbrief.com

November 2020 EDITION Series II • Issue XIX

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Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

CONTENTS 6

GREATER CHINA

SOUTH EAST ASIA

MACAU

INDOCHINA

PHIlippines

singapore

russia

AUSTRALASIA

myanmar

CAMBODIA

special focus

NORTH ASIA

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

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GREATER CHINA

MACAU

Cautious optimism October marked a turning point Macauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gaming operators continued to chalk up heavy headline losses in Q3 as visitation to the territory remains low, but executives say they are hitting the breakeven point in October and expect conditions to improve.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

elco Resorts & Entertainment Chief Financial Officer Geoff Davis noted that, contrary to their earlier estimate that they could break even with about 30-35 percent of their usual GGR, “we now expect our Macau operations to achieve break even adjusted property EBITDA upon reaching the mid-to-high 20 percent range of our pre-Covid gross gaming revenue levels.” When Davis later noted that currently “we’re probably about 35 percent of our volumes from what we’ve had before,” an analyst asked the key question, “As you mentioned, volume wise, it’s getting back to 35 percent. Does that mean the company is already back to profitability?” To this, Davis confirmed, in October “we are marginally in positive EBITDA territory. And that includes roughly US$10 million of bad debt expense.” It was also noted that there was much need for improvement in terms of the ability for mainland Chinese customers to return to Macau, and that there was little consistency on the visa issues. “Guangdong is still kind of messed up,” Davis noted, and therefore “a lot of our players are coming out of the non-Guangdong region.”

GREATER CHINA 9

Chief Operating Officer David Sisk added somewhat later in the call that “it’s incredibly inconsistent in China, between the provinces and the cities. One of the things you can see is you can go to a non-Guangdong Province,

“

We are marginally in positive EBITDA territory. And that includes roughly US$10 million of bad debt expense,

”

and it can take a day. If in Guangdong, sometimes it can take fourteen days… A lot of our Guangdong players that came in early October have been told basically, they can’t come back for two months.” Presumably, then, sorting out the visa

issues between Guangdong and Macau would be a major boost for putting Melco, and probably other Macau operators, more securely in positive EBITDA territory. Wynn Resorts too said it had broken even in Macau in the same month. It posted a 77.5 percent drop in operating revenue for the quarter to $370.5 million, resulting in a loss of $758.1 million, compared to net loss of $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2019. In October, Wynn Macau produced EBITDA of $6 million and said its mass drop in the month had reached 40 percent of Q4,2019 levels. October VIP volumes were 25-30 percent of Q4. Analysts at Deutsche Bank said Wynn’s management appeared balanced and empirical on its earnings call “with hints of optimism across the regions.” “We believe management likes the traction to date in Macau, but remains cautious around the cadence of the recovery, one that we believe is likely to show continued sequential improvement, the pace of which is likely to be more measured than parabolic.” Las Vegas Sands also expressed confidence about Macau’s recovery, saying its business performance post the end of the quarter had seen meaningful improvement.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

GREATER CHINA 10

“In Macao, operating losses reduced sequentially over the second quarter. The third-quarter results, however, are not representative of our current business trajectory,” Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson noted on an analysts’ call. “As the resumption of visa issuance across all provinces in China only commenced toward the end of September, the initial stages of recovery since then have been very encouraging. During the Golden Week, we saw meaningful recovery across the different segments of our Macao operations.” “Importantly, business volumes in the premium mass segment enjoyed the most significant resurges. This vital segment is central to our ongoing investment program in Macao and has been leading our revenue generation at this stage of the recovery,” he added. “We expect the base mass market to recover as visitation to the market increases.” Analysts say the next milestones for visitation to Macau will be the return to same-day visa processing in China and the self-service e-visa kiosks, as at present the visas are being processed manually resulting in delays. An easing in testing requirements would also be welcomed, although at present there is no indication that is on the table.

G O L D E N WEEK W EEK GOLDEN T R A V E L STATS S TA TS TRAVEL I NEESSEE M MOOVVEEM MEENNTTSS DDUURRIIN NGG GGO OLLD DEE N N W W EE EE KK CCHHI N

C H I N A TRIPS T R I P S -- DOMESTIC DO M ES TIC CHINA 6 3 7 MILLION M ILLIO N 637

87% 87%

of o f 2019 2 0 19

Not N o t Afraid A fr a id

"With " W ith more m or e than tha n 600 600 million m illion domestic dom es tic trips tr ips during du r ingGolden G olden Week, W eek, itit is is clear clea r that tha t the the average a ver a ge Chinese Chines e citizen citizen has ha s not not been been afraid a fr a id to to travel." tr a vel." Prof. P r o f . Dr. D r . Wolfgang, W o l f ga n g, COTRI CO T R I

C CH H IIN NA A TT R R II P PS S -- M MA AC CA AU U 114 4 55 ,, 0 00 00 0

18% 18 %

Blue-card holders continue to shrink The number of non-resident workers in Macau continues to shrink. By the end of September, there were around 181,000 “blue card” holders in Macau. That is 11,800 fewer workers when compared with the beginning of the year. The Labor Affairs Bureau said the most affected sector is hotels and restaurants, which lost 7,400 non-residents since January. Two-thirds of the foreign workers were from Mainland China, followed by the Philippines and Vietnam.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

of o f 2019 2 0 19

Beijing B e i j i n g Intervention In te r v e n tio n

There Ther e isis speculation s pecu la tion that tha t the the IVS IVS process pr oces s was wa s intentionally intentiona lly made m a de long long to to manage m a na ge the the number nu m ber of of visitors vis itor s entering enter ing Macau M a ca u in in order or der to to lower lower risk r is k of of an a n outbreak. ou tbr ea k.

agbrief.com a gb r ie f . c o m

GREATER CHINA 11

GROSS GAMING REVENUE 10-mo. 2020 MOP45.8

-81.4%

Oct. GGR MOP7.2b

-72.5%

2020E Bernstein

-70%

2020E Deutsche Bank

-78%

2021E Deutsche Bank

+260%

Macau plans large-scale events to boost length of stay Macau tourism authorities are planning a series of large-scale events to boost overnight visitation, though say the current levels entry of about 24,000 daily are likely to be maintained through year end.The Macau Grand Prix and the Macau Food Festival will be the two main events in a series of large scale events included in a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tour Macao Carnivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; initiative to be held throughout the city between November and December and aimed at attracting more mainland tourists for the Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year holiday periods.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SOUTH EAST ASIA

philippines

POGO shrinkage accelerates

While government officials have complained about the use of the word “exodus” by local media to describe departing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), it’s clear that the sector has shrunk significantly and is still shrinking.

ccording to figures on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) website, only 33 POGOs have been given permission to resume operations post-Covid 19, from a total of 55 prior to the pandemic. However, according to predictions from one of the country’s leading real estate firms, that outbound trend is accelerating. David Leechiu, who is CEO of Leechiu Property Consultants with more than 25 years of experience in the business, is expecting a 17-percent vacancy rate in Manila’s office market by the end of this year as the online gaming companies leave. That equates to about 300,000 square metres, he told a webinar hosted by local media, adding that at present, POGOs make up for about 1.7 million square metres of space in the Philippine capital. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of it. He expects that rate to rise to another 20 to 30 percent next year. Leechiu attributes the departures to the increasing cost of doing business. The government, in an effort to squeeze more revenue out of the sector to boost Covid-depleted coffers, has imposed a 5 percent tax on gross gambling volume. This, together with the mandate that all back taxes and fees need to be paid before reopening, has proved the final straw for many of the companies. As has growing anti-Chinese sentiment against the predominantly Mainland workforce, many of whom have decided to return home for good. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was another to confirm the ongoing outflow. Speaking to the Philippine National News Agency, SBMA chair Wilma Eisma said she expected the trend to continue as the pandemic dragged on. She said the number of Chinese workers in POGO firms in the freeport had dropped from 1,500 four months ago to less than 500 at present. Just one firm, the Great Empire Gaming and Amusement Corp. sent all its 368 workers back in June after losing PHP106 million. As an interesting side note, Eisma released the figures during a Department of Tourism budget meeting, where senators expressed concern about the number of Mainland Chinese who had applied for the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa. Apparently, some 27,678 foreigners have applied for such status, some as young as 35, raising concern it was another attempt by POGO workers to subvert immigration and visa requirements.

SOUTH EAST ASIA 13

She said the situation in Subic “is nothing to be alarmed about, because the number of Chinese POGO workers is trending downwards, not upwards.” According to figures from the SBMA Business Group, about 85 percent of the Chinese workers hired by POGO firms here have been retrenched since March when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the global economy hard. The government had been eyeing P17.5 billion ($360.7 million) in revenue from POGOs this year, compared with the P7 billion that was collected in 2019. The funds would be put towards economic stimulus plans to help the country get back on its feet. Local industry sources have said PAGCOR is considering plans to legalize online gaming

GROSS GAMING REVENUE

for local Filipinos, given the practice is already widespread in the country. How far this would be able to go to offset the loss of the foreign operators is unclear. PAGCOR has confirmed that it will allow Manila’s integrated resorts to accept bets online to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Land-based casinos have been permitted to reopen, but only at 30 percent capacity with strict social distancing measures in place. There is also no foreign tourism into the Philippines at present. PH Resorts Chief Operating Officer Angel Sueiro said the local market at the group’s casinos is sufficient to “pay the bills,” but doesn’t make for an “exciting business.” For that international visitors need to return.

(units in mil)

Licensed Casinos 33,898

Entertainment City Fiesta

1,959

435 19

Clark

3,908 186

Total

38,242 2,164 (Source: PAGCOR)

PH Resorts sets share offer price at 32.8% discount PH Resorts Group Holdings, Inc, the Udenna Group’s gaming and hospitality subsidiary, has set the offer price for its followon offering of up to 450 million primary common shares at P1.68, a 32.8 percent discount from the top-end of its price range. The net proceeds will be used to partially fund the construction of the first phase of Emerald Bay, the Company’s flagship integrated casino beachfront resort in Mactan, Cebu. Emerald Bay will be the first integrated casino resort on Mactan Island with convenient access from the Cebu-Mactan International Airport.

Belle 9-month profit plunges 96% Belle Corp., which owns half of City of Dreams Manila, said its income in the January-to-September period plunged by 96 percent to PHP93 million (US$2 million) from last year’s P2.56 billion, as the pandemic shuttered its facilities and halted tourist arrivals. Revenues were down by half for the period to P2.91 billion from last year’s P5.77 billion. Belle’s share in the gaming revenues at City of Dreams Manila declined by 86 percent to P325 million in January to September from P2.38 billion last year.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SOUTH EAST ASIA 14

SINGAPORE

Singapore beats the odds Singapore provided a bright note in Las Vegas Sands’ latest earnings report, with Marina Bay Sands beating expectations and turning in a profit.

he group’s Marina Bay Sands property actually made money on an adjusted EBITDA level in the quarter — $70 million in fact. That’s despite having no foreign visitation and limited operations due to social distancing measures. You may recall, ratings agencies in recent weeks have sounded a note of caution about the Singapore market as it pertains to rival Genting Singapore, stating that the lack of foreign arrivals and slow recovery would

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

drag on the Genting Group’s earnings. Well, that’s certainly not been the case for LVS. “We’re very encouraged with what’s happening in MBS,” said Rob Goldstein, group president and operating officer on a call with analysts. “We made some money this quarter, as you see. I think that will continue to grow.” Reasons for further optimism at the IR, which has consistently had amongst the

best margins in the business, include an expansion in the number of slot machines from January next year from 1,500 to 2,000. A peculiarity of the market is that the locals, who are allowed to gamble with payment of an entry fee, prefer slot machines. Goldstein points out that when they refer to locals, the more precise definition would be permanent residents, as the island nation has a large and multinational population. “That’s probably the big driver of our

SOUTH EAST ASIA 15

visitor days Visitor Days

Average Length of Stay (ALOS)

ALOS (Days)

60.0

50.0

32.7

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

2019

Apr.

May.

Jun.

Jul.

Aug.

Sep.

0.0

2020 (Source: Singapore Tourism Board)

Airfares soar on bubble news The cost of air tickets between two major Asian financial hubs jumped within 24 hours of Singapore and Hong Kong unveiling plans for a travel bubble that wouldn’t require people to quarantine upon arrival. The cheapest price for a Singapore Airlines Ltd. return economy seat to Hong Kong was S$558 ($410) hours after the announcement up until the end of December, versus around S$400 beforehand, the airline’s website showed. Return business-class fares rose about HK$5,000 ($645) to HK$19,000.

very strong slot ETG win, not as strong on the table side, where the market is not as favorable with local residents,” he said. For more traction in MBS’s table business, Singapore needs international visitors to return. On that front, there has been good news with the announcement of the creation of a Hong Kong/Singapore air corridor. Goldstein says that as other regional markets, such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan open up, Singapore could “easily grow from, right now, $25 million, $35 million a month to maybe $50 million or $75 million a month and keep going.” Union Gaming analyst John DeCree said the Singapore surprise was the second-biggest takeaway of the quarter in LVS’s results, the first being Las Vegas breaking even on a hold normalized basis. He points out that slot win returned to nearly 80 percent of

its level in the same period last year, while non-rolling table win recovered to about 40 percent.

“

We made some money this quarter, as you see. I think that will continue to grow.

