AGBriefings February 2021 Edition by Asia Gaming Brief

JURISDICTION UPDATES February 2021 Edition

In focus pg.26

Balancing green and growth

MACAU

Londoner calling pg.12 Adelson’s lasting legacy pg.14

INDIA

Challenge for skillbased gaming pg.32

PHILIPPINES Competition mounts in Manila pg.22

POGOs get tax reprieve pg.24

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT pg.36

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

MESSAGE 3

Bouncing back, sustainably

he world is bouncing back, or at least coming to

sector and border controls, they’ll also have to contend with

grips with the fact that going forward not much

three new developments pressing ahead. On the online

will be the same as before. Commendably, this

sphere, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have

industry quickly understood the need to adapt to a

won a reprieve from a punishing franchise tax, which may

new normal, and that the days of targeting the low hanging

reduce departures from the country, but uncertainty over

fruit of the VIP sector are gone. Instead the industry has

business conditions remains high, industry insiders say.

been taking a mainstream approach and adjusting their

In turn the country is forging a new path with the

offer to cater the consumer market while curbing an

introduction of PIGOS where the rest of the region is lagging

unhealthy reliance on international patronage.

behind. AGBriefings managing editor, Sharon Singleton,

The new ‘chapter’ of a post-covid also brought to light

writes that Asia, once the world’s most exciting region, risks

the precarious relationship of the gaming industry with

being left behind on online convergence. As land-based

sustainability on infrastructural perspective and shift in

casinos continue to struggle with Covid-19 mandated closures

consumer mentality. It runs deep: Frederic Jean-Marie

and social distancing, the big Vegas based operators are

Winckler, executive vice president and chief creative and

snapping billions to acquire sportsbooks and online facing

brand officer of Melco Resorts & Entertainment highlights

companies in an attempt to diversify the revenue stream. So

sustainability as one of three key issues for the industry

far only the Philippines has moved into convergence with the

going forward. In these pages you’ll also find the most

introduction of the first licenses that will allow the country’s

relevant updates across the Asia gaming jurisdictions.

nationals to gamble online and to allow land-based casinos to

Starting off with Macau, the Londoner is opening its doors

accept online bets.

after the worst year in modern records and facing the biggest

We round up the edition with the traditional Supplier Special

test of the mantra “if you build it, they will come. More than

Report where you’ll find the most recent offering from land-

testing current market conditions, the ‘opening’ will also

based manufacturers and online providers.

serve to show whether such themed-resorts will continue

This February 2021 edition marks the 8th Anniversary of

to appeal to the Chinese traveller looking for the ultimate

the AGBriefings Jurisdiction Updates magazine. We’d like to

instagram moment. Nonetheless local operators closed the

take this opportunity to thank our sponsors and advertisers

year tracking much better than in 1Q20 and expectations are

for their unwavering support in these challenging times and

high, with Morgan Stanley projecting that all the operators,

reiterate that our commitment to our readers remains as

with the exception of SJM, are likely to be positive on EBITDA

strong, albeit more sustainably, as we first started!

Rosalind Wade

Luis Pereira

for at the end of the quarter. The revamp of Sands Cotai Central comes at a time when the industry mourns the

On behalf of Asia Gaming Brief

passing of its founder. Sheldon Adelson, whose vision for

Rosalind Wade & Luis Pereira

gaming in Asia helped reshape the skylines of both Macau

CO-FOUNDERS

and Singapore, died in January at age 87. Meanwhile in the Philippines, competition is adding to covid

Connect with us:

woes. Operators in Entertainment City had already begun to complain about the impact of rising competition on their

@agbrief

margins even prior to the Covid-19 crisis. Now, further to

Asia Gaming Brief

an outlook of high uncertainty due to the erosion of the VIP

www.agbrief.com

FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION SERIES II • ISSUE XIX

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Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

CONTENTS 4

GREATER CHINA

NORTH ASIA

MACAU - LONDONER CALLING

MACAU - ADELSON’S LASTING LEGACY

MACAU - OPERATOR EXPECTATIONS

JAPAN - OPTIMISM IN TOMAKOMAI

SOUTH EAST ASIA

PHILIPPINES - COMPETITION IN MANILA

PHILIPPINES - POGOS WIN TAX BATTLE

SOUTH ASIA INDIA - PAVING A PATH FORWARD

INDIA - DELTA GETS IR APPROVAL

SPECIAL FOCUS

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT

INDUSTRY OPINION

LAST WORD

58 54

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

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Phone: +853 2872 2539 sggaming.com/asia

The look and feel of the games and their individual components and displays are trade dress of Scientific Games and its Subsidiaries. All ® notices signify marks registered in the United States. ™ and © 2020 Scientific Games Corp. and its Subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Scientific Games is committed to responsible gambling. Responsible features proactively Agambling sia Gam i n g Bare rie f i n g s | developed February 2021 to ensure the safety and security of players while using Scientific Games products.

