ANOTHER DAY IN PARAD-ICE

Parad-ICE, as this year’s Totally Gaming event is themed, is the first of many industry gatherings throughout the year, but on a scale and a level of sensory overload that only the ExCel London footprint can provide. The show features a massive array of products and numerous conference sessions, covering every existing and potential industry niche. Asia and in particular Japan, won’t be overlooked.

If 2017 was a year of rebound, 2018 is gearing up to be a year of consolidation for the gaming industry, particularly in Asia. While the region might not be quite the parad-ICE it once was, the consistent numbers reported for the last quarter have brought a sense of stability to the markets.

The recurring success story has arguably been that of The Philippines, particularly the Manila integrated resorts.

Despite an ever changing regulatory framework, operations across the country have gone from strength to strength.

We dedicate the Focus section of this edition of AGBriefings to the Manila IRs for their laudable contributions to the jurisdiction in which they operate and the Asia gaming industry as a whole. In exclusive interviews with AGB, the property presidents, Tom Arasi - Solaire Resort & Casino; Stephen Reilly - Resorts World Manila; and Steve Wolstenholme - Okada Manila; share their viewpoints on revenue, trends, and expansion - in the Philippines and the region.

The same operators will set the tone of the discussions at the upcoming second edition of the ASEAN Gaming Summit, to be held at the Conrad Manila on March 20- 22nd. AGB recruited a vast array of speakers to address the challenges the industry faces, with a particular focus on how disruptive technology and the ever evolving player base are affecting the industry and forging convergence between the online and land-based spheres. In these pages you’ll also find our regular Jurisdiction Updates bringing an update of the most relevant developments across 22 markets.

For Greater China, we explore the see-sawing relations between Macau’s mass and VIP sectors, with analysts this year pointing to a rebound in mass and a softening in the high roller revenue that drove the game in 2017.

Turning to IndoChina, Cambodia is being dubbed as potentially Asia’s next hotspot. The country has adopted a “China Ready” tourism strategy aimed at boosting ties, including targeted marketing campaigns and special training for Cambodian hospitality staff to ensure they are able to meet the needs of Chinese guests.

Across to Australia, though sentiment towards the jurisdiction as a whole is lacklustre amidst flat revenue and rising regulatory pressure, the state of Queensland continues to attract international investor interest in its casino market and is expected to see progress with new licenses being issued this year.

Over to the Pacific Isles where tourist arrivals to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands surged 30 percent in 2017, helped by improved transport links and infrastructure, but labor shortages continue to plague the development of resorts on the islands.

If you’re also heading to parad-ICE and would like to learn more about AGB’s initiatives for 2018 - namely the ASEAN Gaming Summit in March, the Asia Gaming Awards in May and our plans for Japan, drop us a line at ICE@agbrief.com to book a meeting or drop by our stand# SD6-B. See you there!

On behalf of Asia Gaming Brief

Rosalind Wade & Luis Pereira

Publishers