IT'S MORE "DIGITAL" IN THE PHILIPPINES

March is of special significance to Asia Gaming Brief, as we are given the opportunity to host the industry at the ASEAN Gaming Summit in Manila. Between 19 to 21 March 2019 at the Conrad Manila, and under the banner of technological innovations & disruption, gaming executives from across both online and land-based operations converge to discuss the regional outlook and the underlying trends learned over the past year.

We are honoured to welcome Jay Walker, chairman of Walker Digital and one of the true pioneers of the digital age as our keynote speaker on Day One of the conference. One of the world’s most prolific living inventors, he will share some of his insights into gaming in the digital age. We hope the engagement of a such a high-caliber persona will provide delegates with a different perspective of tech’s role in their day-to-day operations.

As we head into 2019, the outlook is turning less certain, with the slowdown in the Chinese economy causing some of the region’s high rollers to tighten their purse strings. As economic conditions become more challenging, operators will need to use the tools at their disposal to maximise revenue and streamline operations and here the adoption of new technologies will be a key management focus.

And what a strong year of growth 2018 was for Asia’s gaming jurisdictions, with gross gambling revenue in Macau gaining 14 percent and the Philippines powering ahead some 23 percent. Smaller jurisdictions such as Vietnam and Cambodia continued to attract significant interest, with growth in the latter propelled by an influx of Chinese foreign investment, fuelling a whopping 53 percent gain in the number of new licenses issued last year.

Our Jurisdiction Updates bring you the relevant developments throughout the region, such as the factions vying for control at Macau’s incumbent operator SJM; how the Philippines’ license moratorium is clouding growth prospects; or the stellar results from Genting Singapore.

Where Asia has always been a land of opportunity, it also brings associated risk. For our focus section in the ASEAN edition of Asia Gaming Briefings, we take a look at some of the challenges involved in gaming in Asia, both land-based and online, for there are many along the path to riches as every operator and supplier will tell you. Lack of regulation; infrastructure or lack thereof; corruption; poor security; over reliance on visitors from China can mean that an investment that looked good on paper may end up being worth little more than the paper it was written on.

These and other concerns will be explored in depth by regulators, operators, suppliers and service providers converging in Manila for ASEAN’ 19. We have a line up of stellar speakers this year and are also delighted to host Pagcor President Alfredo Lim and Pagcor Chair Andrea Domingo, who will be giving addresses at the show.

In this third edition, Asia Gaming Brief is rolling out a number of initiatives to further enhance industry engagement, such as changes to the format. There has been a natural extension of the networking concept into an expostyle showroom, where the biggest names in the industry can share the most recent enhancements to their product lines. We make note of the event highlights throughout these pages -- program and social gatherings -- along with a brief introduction to the sponsors that make it all happen. I

f you’re at ASEAN and would like to book a meeting with a fellow delegate or exhibitor to enhance your network, engage a prospect, or meet with the AGB Team, well... there’s also an app for that! The Asia Gaming Brief Team will be around throughout the event to help you make the most of your experience

. If you’re reading us from afar, we wish you were here and encourage you to join us in Manila because everyone knows… “It’s more… in the Philippines!”

On behalf of Asia Gaming

Brief Rosalind Wade & Luis Pereira

Publishers