GREATER CHINA

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

GREATER CHINA 13

MACAU

Londoner needs stiff upper lip in tough market conditions Macau will face the biggest test of the mantra “if you build it, they will come,” as Sands China’s $2 billion “The Londoner” gets set to open its doors after the worst year in modern records for the world’s largest gambling hub.

he London-themed resort is a revamp of Sands Cotai Central, which sits across the road from sister resorts, The Venetian and The Parisian. The company began accepting hotel bookings from mid-December and accepted the first guests from Jan. 22nd. It plans an official ceremony in early February. It’s not just a test of current market conditions, but will also serve to show whether such themedresorts still appeal to the Chinese traveller looking for the ultimate instagram moment. The Atrium is designed for that wow factor, creating a space modelled on London’s Crystal Palace and featuring a replica of the Statue of Eros in Leicester Square. There is also a 96-meter replica of Big Ben. The resort features two all-suite hotels, making a total of five luxury brands at the resort. It also adds dining options from British chefs, such as Gordon Ramsey, as well as new MICE space, with a 6,000-seat arena. “Sands China Ltd. has a successful track record of creating themed properties in Macao, and The Londoner Macao joins The Venetian Macao and The Parisian Macao as Asia’s top destinations for both the leisure and MICE markets,” Sands China President Wilfred Wong said in a recent release. “London is an iconic city and we anticipate this addition will further raise the profile of Macao while increasing the number of visitors as our other flagship properties have done.” New property openings have nearly all helped to successfully increase visitation to Macau, however, the near-term outlook remains highly uncertain. Visitation over the Christmas season picked up and Macau saw its highest level of travellers since the pandemic began on New Year’s Eve with 30,747 visitors reported. Still, the recovery

has not been as fast as expected since China resumed individual travel visas in September and new outbreaks across China have resulted in further tightening in travel restrictions.

“

It also adds dining options from British chefs, such as Gordon Ramsey, as well as new MICE space, with a 6,000-seat arena.

”

The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has been lobbying hard on the mainland with a series of marketing campaigns to lure travellers.

The Londoner is hoping to get a helping hand from the star power of David Beckham. The former England footballer has been Sands’ global ambassador since 2013 and has had a hands-on role in designing the new resort. Beckham worked with London interior design firm David Collins Studio to create the Suites by David Beckham, his first such foray into hotel design. The 14 suites take up the top two floors of the “The Londoner Hotel” and will open later in 2021. “These suites will present a unique experience, enhanced with personal touches from my life,” he says. The Londoner Hotel itself is an all-suite tower designed by Hong Kong-based Steve Leung Design Group with about 600 luxury suites. The Louis and Victoria Suites are 75 square meters, while the ultra-premium Windsor Suites have 113 square meters. The Unveiling The Londoner Macau promotional packages went on sale in midDecember, offering a one-night stay in a Louis Suite and access to resident’s club The Residence starting from. MOP2,398.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

GREATER CHINA 14

MACAU

Gambling loses industry titan - Adelson dies at 87 Sheldon Adelson, whose vision for gaming in Asia helped reshape the skylines of both Macau and Singapore, died in January at age 87, though analysts expect the company to continue with its commitment to the region.

delson, the founder CEO and Chairman of Las Vegas Sands died following complications for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was forced to take a leave of absence from the company in 2019 to receive treatment for the disease but had been back at work until early this year.

When Sheldon “launched a new venture, the world looked on with anticipation.

”

In a statement, his wife Dr Miriam Adelson spoke of how the executive was an all-American story of entrepreneurship. “When Sheldon launched a new venture, the world looked on with anticipation,” she wrote. “He was an American patriot: a U.S. Army veteran who gave generously to wounded warriors and, wherever he could, looked to the advancement of these great United States. He was the proudest of Jews, who saw in the State of Israel not only the realization of an historical promise to a unique and deserving people, but also a gift from the Almighty to all of humanity.” Adelson was a true rags to riches story. He was born to immigrant parents and went from being a teenager selling newspapers on a street in Boston to one of the world’s richest men. According to Forbes, he’s worth $35.9 billion, making him the world’s 28th richest person. He was a relative latecomer to the casino

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

industry, buying the Sands Hotel and Casino in 1989 with a partner. He went on to develop that resort into the iconic Venetian property after honeymooning with his second wife in the Italian city in 1996. Adelson is credited with being the person to recognize the potential of a swampy area of

land off the Macau Peninsula, which has now been transformed into the glitzy Cotai Strip and which helped propel Macau to become the world’s largest gambling hub, generating about seven times the revenue of the Las Vegas Strip. He opened Sands Macau in 2004 and went on to open the Venetian Macau in 2007. He opened

GREATER CHINA 15

The Parisian Macau in 2016 and in the coming weeks the revamped Sands Cotai Central will reopen as The Londoner. His entry into Macau however was not without acrimony. The company initially teamed with Galaxy Entertainment for one of the concessions, but was unable to agree on a contract, leading to the creation of the sub-concessions. In 2010, he opened the doors of the $5.6 billion Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, which is one of the world’s most profitable resorts and most photographed properties. However, last year, the company pulled out of the running for a license in Japan, blaming the onerous conditions. “Today, more than 50,000 Sands team members have Dr. Adelson and the entire Adelson family in their thoughts and prayers and are grateful to have had their lives touched by a true force of nature,” the company said in a statement. A funeral will be held in Israel, the birthplace of Dr. Miriam Adelson, with plans for a memorial service held in Las Vegas.