”

He agrees the air bubble with Hong Kong is a potential catalyst, but warns the return of any material cross-border travel

Fincy pulls out of Myanmar project Singapore-based financial services firm Fincy said it has withdrawn from a controversial development project run by Chinese investors accused of involvement in cryptocurrency and online casino operations near the Thai border in Myanmar’s Karen State. The company won the contract in March this year to supply payment solutions to the Yatai smart city project.

will take at least several quarters. The upbeat note from LVS came despite warnings from ratings agencies about the slow recovery in Singapore. Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed Genting Malaysia’s BBB rating, but said the outlook is “negative” as the ongoing travel restrictions to the island nation are holding back Resorts World Sentosa. It estimates that international visitors make up about 75-80 percent of the total. Fitch Ratings was equally downbeat, saying that the Genting Singapore unit won’t recover on an EBITDA basis before 2023, longer than its prior forecast for 2022. In its earnings call, LVS noted that its recovery was being driven by the premium mass customer in both Macau and Singapore and said demand for high-end retail products had been surprisingly strong.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

FOCUS 16

Focusing on diversification While nowhere in the world has escaped the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis, Macau has been hit harder than most, with forecasts for gross domestic product to shrink more than 50 percent this year.

“

[The coronavirus has] fully exposed the vulnerability and huge risks of the Macau economy’s over-reliance on gaming tourism,” said Macau CEO Ho Iat Seng in April. “This epidemic has once again exposed the problems and risks of Macau’s economic structure.” As a result, industry watchers predict that the government will step up its efforts to promote diversification, backing up its attempts at moral suasion with contractual teeth. The concessions of the six operators expire in 2022 and successful a retender is likely to involve meaningful commitments to non-gaming amenities. In this focus edition of the magazine, we take a look again at what a future Macau might look like and its place in China’s Greater Bay Area mega project. The stated objectives of the GBA plan are to further deepen cooperation amongst Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, fully leverage the composite advantages of the three places, facilitate in-depth integration within the region, and promote coordinated regional

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

economic development. The scope is enormous, encompassing a total population of more than 72 million, with GDP of $1.67 trillion. But we ask whether Macau will be able to keep its unique identity in this sprawling megalopolis. We also explore some of the ways that realistically, the gambling hub might diversify its economy and tourism sector to provide enough of a cushion to mitigate future external shocks. Professor Desmond Lam of the University of Macau looks at several options, ranging from health and wellness to cater for a growing area of the travel market as China’s population ages, to taking advantage of its geographical position to promote water sports and other sporting activities. Professor Glenn McCartney, also at the University of Macau, looks at some of the various proposals that have been mooted in the past, such as creating a financial services industry, to assess whether any stand any real chance of success.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

FOCUS 18

GBA project to benefit, but not necessarily diversify Macau Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enormous Greater Bay Area (GBA) initiative sets out an ambitious role for Macau, though views are mixed on exactly how much it will help the Special Administrative Region diversify its gaming-centric economy.

he GBA project, which was formalized in 2017, aims to link Hong Kong and Macau, together with nine other southern Chinese cities to create an economic hub comparable to the Greater Tokyo Area. The cities have a total population of nearly 70 million, which is greater than the Tokyo Metropolitan Area - the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest city cluster with a population of 44 million. It has a combined GDP of

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

about US$1.34 trillion, which is lower than the US$1.78 trillion of Greater Tokyo, according to KPMG figures. The project aims to ease the flow of goods and services as well as the movement of people across the zone. The easing of regulations comes with massive infrastructure investment to vastly improve connectivity across Southern China. Jose Luis Sales Marques, president of the Institute

FOCUS 19

of European Studies of Macau, said the GBA plan envisages three key roles for Macau: to be a world class tourism and leisure centre; to be a commerce and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese speaking countries; and, last but not least, to be a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture in the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist, a place for cultural interchange. “Therefore, what is expected of Macau is much more than just being a nice and profitable tourist city in this new region,” he said. However, how feasible are these objectives? Sales Marques says all three have enormous potential to help diversify Macau’s economy and also to diversify its tourism offering away from its current gaming and resort-centred base. “There is much to do to improve Macau as a service platform for commerce and trade between China and the Portuguese speaking world and the Greater Bay Area itself is a

market with over 70 million sophisticated consumers that should be prioritised as a target to develop those business connections,” he said. “Intercultural dialogue and exchange can lead to profitable businesses in creative industries, language training, both in Portuguese and Spanish, as well as the setting up of an educational hub, attracting universities and schools from Southern Europe and South and Central America eager to build long lasting connections with China.” There appears to be a general consensus that Macau will benefit from its position at the heart of the GBA initiative, however, others don’t expect much diversification away from its tourism industry. “Macau is the de-facto leisure and entertainment hub in the GBA. I do not think the role will change in the next 5 year-plan (2021-2025) and beyond,” says Alberto Vettoretti, managing partner in Dezan Shira’s Hong Kong office.

“Given the lack of additional and diversified sectors which could potentially flourish next to the entertainment field, the lack of new/supporting industry and its land limitation, Macau shall continue to do well as the largest gambling, gaming and leisure hub in China and Asia. I do not see how it would play a relevant role in the Portuguese-speaking world and community given the lack of infrastructure and skill base and do not see it developing as a finance centre along the lines of Hong Kong and Shenzhen either.” “I envisage an ideal and integrated loop where all the money being made by the state and private sector in the GBA and the high savings already in the hands of the 70 million residents in the GBA would find a limited, controlled but natural outflow into the former Portuguese colony,” he adds. The infrastructure projects currently being undertaken will allow travel within the zone within a two to three-hour period. With greater competition from other Asian jurisdictions now offering high-quality gambling facilities and likely post-Covid travel restrictions, this local market may be key for Macau’s development. Still, Macau needs to improve its offering so tourists stay longer and keep coming back. “The typical “visitor” in Macau would stay less than 2 days (1 day in most cases), place bets, gamble and then leave. Macau would need to build up a larger ecosystem, a wider offering to create stickiness with any sort of visitor (and gamblers too of course) for a longer period of time. This is where Vegas is doing a better job although Macau boosts six times the revenues,” Vettoretti said. Medical and cultural tourism, MICE, coastal tourism and gastronomy are just some of the areas that are often cited as areas of potential improvement for Macau’s tourism offering. While Beijing is unlikely to take any measures to curtail Macau’s gambling industry, which might be likened to “killing the goose that lays the golden egg,” it will be serious about diversification. The Covid-19 shock, which will result in Macau being one of the worst-affected economies this year, has too clearly highlighted its over dependence on a single industry. “Any prediction of how much the Macau economy could diversify in terms of a percentage of GDP away from gaming, is a wild guess,” Sales Marques says. “It will take a long time to materialize. However, more important than the final destination is the process of diversification, itself, that need be taken seriously.”

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

FOCUS 20

Desmond Lam*

Re-imagining Macau for a diversified future This pandemic has changed the lives of many Macanese and millions of others globally. In this part of the world, we have moved from controlling its proliferation to managing a potential deep economic fallout as a result of it.

onetheless, industry observers worldwide have praised Macau for its prompt and effective management of the pandemic so far. However, the eagerly-anticipated Golden Week has come and gone. As we ponder why visitation has not returned as much as we wanted, we nevertheless need to look further into the future on the types of product portfolio that we should offer. The good thing is that even in times of great economic depression, there is hope and opportunity. To support the Macau government initiatives to diversify, Macau and its integrated resorts need to dig deeper and innovate. We need diversity in terms of customer base and product offerings. As a Chinese city, Macau will nevertheless continue to tap on its Mainland Chinese market, even as we seek to diversify our tourist base market. In the next 20 years, Macau will play a critical role within the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and work closely

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

with GBA cities in all areas, since they supply the largest proportion of our annual visitor arrivals. For years, we were told that Macau is to be a World Center for Tourism and Leisure. But, above all, this pandemic has revealed Macauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major weaknesses particularly as a city that is over-reliant on tourism and tourist money, not just gaming and gambling. To effectively diversify Macauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy, we must gradually develop other economic sectors beyond tourism. Despite our mission to diversify, we should not ignore nor demonize our gaming market, as it still makes a significant contribution to our economic prosperity and will continue to play a major role in our future economic development. For Macau to diversify its economy, continual innovation in the marketplace is a definite must. For example, it is easy to envision a city that will have better connectivity, both physically (i.e., between different

FOCUS 21

We cannot ignore our senior visitors, who among many of our visitors. Macau will need may be avoiding traveling nowadays because of to build a stronger city brand that conveys their higher risk to COVID-19, but what is grey this message and, more importantly, relates now may be golden to Macau in the future. This to premium quality in products and services. Above all, one non-gaming sector that relies phenomenon gives room for the development of the medical, health and wellness tourism sectors. less on mass tourist numbers and more on visitors’ For a city surrounded by waters, there are spending power is the business travelers’ market. For years, the Macau surprisingly few waterGovernment Tourism related communal and Office has attempted tourism activities. This to build an amicable could change as we For Macau international MICE increasingly look for to diversify its (Meeting, Incentives, innovative ideas to Conferences and raise the living quality economy, continual Exhibition) market of residents and to boost innovation in the but with limited success. novelty in our tourism This effort will certainly product offerings. In fact, marketplace is a continue with the adding further development of definite must. of more, and better, sports or, more accurately, modern MICE facilities. sports entertainment Among all, incentivetourism, beyond our meetings are more currentportfolioofGrand Prix and other international sports events (like targeted and can bring about the “right” bleisure boxing and volleyball competition) will continue (business-leisure) visitors to the city – visitors to grow in importance as complementary product with, potentially, higher net worth and spending propensity. This segment will grow further as offerings to health or wellness tourism. To promote Macau as an international tourism connectivity within GBA improves. A MICE city, Macau and its integrated resorts will need destination targeting ‘bleisure’ travelers from to, consciously, develop “instagrammable” (i.e., neighboring GBA cities may work – one that wechat-able or even douyin-able) attractions and/ focuses on short-trip and short-stay MICE or Instagram-worthy iconic structures (or even tourism that more effectively make use of buildings). The current most “instagrammable” Macau’s regional airport, land- and sea-based attractions in Macau are mostly centered on connectivity to these relatively nearby cities. To build diversity beyond tourism-dependent cultural or historically rich places like the 20 UNESCO sites and old Macau streets. Iconic economic sectors, which mostly rely on visitor buildings, whether old, new, East or West, like arrival numbers, Macau has to look towards Macau Tower, Ruins of St. Paul’s, Hotel Lisboa other areas such as the featured finance, medical, and/or Macau Eiffel Tower, add to the visual health care, and/or even the education market. richness of our destination and provide easy As it continues to strengthen its services-related sectors, Macau’s efforts to diversify in these new mental access to online users. To this point, Macau and its integrated resorts industries will require new knowledge, skills will need to create stronger mental pictures and capabilities. This means an increase in the that are enduring and easily accessible on the import of foreign talents and the education or internet and various mobile social media. Mental re-education of existing local employees to take availability, along with physical accessibility, can up new roles. For the former, it will require a review of current labor law and regulations, and help pull our targeted tourists over. While physical accessibility centers on making for the latter, an expansion of training/educational it easier for our visitors to come to Macau (i.e., programmes for its existing labor force. taking away the need for nucleic acid test, travel visa availability and easy of application, and facilitating private transportation from point to *Desmond Lam is a Professor in Integrated point), mental availability is about making visible Resort and Tourism Management and the our brands/offerings/promotion to our potential Director of Accreditations at the Faculty of visitors and getting into their consideration set Business Administration, University of Macau. every time they think about a destination. A life member of Clare Hall (University of Moreover, to be successful, Macau needs to Cambridge), Desmond is a recipient of several be seen as a place for world-class entertainment, awards including the Emerging Leader trophy beyond gaming – a perception still lingering at the 2016 Asia Gaming Awards.

“

”

properties and attractions) and digitally (e.g., digital payment). More importantly, a physically better-connected Cotai with purposefullydesigned covers and boardwalk and buzzing activities can surely revitalize the market. In addition, a combination of interior and exterior attractions on Cotai (i.e., weekend street flea market along the Strip), much like the Las Vegas Strip, may be viable as we innovate. We may start to toy with the idea of moving our tourists from indoor to outdoor during cooler weather. Two non-gaming sectors that consistently performed well in the past decades are our food and beverage and luxury retail sectors. With 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, restaurants that offer varied international cuisines and numerous local outlets serving Macanese food, Macau can truly develop its gastronomy further. Similarly, our retail market, specifically our luxury segment, has ballooned along with our gaming market since 2003. Macau should continue to develop its gastronomy and retail industry in the next 20 years, with a major focus on service quality and distinctiveness. The future of Macau non-gaming sectors will certainly also include more technologyenhanced entertainment such as drone entertainment shows, drone races, ESports, AI visual projection displays, etc. This tech attracts young and adult tourists alike.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

FOCUS 22

Glenn McCartney*

Be what you want to be – Macao 2021 and beyond Before delving into the much-discussed path of Macao’s diversification efforts and challenges in the past 20 years, and future outlook, let me take a step back. During COVID-19 there are 3 lines of concurrent thought for a ‘strategic’ tourism recovery, that is, one that better positions the city for greater sustainable development in the medium to longer term – one aim being a diversified tourism portfolio.

irst, is in dealing with the immediacy of the present-day challenge of recovery – reactivating visitation and gambling revenues back to Macao’s tourism industry quickly, but safely, in close collaboration with health professionals and the various health mandates required to be in place. Marketing campaigns are engineered for this shorter outlook. The second mode, during the lockdown downtime, and as the city’s tourism recovery ramps up into 2021, is a phase of reviewing, reflecting, and changing where appropriate, past policies, processes and laws around those issues that influence Macao’s tourism trajectory, be it tourism or casino specific (considering there is a public casino tendering process soon), or issues such as labour, land, or construction. This should involve a high level of collaboration and consensus seeking between public authorities and private sector (casinos,

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

hotels, retailers, transportation modes, travel agencies). Upon COVID-19 exit, and later into 2021, this fresh and coordinated analysis then propels and navigates Macao on an adjusted development path. The third mode involves longer-term thinking on Macao’s tourism development, after working through dealing with the ‘now’ and reopening. This longerterm aim will include forward thinking positions on construction projects on Cotai, Macao city branding and city tourism product mix, non-gaming development, and talent and training requirements. It involves scenario planners and forecasters, presenting states of Macao 10 to 20 years from now including the official vision of Macao, particularly within the Greater Bay Area. Multiple perspectives play into this analysis such as consumer travel trends and motives, technologies (SMART city, service robots and AI, IoT) and sustainability aspects

