THE YEAR THAT CHANGED THE GAME

The year that changed everything

Now an Asia Gaming Brief tradition, the December edition of our Focus section gathers views from industry figures on the key events of the past year and asks them to gaze into a crystal ball to divine what the year ahead may hold. Over the years, many of the answers have been remarkably prescient in their forecasts for the near-term direction of Asia’s gaming industry. However, we can safely say that no one came anywhere close to guessing what 2020 may have had in store!

In these pages you’ll also find the most relevant updates across the Asia jurisdictions. Starting off with Macau, the Chief Executive has reaffirmed that “promoting an adequate economic diversification” remains a key objective and a key way forward will be developing a financial industry. The concept of Macau as a financial center, theoretically, offers the best chance for success.

Across the gate, Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with the General Administration of Sports revealed a five-year blueprint that would aim to expand and promote the country’s already mammoth horse-racing industry – which already boasts the secondhighest number of riders in the world, right after the U.S. Up on the mountain, and behind the sea of red in Genting Malaysia’s 20Q3 results, analysts found reason for cheer in the performance of its domestic operations, which generated a positive EBITDA of RM541 million ($133 million) in the quarter. Meanwhile Singapore’s two integrated resorts have surprised analysts with the strength of their most recent results, despite higher entry fees for locals and a lack of international travel.

Circling to Cambodia, where Nagacorp has undoubtedly been one of Asia’s integrated resort success stories, credit ratings agency Moody’s sounded a note of caution arguing that the company’s capital $4 billion spending plans will reduce the its liquidity buffer at a time when Covid-19 has made the pace of recovery uncertain for the gaming industry.

Down under, the fallout from the inquiry into Crown Resorts’ suitability to hold a license in Sydney may have ramifications for the entire industry in Australia, including tighter regulation.

Asia Gaming Brief signs off this last edition of the print magazine of the year with its sights firmly locked on the industry’s recovery. The pandemic has changed everything and so have we. AGB has pivoted its editorial coverage to adapt to the new content consumer behavior and expanded to new interactive formats - from video interviews, to podcasts and infographics. Let us know how you’d like your Asia gaming industry insights to be delivered to you by sharing your feedback with us at editorial@agbrief.com.

Enjoy your reading and Happy holidays!

On behalf of Asia Gaming Brief

Rosalind Wade & Luis Pereira

CO-FOUNDERS