Adelson was a major donor to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldstein was appointed CEO in Adelson’s absence. Analysts have said they didn’t expect the departure of the company’s founder to mark a major change in strategy and it will remain committed to its plans in Asia. Las Vegas Sands said last year that it was planning to sell off its properties in Las Vegas, with a $6 billion price tag. That would leave it without any resorts in North America, though it has since begun lobbying for the right to build a casino in Texas. The major question mark will be whether the death of its founder will open the way for Las Vegas Sands to explore a digital strategy like many of its biggest rivals. Adelson had been vehemently opposed to online gaming, leaving Las Vegas Sands behind companies such as Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts, which have made significant forays into the online space.

GROSS GAMING REVENUE (units in MOP million) 2020

2019

Baccarat

26,936 120,773

VIP Baccarat

Roulette

26,280 135,228

188 1,337

Slot Machine

3,475 15,138

Macau police indicts four over chip fraud Macau’s Judiciary Police has announced that it has indicted four local residents for fraud over the sale of HK$1.47 million (US$189,790) in fake VIP gaming chips to two businessmen, while a fifth suspect remains at large. According to Macau Business the victim agreed to an offer to buy the chips at a discounted rate as he needed to pay off a gambling debt. He was told the counters were fake when he took them to another VIP room to pay his dues.

Operators pay annual bonus despite pandemic All six of Macau’s casino operators have said they will pay a one-month bonus to their non-management staff despite crumbling revenues due to the Covid-19 crisis. Commenting on the bonus, MGM co-chair and director Pansy Ho thanked staff for remaining united during a challenging year. “Looking into 2021, MGM will continue to invest in our team members. With our innovative mindset and courage to change, we will achieve greatness together with Macau this year.” Melco Resorts & Entertainment Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said the bonus recognizes the hard work, loyalty and dedication of staff. “We appreciate our colleagues’ every contribution during this difficult time as we continue to stand as one to weather the challenges in the new year with optimism and courage.”

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

GREATER CHINA 16

MACAU

Slow start seen for Macau operators, but growth in H2 Lower operating costs and a better business mix are likely to have helped the bottom line of Macau’s operators in the fourth quarter, despite continued low revenues, Morgan Stanley says.

he firm predicts positive corporate EBITDA of $420 million for the quarter from all companies combined, much better than in Q1 of last year when they made $100 million. Morgan Stanley said all the operators except SJM Holdings are likely to be positive on the EBITDA level. Morgan Stanley notes the operators made significant cuts to operating expenditure after the pandemic hit, with daily operating expenses coming down by 38 percent in Q3 year-on-year. It expects a similar decline in the fourth quarter. The companies have also seen a higher contribution from the mass market, which has led to a better operating mix. VIP is expected to make up just 21 percent of gross gambling revenue in the most recent quarter, compared with 42 percent in the first quarter of last year. “We estimate that VIP revenue declined by 83 percent in 4Q, while mass revenue declined by only 62 percent,” it said.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

Among the individual operators, Morgan Stanley expects Galaxy Entertainment and Sands China to benefit from non-gaming EBITDA, in particular from their retail

“

Morgan Stanley says it remains upbeat and its estimates are 5 percent above the consensus for 2022.

”

offerings. The firm notes that retail sales for many luxury stores were already positive year-on-year in October at the two resorts.

The analysts also observe that slot contribution to GGR in Macau has been rising and now stands at 7 percent. However, slots’ contribution to EBITDA is higher at 10 percent. For the whole of this year, Morgan Stanley has already revealed that it is below the consensus estimate for the market, but expects outperformance in 2022. It sees 2021 corporate EBITDA of $6.4 billion, or 65 percent of 2019’s levels. The market view is for EBITDA to reach 70 percent. It also says it continues to see potential for downside in both numbers. In terms of the implications for gaming stocks, Morgan Stanley says stocks are likely to remain “sluggish” until there is a bottoming out of 2021 earnings revisions. Capacity expansion, Chinese exploration and concession extension are likely to lead to outperformance of Macau’s gaming stocks in the second half of this year. The firm sees 2021 gross gambling revenue of $24 billion, that’s 65 percent

GREATER CHINA 17

of 2019 levels and below the 70 percent consensus from analysts. However, Morgan Stanley says it remains upbeat and its estimates are 5 percent above the consensus for 2022. The first reason for optimism is the return of Chinese travel, with the government discouraging travel to overseas destinations, potentially benefiting Macau. “One third of Asian gaming revenue comes from outside of Macau, part of which is contributed by Chinese consumers and could come back to Macau, with recently unveiled criminal law also making it more difficult for overseas countries to solicit Chinese consumers.” Economic indicators in China are also pointing to pent up luxury demand and for nominal Gross Domestic Product next year to be 22 percent higher than in 2019. Given the historic correlation between GDP and Macau’s GGR, the numbers suggest gambling revenue could reach $47 billion in 2022. Morgan Stanley is also predicting that concern over concession renewal will be lifted this year. The concessions come up for renewal in 2022, but the firm argues the government will take the decision to extend the licenses for a further three years from the middle of the year, removing the overhang on stocks. It says that there is now not enough time for a law to be passed, for the public to be consulted and to prepare the re-tendering process before the concessions expire in June 2022. “We expect US-backed concessionaires to be re-rated higher if all licenses are extended,” it said. “ Local stocks outperformed USbased names by 16ppts in 2020.” The third reason to drive demand and provide upside to share prices is also likely to be capacity expansion, Morgan Stanley said. The Londoner comes online in February, while SJM Holdings Grand Lisboa Palace will add 1,900 rooms later in the year. Galaxy Entertainment’s Phase 3A expansion will also add 800 luxury rooms. “Macau stocks tend to outperform when the industry adds significant hotel capacity (number of rooms), since these drive overnight visitors and premium mass revenue,” it said. “Stocks also tend to outperform 6-12 months before the opening of mega casino openings. We expect 2021 to be an important year in which both of these activities drive outperformance for Macau stocks.”