FOCUS 23

involving the community, economy, and environment - and given the dramatic impact of COVID-19 to tourism, assessing future risks and corresponding remedies for the city. An analysis of all 3 modes will determine Macao’s diversification efforts going into 2021 and beyond. In 2019, casino taxation contribution to Macao’s total tax was 84 percent, compared to 55 percent in 2006. Given the significant losses to the casino concessions for most of 2020 due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the focus on revenue recovery will be from the casino floor. This already is apparent in October as greater casino revenues return. Chinese visitors to the casino resorts have less non-gaming leisure options due to COVID-19 mandates and casino operator efforts to stem losses, resulting in the scale back of the event and entertainment sector. The Chinese visitor is therefore perhaps more gaming centric at present. With high costs and the need for specialized labour, it will take some time to fully reactivate the event and entertainment sector. I can put 4 or 5 possible tourism trajectory outcomes for Macao in the next 10 years, but Macao’s diversification efforts are anchored and steered by policy changes and updates (mode 2). These will chart Macao’s development trajectory going into 2021, and in turn will guide the city to a certain state in the next 10 or 20 years in terms of the gaming/non-gaming mix. Externalities (regional travel destination competition, Chinese consumer preferences, politics, technologies, risk) will exist and shape Macao’s development too. Reflecting on the initial 3 modes to consider in 2020, Macao’s diversification efforts could be limiting in 2021. However, considering that diversification is multi-facet and can encompass several sectors beyond leisure (such as the creative or finance sectors for example), the longer-term economic arguments and development of Macao as one less reliant on casino revenues, will also be about strategic choices – and ones which will ultimately shape the Macao of 2021 and beyond. *Professor Glenn McCartney MBE is Associate Professor of International Integrated Resort Management at the University of Macau, China, where he also serves the University as Associate Dean (Curriculum and Teaching) in the Faculty of Business Administration. Professor McCartney worked for many years in different operational, strategic and consultancy roles within the tourism, hospitality and gaming industry in Macao and other Asian regional countries.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

NORTH ASIA

russia

Summit Ascent looks to next phase of development Summit Ascent Holdings has reiterated that it is preparing at least US$200 million in investment funds for the Tigre de Cristal second phase development.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

NORTH ASIA

Cristal in the Russian Far East. Tsifetakis also stated that work on the development of the existing casino continues, and since January, about US$5 million has been invested to create apartments for employees, a food court restaurant, lounges for VIP players, and a nightclub. At the moment, the casino has

ccording to Stylianos Tsifetakis, chief operating officer of G1 Entertainment, the company intends to create a comfortable tourist area in the Primorye region not only for casino visitors, but also for families and children. “We plan to invest at least US$200 million in the construction of the second phase,” he said. “A facility with a total area of about 63,000 square meters is planned, with a hotel offering 350 rooms will be built, as well as up to 1,500 square meters to be used for restaurants, bars, conference rooms, and other entertainment areas.” He added that “the project includes a large shopping center with a food court and a family recreation area, and we also want to create a pool area with a transparent dome and a tropical forest atmosphere. In our opinion, this will be unusual and in demand among the residents of the Far East.” Tsifetakis noted that the new shareholders need to make minor changes to the plans for the second stage of Tigre de Cristal construction, and the project is still in the midst of the approval process. Earlier this month, the Suncity Group completed acquisition of an approximately 69.7 percent stake in Summit Ascent, taking a controlling share in the operator of Tigre de

GROSS GAMING REVENUE

This is the “ greatest indication

that the group is not solely reliant on foreign visitors.

”

more than 1,100 employees, and even during the pandemic, salaries have not been cut. He concluded, “Tigre de Cristal opened in October 2015, and during all this time we see not only progress in the development of the gambling zone, but also in the development of Vladivostok and Primorye as a whole… From the Republic of Korea alone, initially the tourist

flow was 50-60,000 people per year, and already last year there were almost 300,000 Korean tourists. We have seen a positive effect from the introduction of e-visa for 53 countries. As soon as the borders are opened, this will have a significant impact on Primorye Territory.” In its latest quarterly report, the company reported a surprisingly strong set of results, helped by support from the local Russian market. The Tigre de Cristal reopened on July 16 and the company was EBITDA positive in both August and September due to the resilience of the mass table and slot businesses. “This is the greatest indication that the group is not solely reliant on foreign visitors,” it said in a note. “The local Russian market could already help Tigre de Cristal to stay afloat in a time when the travel ban is still in place.” In the three months to end September, slot handle was 103 percent of that in the pre-pandemic Q1, while mass table drop recovered to 96 percent of its pre-Covid levels. Rolling volume, however, was affected by the closure of the borders. Meanwhile, the first phase of the Shambhala resort in Russia’s Far East opened in October with an entertainment show and cash prize draw. It’s the second casino to open in the Primorye region.

(in HK$’million)

Average Monthly Net Gaming Revenues Pre-Closure 1Q 2020

Post-Closure Period

Post-Closure Recovery

99% 13.1

13.0 10.9

81% 8.8

Slot Net Win

Mass Table Net Win (Source: Summit Ascent Holdings)

Kazakhstan scores sports betting home goal Recent changes to Kazakhstan’s sports betting law are likely to fuel black market gambling and slash tax revenue for the government, experts say. President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev signed the Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Gambling into law in July. The key provision is the removal of all betting points to two designated gambling zones – Kapshagai and Burabai. A proposal to create a third zone was abandoned by lawmakers. Authorities also plan a unified betting centre and all bets will be accounted for in a single monitoring point. According to the government, this will boost tax collection and simplify controls It will also create a database of players that will help to deter tax avoidance and will introduce procedures for identifying problem gambling.

Primorye still a draw despite Covid, deputy PM says Deputy Prime Minister of Primorye Konstantin Shestakov celebrated the results of casino development in the Russian Far East. In spite of the Covid-19 related difficulties, Shestakov portrayed the overall casino development picture as one of significant success. “Even in this difficult time,” the deputy prime minister stated, “companies are ready to continue investing in Primorye. The existing tourist facilities are developing, new investors from Korea are beginning the construction of a golf course, and negotiations are underway with potential investors on the construction of hotels with casinos. All of this contributes to the formation of a strong anchor for other tourist and entertainment facilities that will be associated with the Primorsky Territory. The creation of casino resorts is also an advantage in terms of organizing a system of package tours for our guests from the Asia-Pacific region.”

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

INDOCHINA

Myanmar

Online operators find new home in Myanmar Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been billed as a $15 billion smart city, powered by the latest in blockchain technology, but in reality it has emerged as a major online gambling hub and the new home to many of the operations that fled Cambodia after a ban on the practice last year. Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

INDOCHINA

atai City, which was formerly a small of Cambodia for illegal gambling activity, village known as Shwe Kokko, is are relocating to Karen state to build three based in Myanmar’s Karen state. megacities as a hub for casinos”… It’s one of three such projects that Yatai’s promotional materials suggest that are backed by Chinese investment and which 60 percent of the project’s revenue in the first have claimed to be part of China’s one belt three years will come from online gambling by one road initiative. operations targeted at Mainland China, USIP Another is called the Saixigang Industrial said. It put the potential size of the market at Zone, which loosely translated means “surpass an annual $25 billion. Sihanoukville,” and is led by convicted triad The non-partisan institute, founded by member Wan Kuok-koi, also known as “Broken the U.S. Congress, said a list of companies Tooth.” He is now the chairman of the project’s operating within the Yatai New City Project key proponent company, Dongmei Group. is available online, with nearly a dozen feature The third is backed by China’s Huanya names such as “entertainment,” “golden International Holdings Group and the Association technology,” or “entertainment technology.” of Business Federations of Sihanoukville. Several of the enterprises on the list match As the world, including Myanmar’s the names of companies operating casinos government, battled the Covid-19 crisis, in Cambodia. these mega projects pushed ahead, raising The authors of the report were not available concern from local people about the influx for an interview. of Chinese nationals, a rise Most of the casinos in in organized crime and Sihanoukville sprung up to the impact on safety and house live dealer operations Myawaddy security. The projects are targeting Mainland Chinese. in partnership with local Prime Minister Hun Sen will surpass armed militants in a state ordered them to shut down Cambodia’s that has been fighting for from the beginning of this year independence from Yangon after pressure from China. Sihanoukville for decades. Dongmei held an investor in only three “It is clear that the project presentation in Kuala Lumpur will have little benefit for earlier this year at which it years. local Karen people,” said a said the Saixigang project report by the Karen Peace wi ll rep or tedly hous e Support Network. “They an industry incubator, a will be displaced off their land, with few job Chinatown-themed commercial street, a prospects in the new development. Based on leisure/entertainment zone, a resort and hotel the experience of similar Chinese casino “SEZs” zone, a market for auction of precious stones, in Laos, the area is also likely to become a hub a large amusement park, an international of criminality, drug trafficking and money logistics hub, and a new science city.” laundering,” it wrote. Pledging a total investment of some $18 Yatai, which is backed by Hong Kong- billion, Dongmei promised that “Myawaddy based Yatai International Holding, was will surpass Cambodia’s Sihanoukville in only given permission in 2018 to build 59 luxury three years.” villas on 25.5 acres of land for $22.5 million. The projects are also adopting blockchain However, in 2019 it circulated a booklet to technology to facilitate the movement of funds. local residents outlining the scope of the Singapore’s Fincy signed an accord in March development, which detailed plans covering this year to pilot its app for the city’s residents 29,621 acres, with a $15 billion price tag. The and businesses for contactless payments and first phase has already started. payroll disbursement. It announced it began After local outcry, Karen state officials the process of pulling out on Oct. 7th after carried out an inspection and ordered a a series of negative reports linking its app to temporary suspension of the project while online gambling. further investigation was carried out. In “Fincy has at no point been involved in practice, construction has continued unabated. the recruitment of staff for the development The United States Institute of Peace of online gambling applications, nor have (USIP) called Yatai City one of the worrying we developed or will develop in-app online developments, as “complex transnational gambling applications,” it said in a rebuttal networks of Chinese investors, forced out of media allegations last week.

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”

Visitor arrivals Tourist Arrivals 3,443,133

3,551,428

2017

2018

4,364,101

2019

Average Length of Stay (Night) 2017

2018

2019

6 (Source: Ministry of Hotels and Tourism)

Centara signs accord for Mandalay casino Centara Hotels & Resorts says it has signed three hotel management agreements for Myanmar, one of which will include a casino. The Thai company said it plans to open the Centara Hotel Mandalay in 2024. The 200-room hotel will include three restaurants, meeting facilities and a casino, among other attractions. It gave no further details on the gaming elements. “As we continue to expand into exciting destinations such as Myanmar, a beautiful destination with great tourism potential, we look forward to showcasing our Thai hospitality and family values on a wider international stage,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Centara Hotels and Resorts.

Greater China investors eye Myanmar opportunities Casino investors from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau have all made enquiries about operating in Myanmar after the government passed new regulations in May, local media reports. The new law allows foreigner-only casinos in the country. Directorate of Investment and Company Administration acting director-general U Thant Sin Lwin was cited by local media as saying casino operators from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau have been actively seeking out opportunities. “These operators have been seeking information and surveying the market in Myanmar. They’re looking to set up business either in Yangon, border areas or on islands,” he said. While the law has been passed, U Thant Sin Lwin said specific rules and procedures still need to be in place before operators can set up casinos, whether as stand-alone businesses or with hotels.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

INDOCHINA 28

CAMBODIA

Sihanoukville gets a face lift While it’s too early to say Cambodia’s coastal gambling hub has risen phoenix-like from the ashes, there are encouraging signs that Sihanoukville is serious about transforming into a mass market tourism destination, with a significant improvement in urban infrastructure.

ihanoukville exploded in a few short years from a sleepy village, with stunning palm-fringed beaches, into an environmental nightmare. An influx of investment, primarily from China, fuelled a construction boom with no urban planning, controls, or infrastructure. Much of the investment went into new casinos, which were little more than a front for online live dealer operations targeting

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

Mainland Chinese. That was until Prime Minister Hun Sen banned online gambling under pressure from Beijing, leaving serious concern about the future of Sihanoukville and its casino industry. However, according to those on the ground, the government did follow through on its promises to upgrade infrastructure and serious investors are now taking another look at the town’s long-term potential.

“There are no more bumpy roads, there are bright lights during the night and you feel much safer when the streets are no longer dark,” said Gary Tham, director of strategic planning at the Jin Bei Group, which opened the Jin Bei Palace in March this year in the second phase of its development projects in Sihanoukville. “During the roadworks they redid the sewer and water system, so everything is falling in place. It’s a very good thing for Sihanoukville.”

INDOCHINA 29

What used to be a bumpy, hour-long ride from the airport into town, now takes about 30 minutes and there is a secondary road that follows along the coastline for a more scenic route. A luxury shopping mall opened earlier this month, while Tham said the town also now boasts an 18-hole golf course. However, the casino industry has been gutted following the online ban and the subsequent Covid-19 crisis. At least 50 percent of the casinos have gone and it’s now mostly just the few big brands still in operation, says Tham, who put the number at between five and ten. In September last year, the Ministry of Finance listed 61 operating casinos in the town, though unofficial figures were higher still. The Ministry of Tourism has made clear that its plans for Sihanoukville are for a family friendly tourism destination aimed at the mass market and recently published regulations on gaming in Cambodia made no reference to any change of heart on the online sector.

“The really, really good times for the VIP rolling market are gone and won’t come back unless online gaming comes back,” says Tham. “The amount of money we’re talking about is just a different ball game. There were people making millions in a day or two. Easy come easy go. Those times have gone.” Still, the change has attracted renewed investment interest and not necessarily on a small scale. Ben Lee, managing partner of iGamiX Management & Consulting said there are some big name project developers looking at the market. “For them to come and look at Sihanoukville, with the type of money they are considering, really denotes something at work here,” he said. One big name that has publicly mentioned Sihanoukville as a possible expansion opportunity is NagaCorp, Cambodia’s largest and most successful operator. In its recent interim report, it said it was looking at both Sihanoukville and Siem Reap for a possible IR, but added that the

resort would not necessarily include gaming. “It is the intention of the group to be perceived as a more comprehensive and quality integrated resort developer with emphasis also on non-gaming as a source of revenue,” it said, adding, “We anticipate that the non-gaming and gaming IR will coexist with each other in a mutually beneficial manner.” Sihanoukville’s urban planning efforts are being helped by city planners from the Southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. In February this year, the government announced ambitious aspirations to use Shenzhen as a blueprint for Sihanoukville’s development. Outside of tourism, Sihanoukville has the advantage of being at the crossroads of multiple infrastructure initiatives under China’s One-BeltOne-Road project and is home to the country’s only deepwater port. It is already the site of a sprawling special economic zone, which houses about 153 companies, with more such zones reportedly in the works.

Nagacorp average daily volumes July-Sept Pre-Closure 1Q 2020

Public Floor Tables Buy-Ins Electronic Gaming Machines Bills-In

Post-Closure Period

Post-Closure Recovery

3,762 3,499

93%

5,524 5,536

100%

VIP Rollings

106,519 76,096

71%

Long-delayed casino law finally passes

Cambodia visitor arrivals down 72% through Aug.

Cambodia’s National Assembly has unanimously approved a long-awaited law to govern the country’s casinos. Economy and Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth said the bill sets the minimum capital for investment in a casino and provides measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. “The law is aimed at further strengthening the management of commercial gaming facilities in Cambodia so as to contribute to boosting economic growth, promoting tourism, increasing tax revenue as well as maintaining social safety and security,” he said at the session. The minimum investment level has not yet been fixed and taxation has been confirmed at 7 percent of gross gambling revenue.

Cambodia attracted 1.22 million foreign visitors during the first eight months of 2020, down 72 percent from 4.36 million over the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism. China, Thailand and Vietnam were the largest sources of foreign travelers to Cambodia during the January-August period this year. It added that some 292,303 Chinese, 182,501 Thais and 180,095 Vietnamese came to the kingdom during the first eight months of this year, down 83 percent, 22 percent and 68 percent, respectively compared to the same period last year. The drop was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and entry restrictions imposed for all foreign travelers since March.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

AUSTRALASIA

AUstralia

David Green*

The Crown has slipped but will it fall There has rarely been a less edifying spectacle in 21st century corporate Australian history than the serial evisceration of the directors of Crown Resorts before the Bergin Inquiry into, among other things, the suitability of its subsidiary licensee of the Barangaroo casino.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

AUSTRALASIA

he many governance failures and vulnerabilities exposed by the Inquiry speak to a hubristic corporate mentality. This has arguably been encouraged and enabled by the regulatory and political inertia which appears to have its origins in the symbiotic relationship between Crown and its host governments, in particular Victoria and Western Australia. While the evidence and testimony presented to the Inquiry has been well covered by the mainstream media, it cannot, of itself, determine Crown’s fate in Sydney. The Inquiry’s terms of reference make it clear that it cannot recommend cancellation or suspension of the casino licence granted in 2014 by the regulator, the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority. Rather, it must report whether the licensee is a suitable person to continue to hold the licence, and whether Crown is a suitable person to be a close associate of the licensee. If the answer to either or both questions is no, the Inquiry must report what changes would be required to make those persons suitable. The terms of reference are drawn on the apparent assumption that any failure of suitability can be cured. The fallback, in the event either that the suitability failure is irremediable, or the proposed manner of remediation does not satisfy the regulator, is the exercise of disciplinary action by the regulator against the licensee in accordance with section 23 of the Casino Control Act 1992. Options for disciplinary action encompass the cancellation or suspension of the casino licence. While there are several grounds

for disciplinary action, two are most likely of relevance here. First, it is a ground for action if “… the licensee is, for specified reasons, considered to be no longer a suitable person to give effect to the licence…”. The Inquiry report may provide such “specified reasons”, as this is a matter directly within the Terms of Reference. There is a second disciplinary ground which potentially has significant ramifications for Crown in both Victoria and Western Australia. It is “that for specified reasons, it is considered to be no longer in the public

What products did people gamble on?

(in percentage)

interest that the licence should remain in force”. There is no generally agreed definition of what constitutes the “public interest”, but Australia’s most senior judge observed in a 2011 case that “when used in a statute, the term derives its content from ‘the subject matter and the scope and purpose’ of the enactment in which it appears. The court is not free to apply idiosyncratic notions of public interest”. So, what is the subject matter, scope and purpose of the Casino Control Act in New South Wales? In keeping with most gaming

Before COVID-19

During COVID-19

60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Horse Greyhound Harness racing racing racing

Sports betting

eSports

Virtual Poker Casino sports machines

Poker

Keno

Lotto

Instant scratchies

Bingo

Financial Current betting affairs

TV shows

Other novelty events

Loot box

(Source: Australian Gambling Research Centre)

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

AUSTRALASIA 32

regulatory regimes in Australia, the stated objects of the law include containing and controlling the potential of a casino to cause harm to the public interest, and ensuring that the operation of a casino remains free from criminal influence or exploitation. In this context, it is abundantly clear why the public interest is very much front and centre. Crown is under investigation by Australia’s financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, for potential violations of anti-money laundering laws. Matters which arguably concern the public interest that have been raised during the Inquiry include (i) the arrest and conviction of Crown employees in the PRC in 2016 for violation of mainland law, and the apparent governance and communication failings that led to those detentions; (ii) Crown’s business relationship with the Macau junket operator, Suncity and (iii) the role of Crown’s major shareholder in structuring the Board, receiving information not generally available to other shareholders, and engaging in other behavior raising serious concerns about its suitability to remain associated with the company. While a licence revocation would constitute a nuclear option, there are points of difference between Crown’s situation in New South Wales from that in Victoria and Western Australia which may mean the

prospect is not as remote as it may appear. First, Crown made an unsolicited offer to the then government to construct and operate the Barangaroo property; there was no competitive tender. The administration which made the decision to accept the proposal is no longer in power. Secondly, the world has changed since 2014 when the casino licence was granted. The rivers of gold associated with international commission business, including junkets, are not what they were. Thirdly, there is an existing casino operator in New South Wales, Star Entertainment. Does the public interest support two casinos, especially now that Barangaroo’s VIP business model is significantly challenged? Finally, Crown has yet to produce a stream of tax revenue for the government, unlike in Victoria, where it contributes around 5 percent of all its revenue. *David Green is the founder and principal of Newpage Consulting. Prior, David was a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Macau, and later Director of the firm’s gaming practice. He has advised on casino regulation in a number of geographies, including New Zealand, Singapore, Macau and Taiwan.

Australian gambling gains during Covid Australians gambled more during the Covid-19 outbreak, despite a lack of access to venues, with the proportion who gambled four or more times a week increasing from 23 percent to 32 percent, according to the Australian Gambling Research Centre. Horse racing, sports betting, greyhound racing and lotto were the main products that participants gambled on before and during COVID-19. Seventy-nine percent of participants were classified as being at risk of, or already experiencing, gambling-related harm.

J.P. Morgan raises F21 estimates for Crown/Star J.P. Morgan said it has raised its FY21 estimate for Star Entertainment Group’s EBITDA by 10.7 percent due to stronger revenue from Queensland and better margins. However, it has downgraded the stock from overweight to neutral with a price target of A$3.50. For Crown Resorts, the firm has raised its normalized EBITDA forecast by 18.8 percent. That’s mainly due to technical reasons as it reallocated 1H21 closure costs to significant items. It retails a neutral rating with a new price target of $8.10.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 33

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

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More convenience and variety - how 1xBet makes its product even better

high-quality user experience design has become the minimum requirement for large companies that strive to be accessible to all clients. 1xBet is a world-class bookmaker that has earned its reputation due to the convenience of its website and application. The brand’s team constantly analyses and finds opportunities for development in this direction. 1xBet’s innovations are designed to give players a new level of comfort and diversify their leisure time.

The wide range of markets was replenished with unusual sports Nowadays, bookmakers find it difficult to surprise a player with a variety of sports. But, 1xBet was able to excel in this sphere: new, unusual disciplines were added to the 60+ sports already on offer. In live mode, players can now bet on sports such as teqball, mini-handball and klask. Even the names of these disciplines themselves are not familiar to all players, but this just means that 1xBet is a great opportunity, not only to earn money but also to expand your horizons. Tekball, mini-handball and klask are rapidly developing and gaining more and more fans daily. 1xBet decided to support fans of these sports by adding these disciplines to the available markets. Owners of the new iPhone 12 can already enjoy the latest version of the 1xBet app The 1xBet mobile application for iOS is already waiting for the happy owners of the new iPhone 12. The developers have optimised it for iOS 14, the operating system of the latest

smartphone from Apple. Thus, the owners of new iPhones can appreciate maximum speed and convenience. The 1xBet app allows you to quickly place convenient bets or receive notifications of important matches and profitable promotions. It’s what’s needed for people who are frequently on the move. The user-friendly application interface just got better! Any application can be made even more convenient, according to the 1xBet developers. A lot of recent changes have taken the user experience to the next level. The player can customise the design and elements of the app as they like. For example, you can choose the display mode of bet history by selecting an expanded or compact view. 2020 is coming to an end, but 1xBet never thinks about resting. For the New Year holidays, everyone is waiting for gifts. And the best gift that 1xBet can provide is to give players a feeling of celebration along with their product. Big promotions, new markets and pleasant surprises will make this experience even more enjoyable. Get ready for the holidays with 1xBet!

All-in Global

Plug in with All-in for iGaming localization

ll-in Global is making the iGaming localization process easier than ever by providing a range of effortless ways for companies to choose from in order to plug in with the All-in translation system. The language service provider dedicated to the gaming industry has been proudly delivering high-quality content for more than a decade now, and it keeps reinventing itself to keep up with a dynamic world of technological innovations. Recently, they presented their updated technology by way of an entertaining, informative, and interactive video where 4 ribtickling characters explain the up-to-date tech features that are turning the iGaming content localization into a super easy process where All-in bake the entire pie for their clients. To manually upload localized texts is a thing of the past. Clients can now simply get their back-end connected to All-in Global’s translation system and thus turn their content and localization management into a much easier process. They can connect with almost any CMS system, and even get a tailored API integration. Time to wave goodbye to migraine-triggering

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

formatting and files sharing! Additionally, translating a website can be done in a few steps by simply installing and connecting the multilingual WordPress plugin with the All-in server, then selecting the pages that you need translated and, voilà! – a world-class localization squad quickly enters the frame to make the translation process as smooth as possible. There is also the possibility to conveniently transfer files using the Drag & Drop folder in order to reduce the number of exchanged e-mails and increase communication efficiency between clients and Project Managers. If you are closing online deals these days, the phone interpretation service is something you don’t want to miss out on. Many of today’s business meetings occur online, and All-in Global has the perfect 24/7 solution for those scheduled online/telephone calls where you need an interpreter so that everyone attending can understand everything correctly. They will send you a unique dial-in code, and before you know it, an interpreter familiar with your sector’s terms and topics will be available on the line. Now that you know their new tech features,

we recommend their segmented interactive video where you meet these 4 fabulous characters. They will explain humorously and in detail how to plug-in with All-in. Curious about the video? Watch it now at all-in.global/plug-in-with-all-in/ Get in touch at salesteam@all-in.global.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 35 ape

Local partner and professional services

sia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings is a total solutions provider for Electronic Gaming Equipment for land-based casinos in the Macau and other regions in Asia. It has been highly recognized as a market leader for its intelligent products and professional services. Not only does it supply EGEs from countries worldwide, the provision of consultancy

and technical services also accelerates sales, marketing, service and operations for new EGE manufacturers seeking to enter into new markets in Asia, such as Macau, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and some more countries in Asia. The expertise includes, but is not limited to: Regulatory compliance consultancy;

Product/game design and content advisory; Game content localization advisory; Market research and sales consultancy services. “Expertise in localization” is always the key for APE to provide professional consultancy service to those overseas EGE suppliers who want to extend their sales territory into Asian markets. Like most regulated gaming markets in the world, each jurisdiction in Asia has its own regulatory requirements on machines and games. By providing advice on regulatory compliance, obtaining regulatory approvals for games/ machines, APE has successfully distributed, or helped the distribution of all kinds of EGEs to the aforementioned countries and jurisdictions. The products include slots, automated table games (Baccarat, Sic Bo, Roulette). In addition, APE also helps EGE suppliers on product developments by offering consultancy services on cabinet designs, game content localization, UI (user interface) designs, game math, translations, etc. Specialized in land-based gaming product distribution and services, APE continues to extend its footprint into more gaming markets by providing trustworthy products, professional services and 24/7 faithful support to every valued client.

aristocrat

Aristocrat Assists the road to recovery

ristocrat has introduced Aristocrat Assist – a global program designed to help its customers through the journey to recovery. This program was designed to expedite the business rebound of Aristocrat’s customers, helping to ensure swift business continuity so they were ready to reopen their doors to patrons when the time was right. This partnership program focused on ensuring that Aristocrat could assist its customers across the four areas of: Product Assist, Insight Assist, Marketing Assist and Commercial Assist. Throughout the uncertainty, Aristocrat continued to do what it does best – delivering and refining its powerhouse game portfolio. Product Assist showcased a robust longterm roadmap for the years to come, giving confidence to customers that there were options available when they were ready. Aristocrat’s current portfolio is the

strongest it has been as players migrate back to properties throughout Asia. Additionally, Aristocrat has bolstered training material available to its customers’ gaming staff to ensure they are well equipped and educated for their players’ return. In addition, a number of customers partnered with Aristocrat on floor reviews and product placements as part of the Insights Assist module. Central to this was analysing provided data and working within their existing fleet; optimizing their product specifications to draw efficiencies on their floor with zero spend. The Marketing Assist program saw Aristocrat partner with customers across the region, providing promotional executions driving not only product awareness, but also hygiene awareness, as it becomes a focal point for venue operations in a postCOVID world.