Gaming Industry Edition

No surprise that "coronavirus" hit the top spot in google searches in 2020. Throughout the year, people were most interested in updates, number of cases, and any news they could get their hands on. Most recently, the related search queries have been around vaccines, and whether you can contract coronavirus twice.

The U.S. Presdential Election not only spurred record betting turnover in election betting, it also has huge implications f or the gaming industry, particularly U.S. companies with operations in Asia, and Macau.

You've been living under a rock if you haven't yet used Zoom this year. Zoom's most recent f igures suggest that the platf orm has 300 million daily meeting participants, which is more than 30x that of December 2019.

Surprisingly the Indian Premier League rocketed up to a top 5 position in just the Aug-Nov period. Countries searching this term most was Nepal, f ollowed by India, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka. The same group of countries earlier in the year searched f or "India vs New Zealand"

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

NORTH ASIA

JAPAN

Tomakomai IR optimists continue to see glass half full

Hope springs eternal in the minds of Tomakomai IR advocates. The answer delivered from the lips of Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki keeps coming back “no,” but what seems to be delivered to their ears is “maybe soon.”

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

heir frustration is understandable. Tomakomai city was an early mover in Japan’s IR process. This candidate site in Japan’s northernmost prefecture attracted a lot of strong interest from international IR operators; indeed, more than any other non-urban location in the country. At one point, four potential operators—Hard Rock, Mohegan, Rush Street, and Clairvest—had set up local offices in the city. It’s not too much to say that if Tomakomai had been allowed to move forward with its IR bid, it almost certainly would have been one of the three to obtain a license from the national government, having more firepower than other regional candidates such as Nagasaki and Wakayama. But the Achilles heel of the Tomakomai bid was always located in the prefectural capital of Sapporo and in public opinion in the wider prefecture. Former Hokkaido Governor Harumi Takahashi was probably always a supporter of the IR initiative, though she cautiously declined to publicly express her advocacy until her final days in office. Had she decided to run for a fifth term as governor rather than move into national politics, things might have been different for local IR advocates.

NORTH ASIA 19

Instead, a new governor came into office in April 2019. At first, IR advocates celebrated the young Naomichi Suzuki’s election, especially as he had handily defeated an opposition candidate, Tomohiro Ishikawa, who had pledged to immediately kill off the initiative.

Governor “Suzuki meant

exactly what he had said on the campaign trail— that he was indeed undecided.

”

During that gubernatorial campaign, Suzuki declared that he was undecided on the Tomakomai IR initiative, but that he would take a careful look at the issue if elected. Most IR advocates understood his words as meaning that he was actually on their side, but that he

just didn’t want to say so openly in light of the unpopularity of casino legalization. They were shocked seven months later when it turned out that Governor Suzuki meant exactly what he had said on the campaign trail—that he was indeed undecided. More specifically, what Governor Suzuki seemed to be signaling is that he wasn’t going to take the political lead on local IR development, though he may have been prepared to follow. Suzuki spent his initial months in office watching how the issue was addressed within the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly. Finally, after two days of talks on the IR issue in November 2019 within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party caucus (which holds a slim majority in the chamber), conservative opinions could not be unified. Seeing this lack of party backing, Suzuki moved to end the matter by declaring that Hokkaido would be passing on the first round of national IR development. As a pretext, he cited the length of time that environmental surveys would take to carry out, but his real reason was clearly the lack of prefecture-wide political support for the initiative. But “no” was not the answer that the Tomakomai IR advocates had expected nor prepared to accept. A sort of “never say die” attitude crept both into the administration of

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

NORTH ASIA 20

Tomakomai Mayor Hirofumi Iwakura as well as within some private sector circles. In these quarters, there were those holding out for any ray of hope that “no” didn’t really mean no, or that the governor could be overruled by his central government patron, Yoshihide Suga, or that somehow, someway, Suzuki could be pressured through dubious pro-IR media reports into changing his mind. Recently, the ray of hope came from

the nine-month delay in the national IR licensing timeline. The Tomakomai city government asserted that there was now sufficient time to complete the needed environmental surveys. And so cue another round of reports in the gaming industry press that “Hokkaido” was thinking about rejoining the IR race. No, it was just the very same pro-IR diehards grasping at straws, as they have continued

to do without rest since November 2019. It should have come as little surprise, therefore, that last week Governor Suzuki was forced to state once again that his prefecture did not intend to participate in the first round of IR development, asserting that the extra nine months still did not leave sufficient time for surveys and preparations and, in any case, dealing with the Covid-19 crisis needs to be the prefectural government’s priority.

OVERSEAS RESIDENTS VISITS TO JAPAN 2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Mai

Jun

Jul

Ago

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

(Source: Japan National Tourism Organization)

Suncity, Clairvest remain in running for Wakayama IR The Wakayama Prefectural Government published its IR implementation plan in January, maintaining its optimistic view that it can open an IR by the spring of 2026. Currently, there are four candidate locations competing for a maximum of three possible licenses, and among these Wakayama has provided the smallest estimate of the likely economic growth impact. Moreover, the prefectural bid also suffers from the fact that only two operator bidders were accepted into the RFP process after earlier frontrunners such as Barriere and Bloomberry had to pull out under the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Only the Suncity Group and the Clairvest Group remain in the running.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

Japan finally locks down After reaching record numbers of new Covid-19 cases and fatalities for almost two months, the Japan government finally decided to take serious measures to partially lock down the nation in mid January. Among the most dramatic of these moves is to effectively ban the entry of non-resident foreigners from all nations. After some days of hesitation, this was also extended to the cancellation of business traveler arrangements which had earlier been reached with eleven Asian nations and territories, namely Cambodia, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Returning residents of Japan, too, are facing tougher restrictions.

NORTH ASIA 21

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SOUTH EAST ASIA

PHILIPPINES

Competition adds to Covid woes Operators in Entertainment City had already begun to complain about the impact of rising competition on their margins even prior to the Covid-19 crisis.

ow, with the outlook highly uncertain due to border closures and the erosion of the VIP sector, they may have to contend with three new developments pressing ahead. The Westside City project, which has now come under the control of Suncity Holdings Group, was always on the cards and is progressing, with the local unit announcing it had raised PHP12.9 billion ($268.6 million) to finance development. However, in late 2020 Hong Kong-listed International Entertainment said it had received provisional approval for a new license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR). The company runs the New World Manila Bay Hotel and Casino and has said it wants to upgrade the property into an integrated resort. In November, Waterfront Philippines said it had won a Supreme Court battle forcing PAGCOR to issue a long-stalled license for its proposed development, which it first applied for in 2008. Neither of the latter two licensees have made much public about their plans, or the likely time frame for development. However, with gambling revenue unlikely to reach pre-pandemic levels before the second half of 2022 at the earliest, there is concern over how much competition the market can support. “It’s difficult to gauge the demand of the industry now that we are in a very difficult situation,” said Richard Laneda, an analyst with COL Financial. “We also do not know the timing of these new resorts and their respective sizes. Nevertheless, I believe in the short term this will increase competition in the area and will lead to some market share being taken from existing IRs. This will also lead to some margin erosion. But history shows that new IRs are able to grow the pie over the long term.” Prior to the pandemic, the Philippines had been one of the fastest-growing markets in the region, driven by rising tourism and underpinned by a strong domestic market. In 2019, gross gaming revenues rose 15.4 percent to nearly PHP216.39 billion (US$4.28 billion). While the IRs in Entertainment City accounted for about three quarters of the total, growth had actually been faster in the regions. Melco Resorts & Entertainment CEO Lawrence Ho has been warning for several years about the impact of rising competition in the capital. While PAGCOR Chair Andrea Domingo had promised in 2017 that there was a moratorium on news licenses for five years to protect the investment of existing licensees. Industry commentators said they still see a bright future, but operators may need to

SOUTH EAST ASIA 23

reassess their business models and be aware of the potentially shifting goal posts. “At the moment we are involved with several projects in the Philippines and we are strongly urging developers to reconsider their number of Junket rooms and to lower their expectations with the related revenues, and to consider a much more rounded gaming floor offering with the focus on mass and premium mass, as Macau is now doing, large sports books, vibrant stage

It’s difficult to “gauge the demand

of the industry now that we are in a very difficult situation.

”

shows, and a multitude of gaming floor F&B outlets,” said Scott Feeney, CEO of Gaming Concepts Group. “We recommend that gaming floors have a much larger overall entertainment and F&B footprint to cater for the locals to offset the expected lower numbers of Junket groups in general and obviously the lower numbers of international visitors, both tourists, business travellers, conferences and even those simply visiting for pure gaming.” “We know of developers with licenses in hand that have slowed down their timelines, but we think now is the time to be ferociously

3Q GROSS GAMING REVENUES

building and renovating to be ready for the surge when it eventually comes.” Feeney also points to the risk of rising competition such as is being faced in Entertainment City. “A major concern that all potential developers need to recognise quite clearly, is that there are no restrictions on licenses being issued, as we have seen in Clark for example with upwards 12-13 licenses, so this must always be taken into account. The balance between increasing revenues and how many operators will be sharing it makes things very competitive.” Joe Pisano, CEO of Jade Entertainment, said he doesn’t see revenue returning to 2019 levels before 2023, but says the potential is intact. “The Philippines remains a very strong growth market over the next 5 years, with 105 million in population the market is far from saturated and it will be great to see more regional development,” he said. That said, David Green founder and principal of Newpage Consulting sounds a note of caution and points out that there remains a high level of sovereign risk from operating in the Philippines. Potential risks range from the shifting sands of PAGCOR regulation, to Sino-Philippines relations through to capricious decisions from its president. “I think these are issues which rank ahead of the ordinary commercial risks of market saturation, and cannibalisation vs overall growth,” he said. “Proliferation will become a social issue to a greater extent as new operators will no doubt look at inducements to win both new gamblers, and patrons of competitor casinos.”