Aristocrat understands that ever y customer is different and with Commercial Assist, the company was able to work with customers individually to arrive at flexible commercial solutions attuned with their circumstances and business needs. After the success and warm reception from customers in the first iteration of ‘ Aristocrat Assist’, the company looks forward to continuing to work together to find ways that will ensure a sustainable and exciting future for the industry.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 36 Aruze

Triggering VIPs

rom award-winning, top performing cabinets to powerful, unique gameplay that players love, Aruze has a wide range of exceptional products. Just launched are two new titles for the popular Fu Lai Cai Lai game series, Fu Lai Cai Lai Wild Instant Trigger Reveal and Fu Lai Cai Lai Instant Trigger Wild Destiny. These games are both available on the award-winning Muso Triple-27 cabinet. Fu Lai Cai Lai uses the popular mechanic of a jackpot chance any time you see a wild. If the Jackpot Feature is triggered, players select until a jackpot is awarded. The Instant Trigger feature makes both titles perfect for the VIP market. With Instant Trigger, players can buy directly into the free games feature. In Wild Reveal this will trigger 8 free games with increased wilds on the reels. Wild Destiny players choose their own destiny by selecting the free games series that they find most appealing. The Instant Trigger bet also scales with bet, and maintains Fu Lai Cai Laiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s increased returns for larger bet multipliers. Available on the stunning Muso Curve-43, Fantastic Dragons Gold and Fantastic Dragons Fire have a great mix of gameplay and a gorgeous attract mode. They feature dragons that zoom across the toppers and main screens and a hold and respin feature

that triggers a prize wheel. The highest play option adds extra bonus symbols to trigger a collect feature that can award up to two wheel features. At the end of the collect feature, all credit prizes, bonuses and jackpots displayed on the bonus symbols are awarded.

Astropay

ePayment security

igital wallets provide users with a secure and rapid tool, enabling them to access contactless payments easily. This payment option is increasingly being adopted by users as it provides them with the possibility to have their balance in just one place, avoiding the inconveniences of multiple accounts and payment options. Moreover, e-wallets are considered a much safer method compared to credit and debit cards. According to some investigations a number of factors, which are related to consumer perception about privacy, security and benefits have an important incidence when deciding whether to use this solution. Recently we have launched One Touch, a digital wallet that takes these factors into consideration and offers a variety of benefits: the possibility to identify users from a single code, allowing greater control over the

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

transactions and minimizing risk; the ability to receive deposits with a simple â&#x20AC;&#x153;touchâ&#x20AC;?, with automatic approval for recurring users, which will generate a smoothest interaction between the merchant and its customers; KYC verification and identification control; and a simplified integration process through an auto enrolment channel, with little to no IT intervention required on the merchant side. They also have access to analytics and reports, as well as to fraud alerts that meet the levels of security and compliance that the industry requires. Our extensive experience in managing the specificities of different markets, allows us to offer an efficient solution to all our customers: merchants, end customers and business partners. We are a B2C company that has been operating in different countries for more than 11 years.

The prize wheels may multiply those credit prizes and bonuses up to five times. Building on successful titles and introducing new mechanics, Aruze continues to expand our broad portfolio and push the boundaries of what is expected in game design.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 37 betconstruct

East & West volume 2

ollowing the success of the first edition of the virtual igaming expo East & West, BetConstruct has decided to open the doors of its digital event hosting platform for the industry representatives and aficionados for the second time on December 8-9. Once the worldwide travel ban and social distancing mandate came into force, in the absence of physical events, the software developer pursued ways to stay in touch with the industry and provide an experience close to a real exhibition. In late September, BetConstruct had hosted the first virtual igaming expo on a digital event creation platform PandaMR, a result of months of work before, during and after the lockdown the world faced in the beginning of 2020. Hundreds of stands and thousands of visitors - these figures alone were impressive enough to push the company towards gathering the whole igaming and online sports betting industry again under one virtual roof.

Upon receiving such incredible feedback and genuine excitement from those involved, BetConstruct is set to repeat the success with East & West Expo Vol. 2. The same highly customizable stand options, advertising spaces and digital ads will be available to the companies who would like to exhibit at the event. Thousands of visitors will be able to interact with these brands, investigate

and seek for new deals and partners as well as hold business discussions in the meeting rooms and hear from industry experts at panel talks at the conference hall. The tickets are absolutely free and already available at eastandwest.com website where more and more details about the agenda and the inside events of East & West Expo Vol. 2 will appear.

betradar

Virtually real sporting solutions

ike many other betting products, when it comes to investing in gaming solutions, operators need to ensure they are of a highquality and completely flexible if they want to leverage the prospects that virtual sports can offer. Betradar offers a large selection of virtual

sports and In-Play solutions, available 24/7 and customizable to everyone’s needs, with our virtual sports portfolio ranging from football and basketball to horse and dog-racing. Our virtual sports products are focused on being as close to the real thing as possible.

REALISTIC VIRTUAL SPORTS BUILT FOR 24/7 BETTING Try out our online demo at betradar.com

Built on the back of actual match data and featuring real competition mechanics, our Gaming Solutions allow your customers to place bets like they do on real sports – anywhere, anytime. Our entire Gaming portfolio is now available with one integration via our Remote Game Server – a new and robust solution that lets you have all sports and competition modes, present and future, with just one integration.

Available sports:

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To make this happen, we base our products on our market-leading database coupled with video motion capture technology used for leading video games. Our deep and robust datasets are gained from 20 years in the industry and having exclusive data partnerships with some of the sport’s biggest properties. This results in extraordinary levels of realism. Such realism lets punters enjoy the same experience from our Gaming solutions like the one they have from live action sport. Operators are empowered to choose what they want to focus on – including videos, odds, statistics centre, competition rosters, and more. The Betradar In-Play Virtuals offering allows the placing of live bets on full continuous matches at any time and has been optimised for punters who like to bet on form and momentum. In 2020, we are offering Baseball and Tennis options, with other sports in the pipeline. We are the fastest growing virtual sports supplier in the industry, delivering services to more than 180 customers. Our Gaming portfolio is present across more than 500 websites and 10,000 retail outlets. Distribution channels include mobile, online and in-venue, including terminals.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 38 BMM

Long-established testing

MM is the longest established and most experienced private independent gaming certification lab in the world, providing professional technical and regulator y compliance services to the gaming industry since 1981. At its core, BMM is a systems-expert company that has provided consulting for and tested many of the largest gaming networks and systems over the last 38 years. In addition, BMM has been successfully testing and certifying the full scope of Class III casino products for over two decades. BMM authored the first set of independent gaming standards in 1992 and the first set of online gaming standards in 2001.

BMM employs some 400 people in 13 global locations and serves over 460 jurisdictions. BMM’s world headquarters are in Las Vegas (USA) with offices in Moncton (Canada), Lima (Peru), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Barcelona

(Spain), Bologna (Italy), Krakow (Poland), Bucharest (Romania), Midrand (South Africa), Melbourne and Sydney (Australia), Macau (SAR, China) and Singapore. For more information on BMM Testlabs, please visit bmm.com

Colossus Bets

Sports betting but BIGGER

olossus Bets is the multi-award-winning operator and provider of global sports pools. The company’s portfolio currently covers European football, NBA, NFL, NHL, tennis, darts, horse racing, greyhounds and esports with a wide range of bet types. Their

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

latest release, Match Predictor pools, brings Colossus’ popular multi-leg jackpot format to single events - a market first, with the first phase of the launch focusing on high profile football matches on the weekly calendar. Colossus jackpots are today available in

at least 30 currencies and 25 languages and have received bets from players in over 100 countries since inception. With an international B2B distribution network joined by the likes of bet365, Betway Africa, Mr Green and Paf, Colossus’ lottery-size prize guarantees, legby-leg Cash Out, Syndicates ‘crowdbetting’ and FreePlay features are hardly news. They are nonetheless essential features of the modern jackpot user experience - not to mention the over 80 million bets processed and £160 million paid out in prizes and Cash Outs to date. C olossus also holds an extensive patent portfolio in relation to its Cash Out functionality. In 2019, the company entered its first patent licence agreement with bet365 in the US so IP protection in what is currently the most talked-about growth market is another topic to pick up with the Colossus team. Last but not least, Colossus takes a strong stance on corporate citizenship. The company’s explicit mission is to amplify the sports fan experience with a product ethos that emphasises responsibility towards its customers, engagement driven by top quality sports content and organic, social interaction within the sports fan communities. Colossus’ official charity scheme, Conscious Colossus, supports charities in the areas of sports, racing, gambling education and broader community with funding, volunteering and awareness initiatives.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 39 Dallmeier

Dallmeier “CAT” helps keep players loyal

apturing data from table games such as Baccarat or Blackjack is quite difficult compared to digitalized systems like slot machines. However accurate data is paramount in any casino loyalty program: Players need to be treated fairly and fraud and overpaying needs to be kept in check. The combination of AI-based analytics techniques and video technology offers promising solutions for casinos to track table games and rate players accurately. Automated and informed table management is an essential component for risk mitigation, business intelligence and fraud protection. For this, “Table gaming automation” systems based on video technology and AI – like Dallmeier’s Casino Automation Technology (CAT) –continuously monitor and analyse games and table performance, provide data on bet position and bet frequency and performs fraud probability tests. Furthermore, such systems facilitate the precise detection and analysis of all the relevant KPIs for the table management such as game pace information, yield management with gaming floor table data or occupancy/utilization ratio to name just a few. One of the most profit-optimizing benefits of such technology is solving some of the inherent challenges in today´s loyalty programs. One of them is the lack of accuracy: Expenses and stakes are often inaccurately or not at all assigned to the player when the dealer is manually crediting the turnover. Dallmeier’s CAT AI-based recognition

of chip values allows the automatic capture and allocation of the number of hands played and the average value of bets placed, for example. The result is a real-time, in-depth analysis based on stack value, pay-outs and buy-ins as well as monitoring of chip collection. This data

allows the casino operators to attain a thorough understanding of the players’ behaviour and activities, helping to determine the value of the players, increase accuracy of loyalty programs and eventually increase efficiency and profitability of casino operations.

DRGT

Cashless gaming: Is it now more relevant than ever?

ur view is that the progression to cashless is both logical and inevitable; notwithstanding which, in specific relation to the current global pandemic, as long as we all utilise our best endeavours to mitigate the

spread of the coronavirus, both cashless, and cash gaming, will no doubt continue side-byside for some time to come. Whilst almost all operators advocate cashless wholeheartedly, based not only on the increased security associated thereto and the convenience thereof for both themselves and their players, they also unequivocally recognise the importance of their ability to better track and assign game play data to specific players; in so doing providing them with the tools to tailor relevant and compelling value offerings that appropriately reward players, and in turn drive their loyalty. The move to cashless also makes commercial sense; whilst the initial cost to issue RFID cards may seem prohibitive, we estimate that once +-100 TITO tickets have been printed, an RFID card has paid for itself. Additional savings include the reduction of expenses related to ticket acceptors and printers; as well as the actual handling of cash

and the elimination of the associated hardware required to ‘use’ that cash. Consumer-centricity and cost-effectiveness though are not mutually exclusive, and it is here where we believe our technology sets us apart. Our patented drSMIBs to which all EGMs, Tables, Cash Desks, etc. are connected ensure that costly servers are no longer required and that all changeovers are quick and ‘painless’ and undertaken with no pre-installation disruptions. It also ensures unparalleled data redundancy and transactional security, as when any changes are made, all information is automatically synchronised with all other networked drSMIBs. Additionally, there is a benefit fromcentralised ticket printer and/or bill validator software downloads; and multi-currency functionality for both slots and table players to ‘buy in’, play, and cash out in their currency of choice at real-time exchange rates.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 40 EveryMatrix

BonusEngine: Unlimited rewards for players and operators

onusEngine, the newly relaunched casino and sports bonus solution from EveryMatrix, puts forward an intriguing promise: unlimited rewards to boost player acquisition, retention and reactivation while reducing the operational burden and costs for operators. BonusEngine comes packed with plenty of bonus types and features. Operators can now leverage the full potential of cross-product bonusing and ramp up the game by combining and stacking casino and sports bonuses in different ways, setting dependencies between bonuses to design engaging promotion campaigns. Be it sport, casino or both, players can enjoy unlimited bonuses at the same time, with no game play interruption. Multi-triggers that allow precise player targeting also come into the spotlight. For instance, a specific trigger or sets of triggers can activate one bonus, just as well as the same trigger can switch on bundled rewards. It follows that all these need detailed reporting for thorough analyses, and BonusEngine manages to tick this requirement as well. Created to act as a single point for managing

player acquisition, retention and engagement across all the brands and verticals of an operator, BonusEngine delivers simplicity of use. From campaign recurrence to cost management, automation is how the bonus system seeks to optimize operational tasks while increasing the profitability. A full picture of iGaming bonuses is

Delasport

GLI

High-end technology solutions

elasport is the high-end technology iGaming solution provider. The renowned Delasport Sportsbook and Casino Platform is an excellent solution for existing operators or as a stand-alone option. It offers a vast range of betting options with thousands of sports markets, a highly effective risk management system, comprehensive backend capabilities and much more. Complete mobile functionality is ensured for full scope player engagement and higher conversion rates. With high-end technology capabilities and an in-depth understanding of the business, Delasport is the logical choice to enter into a fast-paced industry such as sports betting.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

incomplete without addressing the players, and BonusEngine also caters well to this audience. It ramps up the customer experience, by allowing seamless usage of different bonus and real-money wallets, and by amplifying the excitement with many gamification tools such as tournaments, challenges, or missionbased achievements.