(units in million)

2020

2019

Licensed Casinos Entertainment City Fiesta

12,962 42,775 185 512

Clark

1,888 3,310

Total Licensed Casinos 15,035 46,597

Total Industry GGR 17,665 65,381 (Source: Pagcor)

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SOUTH EAST ASIA 24

PHILIPPINES

POGOs win tax battle, but maybe not the war Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have won a reprieve from a punishing franchise tax, which may reduce departures from the country, but uncertainty over business conditions remains high, industry insiders say.

he Supreme Court earlier this month turnover tax is a suicidal move, akin to killing ruled 13-1 in favor of 14 petitioners the golden goose.” “I personally think that it is a little bit too from the industry who argued that the provisions of the tax are “patent late as many Chinese operators have shifted violations of substantive due process and equal their focuses to different locations / countries protection of the law and are oppressive and and thus, it would not be easy to salvage the offensive not only to the petitioners, but also situation efficiently.” The main concern for the industry is that to other foreign corporations who are subject the tax was imposed on gross bets, rather than to their provisions.” Those filing the petition included Oriental revenue, which makes it almost impossible Game, Golden Dragon Empire, Riesling Capital to turn a profit. The government had been hoping the and 11 others, as reported by Rappler. The court put a temporary restraining measure would yield an extra P17.5 billion order on the collection of the taxes, which the for the coffers. Despite the exodus Bureau of Internal Revenue of POGO operators from has acknowledged and said the Philippines, Andrea it will respect. They have Domingo, chair of the The 5 percent franchise Philippine Amusement tax, imposed on gross bets, also come to a and Gaming C orp. was the final nail in the realization that (PAGCOR) claims the coffin for many POGO sector is recovering well. operators already struggling the 5 percent In a recent interview due to Covid-19-mandated turnover tax is a with Asia Gaming Brief, she closures. The government estimated that by the end of had been seeking to double suicidal move 2020, PAGCOR would have revenue from the sector to made P33-34 billion pesos pay for recovery efforts ($685.4 million – ($706 from the pandemic. Only 35 POGOs have resumed operations, million) despite being only open for four or five months and by the second quarter of 2021 out of 61 prior to the crisis. While welcoming the Supreme Court would be doing as well as 2019. Bromhead Holdings, which offers decision, industry participants pointed out that the stay is at present only “temporary” and outsourcing and consulting services to the gaming industry, also said it has seen renewed business conditions remain highly uncertain. It may encourage those who have not already signs of life in the sector. “Whilst there undoubtedly has been an left to rethink their plans, but won’t be enough exodus of POGOs from the country recently to encourage any to return. “I believe the Philippines government is there is still an active market and the POGO trying to stop the bleed or exodus of the POGO is far from finished,” said Bromhead Chief operators leaving the country,” said Danny Too, Operating Officer Mae Javaluyas. “We have general manager of Cherry Interactive. “They fielded a number of inquiries recently from have also come to a realization that the 5 percent both operators and service providers either

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Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

looking to come to the Philippines or re-establish existing businesses here.” As well as direct revenue for the government, the sector was also providing significant support for other areas of the Philippine economy, accounting for a significant portion of Manila’s real estate industry. David Leechiu, chief executive officer of Leechiu Property Consultants told local media that POGOs left 300,000 square meters of office space unoccupied last year or 20 percent of the total. He said he expected the Supreme Court reprieve to stem the exodus, which may have meant another 200,000 to 300,000 sq.m would have been lost in the next six months. In an attempt to rein in illegal gambling and to boost revenue, PAGCOR announced in December that it would allow locals to gamble online. Land-based casinos will be able to accept bets from VIP players only, while a unit of DFNN has also been awarded a license.

SOUTH EAST ASIA 25

BoA upbeat on Westside City prospects Bank of America/Merrill Lynch has added its voice to other recent commentary pointing to significant upside for Summit Ascent due to optimism over its projects in Russia and the Philippines. Westside City in Manila is expected to have 400 tables, 400 rooms for the casino hotel and 1,200 slot machines. In addition, Westside/Megaworld will develop a further 2,000 hotel rooms. The firm sees strong local markets and a good location to help the resort to generate GGR of HK$9.6 billion in 2024 and EBITDA of $1.9 billion. It adds this estimate may be conservative as its 37 percent less than Bloomberry Resorts’ Solaire, which is slightly smaller in scale.

Razon leads push to bring Moderna vaccine to Philippines Bloomberry Resorts CEO Enrique Razon is spearheading efforts to bring Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine to the Philippines, consolidating orders from the wealthy class, business organizations, and other interested parties. Razon is also chairman of International Container Terminal Services Inc and has been in talks with Moderna to bring in the vaccine, which may be delivered from May to August, the Philippine Star reports. The company’s charitable arm also recently announced it was sponsoring the construction of the first hospital in San Andres, Quezon.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

FOCUS 26

Going green for growth The push towards a more sustainable global future has certainly received its fair share of knocks over the past four years, with Covid-19 presenting a further major challenge for the environment.

he epidemic has slashed budgets, but also created a whole new wave of single-use plastics and other hygiene products that are now choking our landfills. That said, the IR market had been and still is taking major steps towards a greener future. The environmental impact of a large-scale resort is potentially major, from food waste to water usage, to energy and litter. Many operators are now pioneers in seeking to offset the damage with green initiatives. In the focus section of this magazine, we look at the issue of sustainability seen through the eyes of some of the guests on our “Face-to-Face” interview series in recent weeks. Frederic Jean-Marie Winckler, executive vice president and chief creative and brand officer of Melco Resorts & Entertainment talked to us about the changing face of luxury fashion. Customers are demanding more information about where products are sourced to ensure they are ethical and sustainable. While there is also a shift in mentality from the conspicuous consumption that has driven the luxury market for decades. We also speak to Chris Rogers, a long-time Asia