Remote Test Beds

aming Laboratories International is the world leader in land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services. GLI provides suppliers, operators, and regulators with expert guidance for navigating the future of gaming and ensuring gaming innovations meet regulatory standards with confidence. GLI is the only lab working with all regulated jurisdictions worldwide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both existing and emerging. The company holds U.S. and international accreditations for compliance with ISO/IEC standards for technical competence in the gaming, wagering, and lottery industries. GLI is constantly thinking of ways to improve time to market and reduce costs for its customers. One such potential expense for suppliers is sending multiple cabinets to a GLI lab. To help, GLIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engineers developed its Remote Test Bed solution that uses modern technology to further reduce supplier costs, enhance regulatory compliance, and speed time to market. Remote Test Beds use GLIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network to test and monitor devices remotely. The solution allows GLI to securely access test environments connected to physical cabinets and perform all

needed regulatory testing, observing, and recording actual test outcomes via webcam. This allows suppliers to ship a limited quantity of devices to their nearest lab that the entire GLI network of labs can then access, further speeding testing time and reducing supplier costs. By accessing test environments remotely from all its global locations, GLI can increase the daily test time on a cabinet, decrease the test cycle, and avoid multiple cabinet costs and/or cabinet shipping costs. With Remote Test Beds, suppliers benefit with reduced costs and improved time to market, even when remote work is mandated. Regulators benefit by being assured that the highest levels of compliance are maintained. Operators benefit by reduced testing times that speed new products to market for their players to enjoy.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 41 G&D currency

Moving forward – to the next level of efficiency

he BPS C5 from G+D Currency Technology precisely fulfills banknote processing requirements for count room, with outstanding efficiency, flexibility, and user-friendliness. It is a modular, scalable system that fulfills all process requirements with the greatest reliability, efficiency, and user friendliness. A high nominal throughput of up to 63,000 banknotes per hour, an exceptionally flexible modular concept, stateof-the-art, framework-compliant sensors, and a multitude of software options combine to offer significant competitive advantages. Used in conjunction with casino count room dedicated software BPS Connect Casino, it makes the entire operation more transparent, secure, and efficient. It is suitable for all substrates including paper, hybrid, polymer and also for casino tickets. With its high number of output stackers, it supports

multiple and even complex sorting requirements. The system is extremely easy to use, sustainably facilitating the necessary throughput and efficiency. The modular and scalable system can be equipped with up to 6 Standard Delivery Modules (SDM). Each SDM contains 4 output stackers for up to 250 banknotes. Up to 50 different operation modes can be defined per currency and they are easy to choose for the operator. The BPS C5 supports one-step processes with header cards. G+D has played a significant role in advancing the development of banknotes since 1852 – and always with the aim of offering our customers a crucial advantage. We are now an end-to-end provider for the whole cash cycle, and have unique and thorough expertise in each application area: from counterfeit-proof banknote design and highly efficient banknote

processing, to reliable banknote destruction. This extensive knowledge is incorporated into everything we do for our customers. Let’s shape the future of the cash cycle together!

Habanero

Busy times and more to come

t’s been a busy period for our industry, and Habanero is proud to have worked at the cutting-edge of these exciting changes. We were among the first to go live in Germany, launching our acclaimed real-money games catalogue with Löwen Play on the day that the market’s new regulatory framework came into effect. We’re delighted to be introducing German-based players to our renowned realmoney portfolio, particularly given the success

enjoyed by our social casino offering, which launched in the territory earlier this year. Further to the south in Europe, we’ve also extended our ever-growing Italian reach by partnering with Aresway, a platform provider servicing some of the country’s biggest retail and online operators. Years after entering the market, classic Habanero hits such as Wild Trucks and Egyptian Dreams remain impressively popular among players based in the country – proving

themselves as perennial favourites. Both titles have continued to drive player engagement for our operator clients, and are now supplemented by our more recent release, Scopa. Unveiled in the summer of 2020, the slot has stunned gamblers from across the globe with immersive visual effects drawing on proud Italian traditions. A high-tech title with a timeless fruit-theme, Jump! is another game showcasing nostalgic characters and symbols underpinned by advanced maths models. That combination has proved a winner in Italy and beyond, demonstrated by the cultish following which the slot has amassed. Habanero games also draw on icons from the other side of the Atlantic, reflected in our most recent release, Taberna De Los Muertos, a 5x3 slot inviting seasoned partygoers to celebrate the proud Mexican tradition of Día De Los Muertos. The game takes rambunctious bettors to the Taberna De Los Muertos, a spooky tavern serving up a mouth-watering menu of local delicacies and unearthly prizes. Displaying our engaging new Line Boost feature which enables gamblers to unlock up to 101 lines, the title will continue to delight the legion of Latin American fans we have attracted following partnerships with the likes of Rush Street, Codere and Salsa Technologies. It’s been an exciting couple of weeks, and with November now starting, we’re sure we’ll have plenty more to announce soon enough!

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 42 High 5 Games

High 5 Games releases a galactic new space-themed slot, Cosmic Heart

olliding stars create a universe of prizes in High 5 Games newest release. Players can use the brand new Prize Line feature to orbit space until they find their cosmic win! Joining its extensive range of game themes, the latest release to the company’s library is an outer-worldly journey, loaded with a universe of features. The new galactic-themed slot game

takes players on a cosmic experience to activate different ways to win with the Prize Line. Above the 5x5 reels is a belt of special feature symbols known as the Prize Line. At the start of each bet, the Prize Line symbols will orbit left, cycling the prizes around. When a Cosmic Heart symbol lands on the reels, the Prize Line symbol above the Cosmic Heart will activate, creating a

greater chance of a reward. The Prize Line features chances to receive multipliers, free credits, a Pick Bonus, a Free Games Bonus, and wilds. Cosmic Heart’s Prize Line feature is unlike any other game feature in the H5G portfolio. The game will launch on High 5 Casino for real money and social play starting on Thursday, October 15th, and will be globally available on to H5G’s entire network of partnering operators through the supplier’s gaming platform, VAULT, on Tuesday, October 27th. “We’ve designed Cosmic Heart to be a game that takes player anticipation to new heights,” said Phil Welty, Head of Game Design at High 5 Games. “The Prize Line above the reels displays a large rotating assortment of exciting features, which can each be won by landing a heart symbol on the corresponding reel. These features persist for multiple spins and can scale up to huge potential values, putting the prospect of winning big front and center for the player for extended periods of time. We’re very excited for players to finally get the chance to experience all of the variety and excitement we’ve packed into this game!”

board, allowing Baccarat players to play a single game or two games at once, or as single hand and Multihand Blackjack. The all-time favourite game roulette is available as a fully automated UC Roulette with a 0 & 00 mechanical wheel and ball display.

Synchronised light and sound, coupled with an instantaneous start and stop game bash buttons, allows for fast-paced gaming, more games per hour, more anticipation and user experience. The game software and mechanical RNG are fully certified.

Interblock

Fast-paced gaming

niversal Cabinets (UCs) are Interblock’s latest line up of innovative products. The UCs are a unique type of gaming machine, designed with configuration flexibility and personalised experience, to complement the gaming floor with a stand-alone version of Interblock’s Electronic Table Games (ETG). The main difference from the G5 Diamond ETG product range is that every UC has either an electro-mechanical RNG (real dice for Craps/ Sic Bo) topper, or a mechanical display of video (Roulette, Baccarat and Blackjack) topper. “The unique design of the UC allows quick and easy game conversion by simply replacing the topper with the desired game topper. It is fast-paced gaming which translates to more games per hour,” said Michael Hu, president of Asia for Interblock. Other features include large bash buttons on top and on the sides of the armrests allowing Sic Bo/Craps players to activate the dice shaker with six levels of intensity, thus adding luck to the roll of the dice. The flip flop card display on Baccarat/ Punto-Banco/Dai Bacc and Blackjack is available as a single or double-decker, each with its trend

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 43 Isle of Man

Safe and stable jurisdiction

s we rapidly approach the oneyear mark, COVID-19 continues to affect nearly every aspect of our lives – both in business and at home and it’s still too soon to predict what the long term effects will be, and how the online gambling sector will look once we come out the other side. What is clear, is that behaviours, practices and ways of working have changed in order to make operations more resilient during tough times and find ways to evolve and grow. While gambling businesses have proved that operations can be run remotely, it’s far from ideal and being located in a safe and stable jurisdiction where they have the freedom to run their business in a way that works for them is essential. While businesses have had to learn to operate a flexible working policy and found it beneficial to reduce office overheads, having the option to bring teams together face-to-face, as well as online, is the best of both worlds. Reputable licensing is also more important than ever as operators seek security in these uncertain times; and being licensed with a regulator that understands and embraces emerging products and the importance of player protection is crucial. The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission is known for its goldstandard regulation and, as part of its responsible gambling strategy, is working with the Island’s gambling sector to proactively create the first globally facing point of supply and evidence based, safer gambling code of conduct. Globally we are not over the virus yet, however, the Isle of Man currently has no active community cases of COVID-19 and is benefitting from no social distancing measures, the local Government continues to be committed to protecting the digital ecosystem, and supporting it to recover and grow. Indeed, the motto behind the three legs symbol on the Manx flag translates to “whichever way you throw it, it will stand.”

Jade

Ainsworth and Jade ink distribution accord

insworth Game Technology and Jade Entertainment have entered into an agreement to distribute Ainsworth Products to the Philippines, Vietnam and Nepal. Ainsworth and Jade will introduce the impressive new A-STAR cabinet to the market, which incorporates Ainsworth’s experience and extensive knowledge of the industry, into an exciting new product for its customers. The A-STAR takes Ainsworth to next level with a meticulously crafted cabinet that encompasses a sleek modular design, spectacular new curved and dual screen format, dynamic LED lighting, and a state-of-the-art LCD touchscreen button deck. Whilst focus for the development of this cabinet was on supreme engineering and bestin-class reliability, the A-STAR will launch with a comprehensive library of new game titles – including the proven Multi Games brand that continues to evolve internationally, displaying exceptional performance throughout gaming venues. The A-STAR game portfolio includes a wide variety of core and standalone progressive titles, as well as an exceptional line of new link progressives designed with the player in mind, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the market through our vast, specially developed product range and successful long-term content. Ainsworth continues to develop its presence with comprehensive proven product offerings that deliver entertaining content to players. The new A-STAR cabinet configurations; both Dual Screen and Curve, flaunt a unique and elegant design that integrates effortlessly with any casino décor.

This all-new, minimalist line of cabinets takes design to a whole new level with an ultra- thin form factor, providing genuine space integration and an element of futuristic luxury, elevating their surroundings with stellar picture quality and newly added gaming features. Jade is excited to work with the team at Ainsworth to grow the market presence in the Philippines, Vietnam and Nepal.

igt

IGT offers cashless Advantage

espite Macau having no new cases for the past seven months - which makes Macau one of the safest places for people to visit, health and safety is still top-of-mind for casino operators and players. And with IGT’s ADVANTAGE casino management system, it offers a cashless gaming environment with innovative bonusing features that enable casinos to generate greater profits and manage their gaming floors more effectively. Also a reduction in cash handling lowers costs and risk while providing a safer environment for staff and customers. Given the current situation with COVID, IGT has also adapted our games roadmap to the current environment to focus on the best

performing games that players enjoy – driving higher player visitation and revenues. Of course, one of our best performing games is Ying Cai Shen and the rollout of this product is continuing across the region. With its frequent free games trigger and gigantic-wins, plus multi-denominations, jackpot start-up / cost to cover options it’s the ultimate game for players and operators. For more information, please visit www. igt.com.au

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 44 JCM

Full visibility for operators

hen JCM Global introduced its FUZION technology, it sparked a revolution in casino peripheral management. Now GLI-certified, FUZION is an awardwinning breakthrough that, when paired with JCM’s iVIZION bill validator and GEN5 Thermal Printer, provides information to operators that is not available with any other system.

FUZION continually monitors every peripheral device in each EGM in real time to help keep the casino running at peak efficiency and guard against suspicious activity. For example, with FUZION, finance and security can track asset to transaction with available high-resolution images of each note or ticket inserted into the EGM. FUZION increases uptime and revenues with

konami

All Aboard with Konami

onami Australia is releasing the All Aboard series of video slots, with a single-level linked progressive and four static bonus awards, and also Ba Fang Jin Bao to Asia. Both new progressive games series are highly volatile and compatible with Concerto Stack - the single-screen format cabinet which includes a captivating 43-inch HD vertical display, enhanced 4K graphics and signature Concerto highlight. Konami releases Asian theme games Ba Fang Jin Bao, offering a four-level progressive with familiar three pick-and-match three symbols feature to win a progressive. The Ba Fang Jin Bao series has two titles: Fortune Totems (pictured) and Abundant Fortune. The Western/ Locomotive theme - All Aboard series. All Aboard is a one-level progressive game offering in both standalone and progressive jackpot with four fixed amount bonuses. It is a multi-denomination product with scalable bonus prizes which is determined by

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

the denomination selected as well as bet level. All Aboard has taken the Hold ‘n’ Respin Feature to a whole new level with its Repeat Win trigger during the popular All Aboard Feature. It is triggered by six or more scattered train symbols landing on screen. When the feature is triggered, all the train symbols transform into credit awards. After the win is registered, the credit awards remain in place on the reel array and all other spots become independent reels, re-spinning for three free spins. Each time an additional train symbol lands, it reveals a new credit award, and all of the credits on the board are awarded again. All Aboard has been released with two base games - Dynamite Dash (pictured) and Piggy Pennies. Currently, there are over 5,000 All Aboard games installed across Australia and New Zealand in the last two years and the games have recently launched in North America and have already received a great response from the market.

its dynamic real-time monitoring of iVIZION and GEN5. This allows FUZION to proactively notify the operator for predictive e-drops and TITO ticket fills, instead of operators acting responsively to an EGM out-of-service notification. Perfect for today’s world, the iTITO module of FUZION enables operators to offer contactless payment technology for their players who want a mobile transaction option. FUZION uses TITO as a base – a technology regulators, operators, and players are comfortable with – and uses NFC technology – a technology banks and FinTech companies worldwide are comfortable with. That means gaming regulators can view the iTITO solution as a familiar, secure option. Using their own mobile device, a player can virtualize a TITO ticket and securely transfer those funds from their mobile wallet to an EGM for game play. It’s all powered by JCM’s Mobile I/O NFC (near field communication) technology, a proven, reliable, and secure technology solution. Driven by FUZION technology, JCM solutions are involved in every aspect of the casino: audit, count room, entertainment, F&B, marketing, race and sports, security, slot operations, surveillance, table games – giving operators intelligence, security, and interconnected transactions no other supplier can provide.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 45 Kroll Enviro Asia Limited

ORCA brings green solution to food waste

roll Enviro Asia limited is a Macau based environmental company, introducing world class environmental products to Asia. Partners and Directors, Chris Rogers and Shaun Kroll have combined to bring Mr Rogers’ understanding of the Asian market, together with Mr Kroll’s knowledge of environmental solutions and technologies to successfully implement the companies leading product

“ORCA” into Macau and the Philippines. Orca is the leading food digesting system in the world with successful installations in many leading F&B and hospitality venues globally. ORCA uses mostly air, along with water and microbiology to turn your food waste into an environmentally safe liquid that goes down the drain and is disposed of using the existing sanitary sewer infrastructure.

Commercial food operation is a resourceintense undertaking and Kroll Enviro Asia has an opportunity to provide a cost-effective solution to lower the environmental impact of culinary programs. ORCA helps organizations avoid emitting both methane and carbon dioxide by recycling on-site. MGM Macau was the first operator in Macau to install an Orca OG100 in late 2019. The ORCA OG100 is capable of reducing up to 50kg of food each hour with astounding results. MGM has diverted over 9.75 tons of food waste from landfill over the last three months. MGM Executive Chef Jerome Deconinck, “We have had excellent results, ORCA is a must have in any operation.” Outside of MGM, Orca’s have been installed in Galaxy Cotai, Ikea Taipa and our largest install of Orca’s will be implemented on site of the Grand Lisboa Palace complex by the end of 2020. Kroll Enviro Asia are looking forward to continuing to deliver world class food waste digesting technology and other environmental services to Asia. For more information on Orca please contact Chris Rogers – crogers@krollenviro.com

LT Game

LT Game launches cutting edge slot games

T Game has launched its new gaming cabinet, with a unique bingo jackpot that allows players to control the gaming speed and enjoy the excitement of both slot and interactive games. The FAFA SLOT RGX 1000 has real moving objects and introduces a fascinating story line, with exquisite animations. The game titles include “Fortune monkey,” “GOD of the SEA,” “Rank up Dragon,” “Fortune Master” and “Savannah King,” which feature diversified cultures and story backgrounds. Splendid visual effects of LED objects falling down will surprise and excite game players. Shutter doors interlocking with enhanced visual effects will introduce players to a new and exciting world. This unique game play screen movement is directly linked to players’ win. All these game titles can be linked to a progressive jackpot – BINGO Jackpot. Another brand-new LT Slot Game -

“TEKKEN” series has also hit the market. Being a famous Japanese media franchise, TEKKEN, or Iron Fist in Japanese, is centered on a series of fighting video and arcade games, which have been very popular with players for decades. The game titles include “HEIHACHI”, “ASKUA” and “PANDA”. In addition, LT Game’s new slot cabinet LTS1, which launched in the US in 2019, also made its first appearance in Macau this year. New game titles such as “YuGongYiShan,” “WuFuQiTian” and “FuGuiDiZhu” are specially designed to cater to a bigger range of slot players. For example, “FuGuiDiZhu” adopts the theme of the most popular card game, “Fight the Landlord” in China. “Bowl of Gold”, introducing a Chinese culture-themed progressive link, has 5 levels of progressive and pick progressive features. The game is tailor made for Asian players and is engaging with unique features which brings the players more excitement than ever.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 46 Novomatic

Dancing Tiger & Dancing Lantern

he latest game releases for the NOVO LINE Interactive platform add two special Asian highlights to the broad NOVOMATIC game portfolio. Dancing Tiger and Dancing Lantern present colourful variations of the popular ALLPAY game play and exciting jackpot thrills. The central character on both titles is the benevolent Asian Emperor. He is a cheery ol’fellow and acts as the keeper of a marvellous bowl full of gold coins and jackpot treasures. Depending on the game theme, either three or more Lanterns or, respectively, Tigers trigger a Free Games feature that has players faced with a strategic choice: Opt for 15 free spins on a standard 5x3 reel layout or three free spins on a 5x6 reel layout? Or something in between? Maybe go for the Mystery Pick that will grant a random combination of free spin and reel

layout options? Up to 15 free spins on the maximized 5x6 layout are possible. Meanwhile, any Wild could also trigger the Pick & Win Jackpot Feature – any 3 matching symbols out of 15 award the respective fixed SILVER or GOLD jackpots or the MAJOR or GRAND Standalone Progressives. This parade of Asian good luck charms is available for the complete range of NOVOMATIC upright curve cabinets and adds a Wild Jackpot attraction on the gaming floor. These latest releases are part of the broad NOVOMATIC product suite for the Asian region comprising leading slot machines, market-focused games and multi-game editions, ETGs, casino management and media systems, Linked Progressives as well as sports betting solutions – all available via Ainsworth, acting as a sales and service unit for NOVOMATIC products in Asia-Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand.

Play n Go

MORE doesn’t just mean more games…

he idea of More. In One GO was rooted in the idea of giving our partners more in ALL areas. We are not just increasing the number of games that we release but delivering more quality, more innovation and more ways for their audiences to enjoy gaming. Whenever we approach a game, we always try to add something innovative, a little something extra. Many people believe that ‘innovative’ and ‘new’ are interchangeable, but that is not the case. Sometimes innovation is an improvement or an alternative to what you already have. For instance, Charlie Chance in Hell to Pay is a traditional slot reminiscent of classic UK style fruit machine gaming. But, we also added some other elements to modernise and create a different experience, including a feature board, overlay scatters and various bonus features. While none of these were new concepts to the industry, bringing them together in this manner formed a creative title that merged classic and modern gaming to create something different. When creating our latest title 24K Dragon we once again set about to make a title that will stand out and give players something to enjoy. The first factor in this was the visual aspect of the game. With an impressive dragon and bright glittering treasure we knew this title had to be eye-catching. That is why we employed

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

the use of detailed animation and aspects of 3D to bring out the graphical quality of the game’s narrative and design. The grandness and magnitude of the titular character is also reflected in the free spins feature, where the central reels will expand to

create even more payways; increasing them from 1,028 all the way up to 8,192. The game gives plenty of opportunities for players to enjoy themselves and have a productive session, all the ingredients for a successful title.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 47 RGB

Fast and reliable support

acked by over 30 years of extensive experience, RGB has positioned itself as one of the leading integrated gaming solutions providers to the Asian gaming industry. We are primarily focused on sales and marketing, as well as manufacturing of electronic gaming machines, systems and equipment; Electronic gaming machine concession, technical support and management; technical solutions, systems integration, preventive maintenance and expert engineering services for electronic gaming machines, systems and equipment

With a workforce of more than 300 employees and a solid network of business operations, repair hubs and warehouses in all major gaming regions in Asia, our partners and customers have dedicated access to fast and reliable support to ensure the continued performance and profitability of their respective properties. More importantly, at RGB, we fully understand that the operational requirements at every gaming property are unique. Our end to end services and solutions can therefore be distinctly tailored to the needs and opportunities of the individual property.

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

RGB

Creating the trends

Pantone

Red Green Blue

Sega Sammy

ega Sammy is excited to announce two new games to its Standalone ETG “Maximum Fortune” series: “Roulette Maximum Fortune” and “Sic-Bo Maximum Fortune”. This series offers a proven game concept, in which

Talk to us to learn more on how we can work with you to bring the performance of your unique gaming property to the next level.

Websafe

RAL Applicationfilm

players can create their own game history and game trends. This feature appeals to all players, including the ever-important highaverage bet player. Our first game “Baccarat Maximum Fortune” has been a consistently

strong performer in all its initial installations. The “Maximum Fortune” series features the “Quick Result Display” function that allows players to quickly see game results without actually placing a bet. This enables players to advance the game history trend until the desirable results appear. This unique game function offers a completely new way of playing these ever-popular casino games. The players actually can create the game history then bet big when they feel lucky. This function is also a new solution to an age-old table games issue that players tend to leave the table or do not bet at all when the trend is not to their liking. Other features include: clear and detailed game history with four modes - Roulette & Sic-Bo; Spinning the wheel with win amounts displayed on the pockets- Roulette; Odds up Sic-Bo; Reveal Dice function - Sic-Bo, where players can remove the covers from each die from left to right after betting. It provides players the same excitement as squeezing cards in Baccarat. “Standalone ETGs are in high demand across the world as COVID-19 influences how people behave and play,” said Masahiro Kurosaki, managing director at SEGA SAMMY CREATION. “Player preferences are shifting to ETGs from table games to keeping physical distancing with other players. Although we are facing difficult times, we are happy to support our gaming operators with our unique ETG series, which enables them to utilize its whole range of flexibility, and configurability on their gaming floors, so that all their players can enjoy it’s unique functions”.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 48 SG

Changing the game

ith Tournaments Express, you can turn any slot machine on your floor – no matter its manufacturer or slot-management system – into a tournament machine within moments. As soon as the tournament ends, you can easily switch the games back into revenue-generating mode to make the best use of your casino floor. Using a PC or tablet, Tournaments Express enables you to quickly change your slot cabinets into tournament games within seconds, even if you don’t use a Scientific Games Systems product on your floor. Your Tournaments Express game suite includes a variety of tournaments that players love – free play, invite-only, buy-in, multi-round, group-start sessions, or play-as-youcome – including Hot Shot, Quick Hits 3-Reel, Quick Hits 5-Reel, Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Double Double Bonus, World of Fortunes. Game Pack 3 includes the following games: Monopoly Millionaire Tournament, Jackpot Party, Quick Hit Mania, Jin Ji Bao Xi. Best of all, Tournaments Express is a complete package that includes an interactive kiosk that allows players to self-register and view their results, freeing up casino staff. Tournaments

Express also includes an immersive CoolSign overhead display that shows scores and results in real-time for players, creating an exciting atmosphere for competition.

With automated enrollment and scoring, and absolutely no impact on machine accounting, Tournaments Express is the ultimate gamechanger for any casino floor!

SimplePlay

Brilliant strategists and brave soldiers

implePlay has launched its slot game of the year, “Shu Dynasty,” which combines three different slot games into one large game. It is a 5-reel slot with 324 to 576 ways to win. It features three different scenes with different reel patterns and ways to win. The story is based on the Three Kingdoms

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

Period in ancient China. The heroes from Shu Kingdom strived to revive the old Han Empire. With strong leadership, mighty generals, brilliant strategists, and brave soldiers, the heroes of Shu Kingdom were determined to face all possible challenges and danger along the way to victory. Scene 1 features Zhuge Liang, who has been

considered one of the all-time best strategists of China. The game is a 3-4-4-4-3-reel slot, with 576 ways to win. It features an Extra Reel Wild, where 1 or 2 reels will be randomly filled with Wild Symbols vertically. Scene 2 features Zhang Fei, one of the most fearsome fighters that time. The game is a 4-3-3-3-4-reel slot, with 432 ways to win. It features a Bomb Wild, where a Bomb Symbol would appear randomly on one of the nine positions. Scene 3 features Guan Yu, one of the most respected generals of Chinese history. The game is a 3-3-4-3-3-reel slot, with 324 ways to win. It features an Extra Reel Wild, where up to 7 symbols would be placed randomly on the reels! All three scenes come with a Free Game Feature, where reels extend and additional rows are added to the reels. This allows players to play a maximum of 2,000 ways! “Shu Dynasty” is also taking care of mobile users by supporting display in portrait and landscape orientations. Players can enjoy playing the way they like! Defend “Shu Dynasty” and defeat enemies now!

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 49 SUZOHAPP

SUZOHAPP’s vision for vision

ith the shift towards digital signage and animations taking the center stage at casinos, along with the progress that’s been made in both slot machines and video table games, monitors have become a huge part of how effectively a casino can portray its brand.

To that end, the appeal of monitors to the new generation of players lies in how well they grab your attention. Monitors need to be high resolution using technologies like Ultra HD and 4K, and high contrast which then also raises the issues of processing power and heat management.

It is a delicate balance to reach these ideal levels without incurring too high of a production cost that then gets reflected onto the customer. To go along with this idea of grabbing attention, unique designs and sizes are also important for casinos so they can stand apart from their competition. The VisionPro line from SUZOHAPP is ideal for garnering attention. With a 4K and Ultra HD offering, our graphics capabilities are top of the line. Our optional LED framing gives operators a way to pack that extra punch to really excite and draw in the customer. Additionally, many of our lines are fully customizable. We can work with operators to design monitors to fit their specific needs and offer new design ideas to get the innovation process started. At ICE this year, for example, we premiered our circular monitors which serve as a great introduction to the capabilities of our design team. As our team is constantly innovating, it is easy for us to react quickly to specific customer needs and designs allowing for customers to get what they need right away.