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

gaming executive who now is following his passion and focusing on improving sustainability in the IR industry. Rogers admits that the past year has been challenging due to tight budgets, but he’s pushing ahead to a brighter and greener future. To illustrate just how much IRs consume and dispose of, we bring you an infographic focused on Melco Resorts & Entertainment, which has declared a war on waste. The company said it saved 9.5 tonnes of plastic waste in its properties in 2019 by rejecting the use of single-use plastics, such as straws and single-use bottles. That’s just the beginning with other major initiatives in the works. In fact, Macau’s operators have all been making major strides. Melco recently said it’s pushing ahead with a project with Winnow Vision to bring AI solutions to its properties in order to cut down on food waste. Winnow Vision is singularly focused on helping the business reduce kitchen waste and cut down on kitchen-related expenses. It uses cameras combined with smart scales and machine learning – the same type of technology that today’s autonomous vehicles use – to analyze food waste in order to determine the losses they represent to the company in terms of both a financial and an environmental impact. MGM China has introduced what it says is Macau’s first food digester, deploying the ORCA system. This innovative technology allows the company to dispose of food waste on-site and will digest the organic waste into earth-friendly liquid within 24 hours. It will divert around 398 tons of food waste per annum from the incineration plant. Wynn Macau has also been aggressively exploring innovative methods to reduce plastic waste. It recently pioneered the installation of the Nordaq 2000 Refilling System, jointly designed and developed by Nordaq and Wynn. The system can meet the significant demand for bottled water in large-scale integrated resorts and represents a big step forward in the field of innovative environmental protection for the industry. As a result of its 2019 performance, Sands was the only Integrated Resort company named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America and one of only 10 companies in North America named to the CDP “A” list for both climate change and water security. Once the Covid-19 blip recedes, these initiatives are likely to gather pace, as it becomes increasingly clear that what’s good for the planet can also be good for the bottom line.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

FOCUS 28

Michael Penn

Executive editor, AGB Nippon

Demand for sustainable luxury grows Frederic Jean-Marie Winckler, executive vice president and chief creative and brand officer of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, sat down with AGB Executive Editor Michael Penn at the end of last year to discuss both the recent trends within the Asian luxury market as well as what the future holds in store.

inckler says that Asians have been playing a dominant role in the luxury market for some time, although for years this has been partially disguised by the fact that many of their purchases—indeed about two-thirds—were made overseas in Europe, Japan, and elsewhere. This has now changed. With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the dominance of the Chinese luxury market has become obvious, both because most of their purchases have been confined to the domestic market due to the collapse of international travel, and because China has done a much better job handling Covid-19 than most other advanced

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Digitization has been thrown about a decade ahead into the future by the pandemic.

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nations, allowing the economy to grow again. A characteristic of the Chinese luxury market, in particular, is the relative youth of many of the customers, and among these young people the taste for luxury goods has come early. In this connection, the pandemic has forced the brand companies selling luxury goods to embrace the youthful digital world in a way that they wouldn’t have done, at least not so quickly, had the more traditional marketing options such as print magazines remained viable. Thus we have witnessed the rapid rise of livestreaming, which turned out to be a highly efficient means of reaching the luxury customers. In Macau, Winckler sees recovery in the market being driven by premium mass, which encompasses

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

many people with a considerable amount of disposal

income, making them ideal targets for the expansion of luxury spending. One immediate result has

FOCUS 29

been that even with far fewer customers coming to Macau in 2020, retail sales in some categories have equalled or even exceeded the pre-pandemic era. This is also partly driven by the fact that many

Chinese who might otherwise have spent in Hong Kong are spending in Macau. Winckler says that there is plenty to be excited about going forward as well. Several distinct movements have been converging. First, digitization has been thrown about a decade ahead into the future by the pandemic, and this is creating an explosion of opportunities that are only starting to be realized. One often less-appreciated aspect is that digital formats add a crucial tool that

allows companies to create better channels of communication with their customers, both in terms of marketing products and services as well as in allowing the customers to express more directly their own preferences and expectations. A second movement to watch is how global brands, more keenly aware of how dominant the Asian market has become, are beginning to create products that are either aimed entirely at the Chinese market or at least designed with them first and foremost in their minds. This trend can be expected to gain steam even among the established luxury brands of capitals such as Paris and Rome. Finally, a third movement flowing into

the other two is the recognition of the importance of sustainability. This comes into play not only in terms of the sourcing of the materials used in the products, but also with the growing popularity of secondhand or “preowned” merchandise. Perhaps in the past such a concern with sustainability might have been unthinkable within a luxury market that prized conspicuous consumption. Traditionally, this has even been a mark of wealth and power. In the 21st century, however, this attitude has become increasingly out of step with contemporary concerns. Brands are now fielding questions from their luxury customers about sustainability issues, and therefore they are obliged to proactively respond.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

In 2016, a report presented at the World Economic Forum claimed that plastic rubbish will outweigh fish in the oceans by 2050. It's a staggering realization and one that prompts us to think about waste in our industry. Today, we take a look at what one of Asia's leading integrated resort operators has been doing about plastic waste.