Synergy Blue

Arcade Fun on the casino floor

hether it’s zapping zombies or racing friends to the jackpot, the premier provider of ‘fun you can bet on’ has something for every type of gamer and gambler. Synergy Blue recently announced four exciting new game titles, including their firstever traditional slot and first stand-alone & bank progressive. These new games transform casino floors into purveyors of arcade fun with the perfect blend of interactivity, engagement and chance-based wagering — giving casino operators and their guests plenty of fun to choose from. New titles include: Blizzard Blast. Match and blast arctic characters for a chance to win a blizzard of cash in this cool new game! Play your way through 200 icy arctic levels of frosty fun in the company’s first stand-alone & bank progressive game. Royal Dragon Saga; Big wins await those who fortune favors in Synergy Blue’s first-ever spin on a not-so-traditional slot! The perfect addition to any bar top and multi-game package. Zombie Heat; Trap and zap toxic zombies in this spooktacular tower defense game. With 10 whimsical worlds to choose from, players

will never fight the same battle twice. Joyride Jackpot; Realistic racing action is sure to get your heart pumping! Players can race solo or compete against friends to collect coins and climb the leaderboard in the most advanced hybrid gambling experience yet. Synergy Blue works with Jade Entertainment Solutions to deliver ‘fun you can bet on’ to the Asia

Pacific and the surrounding areas, working with operators to determine which arcade gambling experiences best fit their unique players. The new 2600 cabinet series is one of Synergy Blue’s many offerings delivered by Jade. With a library of skill-influenced games, the 2600 provides the excitement today’s players expect and brings the arcade experience straight to casinos.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 50 Suncity Group

Striving for five-star entertainment

uncity Group was founded in 2007 and since its establishment, it has been striving to provide an extraordinary VIP entertainment service for our guests. We opened a number of VIP Clubs in various 6-star hotels and resorts throughout Macau with the rapid growth of our business. Meanwhile, we successively set up exclusive VIP Clubs in Manila, Seoul, Incheon, Phnom Penh and Da Nang, etc. Adhering to the spirit of “Innovating With Diversity, Striving For Success,” Suncity Group spared no effort to develop high-end entertainment services and products, as well as roll out a global VIP loyalty program for selected members to enjoy entertainment, travel, catering services, luxury shopping and motion pictures. Today, the scope of our business covers most sectors, especially in the fields of global travel, film production, concert and event planning, catering and luxury goods. As a Macau born and bred enterprise, Suncity Group is not only devoted to developing the Asian market, but also oriented to expand its global network. In the future, we will surely continue to diversify our VIP entertainment services, attract more exclusive members and make every effort to promote our business in every corner of the world.

TVBet

TVBET introduces juicy new arrival

VBET recently introduced its 12th exclusive product, FruitRace. The game is a groundbreaking product for the igaming audience thanks to a successful combination of lottery and race mechanics. FruitRace, like other TVBET games, is invented in TV format. It combines elements of traditional lottery games with racing mechanics at its core. The lotto machine is designed as a racing track. The game uses ten drawing balls with pics: nine colored balls with fruits and one orange ball with the number 7. Each game, the lottery balls are released into the lottery drum, they circle several times and, then, are randomly drawn into the result tube. The balls are stacked alongside the pics comparison panel to determine and display the matches. The goal of the player is to place a bet and guess the highest number of matches.

The FruitRace game’s main advantage is its simplicity. It is really easy to understand and does not take much effort. The game is suitable for both bettors and casino lovers. Those who like betting will go crazy for the game, since it does not take more than a minute, and bettors will be able to play it in between matches. Casino lovers will appreciate the similarity to the lottery because everything here depends on luck as well. In addition to winnings, FruitRace players may receive additional bonuses from TVBET. The provider of live games TVBET does not stand still and tries to surprise its partners and their clients. Exactly thanks to this aspiration, they’ve managed to create something new and unique, namely the FruitRace game. Fast, dynamic, simple - all this makes FruitRace one of the best offers in the igaming industry.

ultraplay

UltraPlay unveils new logo

ltraPlay has unveiled a new logo in the first step of a new brand identity. It comes as a continuation of UltraPlay’s 10-year anniversary that was celebrated earlier this year. “In 2020, the company turned 10 years old. It’s the perfect moment to reflect on what’s been done and what would be our next decade’s goals,” said Lyubomira Petrova, chief marketing officer. “When it comes to brand identity, it’s this cornerstone of every company that sets the tone of who we are and what are our values, vision,

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

and mission so that everyone in the company works as a winning team. That was our main idea when deciding to enhance our logo – to highlight our upwards direction and present our aim for the continuation of the excellence we bring to the iGaming industry.” The logo will be followed by the release of the redesigned corporate website that is going to be announced soon. Created with the latest UX/UI trends, the new website will be easy to navigate, through its dynamic presentation of

the company’s products, and services, as well as catching the latest news from UltraPlay’s media awareness.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 51 Walker Digital

Expanding footprint

his year has been a challenging time for both operators and suppliers across the gaming industry. Despite these unprecedented business conditions, WDTS has achieved significant milestones in 2020, including launching Perfect Bay Baccarat in a new Asia-Pacific region, nearly doubling the Perfect Pay Table footprint in Macau, and a breakthrough expansion into North America with the first Perfect Pay deal on the Las Vegas Strip. Emily Io, Vice President of Sales for WDTS, has observed that operators are looking for solutions that increase efficiency and profit per table from existing customers now more than ever. She notes that “Perfect Pay has the unique benefit of not only reducing operating expenses by automating manual procedures, such as player ratings and table inventory management but also driving top-line revenue with increases in game speed and table uptime.

Built in game protection also eliminates losses due to theft or error – this recovered revenue goes straight to the bottom line.” In addition to operational support, Perfect Pay is also the platform for profitable customerfavorite side bets, including Baccarat Insurance and Lucky Six, with more on the way. WDTS has also used this time for advancing priority development and partnership initiatives. One significant extension of the product includes on-table integration to cash counter units. This feature ensures that validated cash buy ins are automatically verified against chips placed on Perfect Pay’s Dealer Antenna. Ms. Io continues, “This feature truly closes the loop on chip security at the table. No other table automation product even approaches the integrity of a Perfect Pay Table.” WDTS knows that these kinds of integrated solutions and collaborative relationships are

critical to the successful evolution of today’s casino operation. Towards this end, WDTS has worked with the Macao Polytechnic Institute to place a Perfect Pay Table in the gaming innovation laboratory at the Centre of Gaming and Tourism Studies. As 2020 draws to a close, Neil Crossan, Chief Commercial Officer, is gratified that he and his Macau-based team continues to be able to partner with customers to deliver world-class solutions and support. “Our commitment to and partnership in the success of our customer’s business is one constant in what has otherwise been a highly variable year.”

Win Systems

Winning with casino systems

in Systems is a technology supplier providing management solutions, electronic roulette and slot machines to the casino and lottery industries. Our product range delivers thorough solutions to cover all needs in your casino, regardless of size. WIGOS, our market-leading casino management system, the internationally

acclaimed GOLD CLUB electronic roulette and our innovative GAMESTAR slot machines allow you to build a seamlessly integrated, profitable, and flexible casino floor with ease. Our CMS WIGOS offers a complete and scalable suite of innovative tools to manage all aspects of daily operation with powerful yet easy to use solutions. Connecting up to 100k

machines in 340 casinos worldwide, WIGOS ranks among the Top4 CMS around the globe. The CMS includes leading-edge features such as Intellia, a business intelligence tool for realtime floor optimization, WinUp, a mobile app for players which is fully customizable with the casino image and contents, and WinStats, a powerful app to access the casino key executive information in real time. Win Systems has recently launched Wigos PlaySafe, a new set of WIGOS functionalities to efficiently accomplish social distancing measures while maintaining 100 percent active positions,maximizing player satisfaction and ultimately casino profitability. The GOLD CLUB range offers the most compact multiplayer electronic roulette, which allows a maximized return from limited spaces. Its modern, compact design with enhanced ergonomics ensures that players are attracted to the roulette and are comfortable during game play, while the adaptive illumination technology creates the most immersive gaming experience. The highest industry standards lead the GAMESTAR design process when developing our latest generation of slot cabinets, which are impressive in their usability and striking in their lighting solutions. The wide range of interactive multi-level bonus games, variety of free spins, unique game features and Jackpot Systems mean everyone can find the best game for themselves.

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS 53

march

december World Gaming Executive Summit (Virtual) 7-9 December 2020 W Hotel, Barcelona https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/world-gamingexecutive-summit/index.stm

2021 february Sigma Europe 16-18 February 2021 MFCC, Malta https://register.sigma.com.mt/malta/ Ukrainian Gaming Week 24-25 February 2021 IEC Pavilion, Kiev https://ugw.com.ua/en

IMGL Spring Conference 10-12 March 2021 Athens, Greece https://www.imgl.org/conferences/spring/overview/2020 SPICE India 23-25 March 2021 Goa Marriott Hotel, India https://www.sportsbettingevents.com/spice-india

May G2E Asia 25-27 May 2021 Venetian Macau https://www.g2easia.com/ Sigma Manila 27-28 May 2021 SMX Convention Centre, Manila https://www.sigma.com.mt/en/events/asia

JUne ICE London 29 June - 1 July 2021 Excel Centre, London https://www.icelondon.uk.com/

JULY Philippines Asia Gaming Expo 29-31 July 2021 World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center, Manila https://www.phil-asiangamingexpo.com/

august Australasian Gaming Expo 10-12 August 2021 ICC, Sydney https://austgamingexpo.com/

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Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

LAST WORD 54

Staffing in a crisis Sharon Singleton

Managing Editor, AGB

2020 has been an unprecedented year in the global gambling industry, not least because of the staffing challenges that have been created by the pandemic.

an-Asian figures on the number of actual job Macau and the University of St Joseph highlighted losses are not available, but even in markets the increase in precarity between the non-resident such as Macau, where the government made and resident workers due to the pandemic. It found many blue-card workers chose to it clear it expected operators to keep the lights on and retain their employees, there are signs stay locked down in Macau for fear of losing their there have been job losses and cutbacks that have employment status, but unlike local residents they were not entitled to the government consumption made staff feel increasingly precarious. A recent study by the Macau Gaming Enterprises bonuses of around MOP10,000 ($1,251) to spend on Staff Association found that 80 percent of local gaming goods and services. Of course, not all of the blue card workers are workers were worried about their future position. employed in the gaming industry, The sur ve y asked 611 with many working as domestic employees about their views helpers, but it’s not unfair to of their prospects and found assume that a great number that there has been an increase It was the more will also be from the legion of 20 percentage points from of service workers within the the same time it carried out senior workers, with hospitality industry. the poll a year ago in those a decade or more Official figures also show concerned about their jobs. that the local unemployment On top of that, some 60 of experience, who rate has risen steadily since percent said they had been said they felt the Januar y, with the largest forced to take unpaid leave. A most insecure. reduction reported in the key area of concern was that Gaming & Junket Activities this leave would be extended and Real Estate & Business as revenues in Macau fail to Activities sectors. Some of bounce back as quickly as had been expected. It was the more senior workers, with those positions may never return as the VIP sector a decade or more of experience, who said they felt shrinks. Executives from Wynn Resorts on a recent earnings call said they don’t expect the high roller the most insecure. The association suggests that the government sector to ever get back to its pre-crisis levels. It’s definitely a tough call for any employer to have should regulate unpaid leave and also suggested additional training for employees to position for an to let any team members go. In Macau, where monthly economic rebound. It also urged the government to gaming revenue is still down more than 70 percent from pre-crisis levels, the need to cut running costs ensure foreign workers were the first to go. And according to the figures, they have been. is evident. However, it’s also a market which in the The number of blue card holders has fallen by past has suffered from difficulty in recruiting staff 11,800 since the beginning of the year to 181,000, to its casino positions due to the restricted labour with the majority returning to the Philippines and pool and should the market abruptly change course, operators will need to have workers on tap and not Mainland China. Research carried out by the City University of be scrambling to fill gaps.

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Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

WE SURVEYED 500 PUBS

AUSTRALASIAN GAMING SURVEY

Covid-19 Response

Q. WHAT is the most important learning you have gained as a result of the crisis?

Q. WHAT actions have you taken regarding egms?

& CLUBS

Used Signage

56%

Increased Distance

56%

Deactivated EGMs Moved Machines

ACROSS

Reduced the Number

ANZ ...

Surrended Machines

AND HERE ARE THE RESULTS.

Explore gaming industry data from a truly insightful perspective and use it to transform your business challenges and opportunities into valuable commercial assets.

46%

Set up Screens

Q. WHAT PAYMENT RELATED CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED?

31% 22% 8% 1%

Q. WHEN DO YOU EXPECT REVENUES TO RETURN TO NORMAL?

Paying Suppliers

68%

Paying Utility Blls

56%

Paying Saff

47%

Paying Rent

44%

Paying Contractors

Revenue is Normal (11%) In less than 6 months (6%) In 6 months to 12 months (17%)

35% 0

In 12 months to 24 months (48%) It will take longer than 24 months (18%)

Q. HOW MANY EGMs ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE?

Q. VISITATION IS AT WHAT % OF PREPANDEMIC LEVELS? NSW VIC QLD

Less than 25% are active (13%) Between 25 and 50% are active (16%)

Other 0

100

Between 50 and 75% are active (39%) More than 75% are active (32%)

Weekday

Weekend

Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020

AGBriefings November 2020 Edition

Articles inside

LAST WORD

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT

AUSTRALIA

CAMBODIA

MYANMAR

RUSSIA

FOCUS

SINGAPORE

PHILIPPINES

MACAU

DIVERSIFY, OR ELSE...