Was avoided by Melco in 2019 through the implementation of its SUP saving practices. were removed from staff areas in 2019, equivalent to 3.5 tonnes to PET plastic. Melco made the decision to replace plastic straws with reuseable metal and paper alternatives.

In 2019, Melco became the first and only integrated resort to sign the New Plastics Global Commitment.

By the end of 2020, Melco plans to reduce the number of bottles across all guest areas. Melco has been trialing water refilling stations across its properties. It is estimated that this will eliminate approximately two million plastic bottles annually.

The company is working to replace all single-use F&B utensils and containers with biodegradable alternatives by 2025.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

Melco has been encouraging its suppliers to engage in sustainable packaging practices. Melco reported a 25% reduction in plastic from its suppliers in 2019.

FOCUS 31

Covid-19’s silent victim The social and economic impact of the coronavirus should not be understated, however, there is a lesser known victim of the coronavirus that hasn’t received as much media attention over the last year - our environment.

sia Gaming Brief recently sat down with Chris Rogers, a long-time gaming executive who recently co-founded Kroll Enviro Asia, a company aimed at solving sustainability issues within the integrated resorts industry. With the coronavirus pandemic plaguing the world, Rogers pointed out that the supply and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) has skyrocketed over the last year. PPE, including face masks and gloves have been instrumental to our personal safety and well-being, but it is also piling into our landfills and polluting our oceans at an astronomical rate. Around 36 pairs of gloves are produced and disposed of each time a person receives a dose of the coronavirus vaccine, said Rogers. With more than 2.5 billion people estimated to receive the vaccine by the end of 2021, that means we’ll be seeing at least 90 billion pairs of gloves added to the world’s landfills just from vaccines alone. “Every straw that we got rid of, every disposable cup,

Felix NG

AGB Asia Editor

and travel bans pushing GGR to record lows in 2020. Rogers noted that understandably, the conversation around environmental sustainability has had to be pushed down the line. “Most people and operators that we’ve spoken to have [sustainability] goals that they want to achieve… but first things first, they have to be profitable and that their businesses are right before they can invest in sustainability projects. It’s been difficult over the last 12 months.” Looking ahead, Rogers expects that the industry will continue to closely watch developments related to the covid-19 pandemic, but hopes that 2021 will see some stability in the markets, which would allow for companies to have the confidence to reinvest in their businesses again. “You have to be proactive, you can’t sit back and consume. Our resources aren’t infinite, we have to manage ourselves and our planet, and everything we use much better. We are [the gaming industry] a small part of that but it’s all important, everyone has to do their bit.

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Most people and operators that we’ve spoken to have [sustainability] goals that they want to achieve.

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cutlery, shopping bag has now just been countered by the amount of gloves that are going to be administered around the world,” said Rogers. “I don’t think we will see the full impact of that for another few years.” Environmental sustainability has been one of the long-standing passions in Rogers’ life. Whilst he focused much of his time in the past with companies developing gaming products and technology, his latest venture has him delivering environmental products to all manner of companies and organizations, including casinos in the Philippines and Macau. Unfortunately, those same casinos have been dealing with the brunt of the covid-19 pandemic, with closures

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SOUTH ASIA

INDIA

Kit L. Szybala*

Partner and Executive Director of Operations, Global Market Advisors

Paving a path forward in India Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s gaming market has been subject to the same litany of impacts experienced in the rest of the gaming world. Goa and Sikkim’s land-based casinos were forced to be closed for several months.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SOUTH ASIA

he government in Goa even waived at new opportunities. Sayta extrapolates, license fees for its market’s casinos to “Meghalaya is one state which is actively help them navigate this difficult time. looking at allowing land-based casinos and Nearby casinos in Nepal, which are has recently passed an ordinance for regulation heavily reliant on Indian customers, have also of all kinds of gaming activities. We will have felt the brunt of the pandemic as their casinos to see the rules and licensing norms that they were forced to be closed on March 20, 2020 and come up with, but it looks as if there will be have not yet been able to reopen. positive movement in the state.” Like many other jurisdictions across This gaming expansion will include online the world, several Indian state governments gaming activities surrounding games of chance have focused on the gaming issue during this and sports betting. time. Some decided to Puducherr y is outrightly ban gaming another union territory offerings within their that has been exploring communities. casino expansion, mainly Like many Vidushpat Singhatargeting of fshore nia, Managing Partner c asino exp ansion. other jurisdictions at Krida Legal, opined However, their decision across the world, on these recent bans, on the matter has several Indian “Card games of skill been delayed due to are facing a bit of a political considerations. state governments challenge in India with Additionally, Singhania have focused on the recent ban on games points out further online of skill for stakes in expansion is occurring the gaming issue Andhra Pradesh and in West Bengal where during this time. Tamil Nadu.” the “government issued These states have an online betting license joined Telangana in a to the Royal Calcutta ban of poker and other Turf Club.” He states, card games of skill. Many pundits believe that “these operations are likely to start soon.” Karnataka and potentially Kerala are likely to India’s largest gaming operator, Delta Corp follow. These bans were largely driven by gaming Limited, recently announced that they will be addiction and related health concerns that were developing an “integrated resort” in the northern observed throughout the quarantine period. border city of Pernem in Goa. This facility is Other states have somewhat stalled their expected to offer a diverse array of non-gaming progress regarding gaming expansion. As an amenities, albeit with limited electronic-only example, the populous state of Maharashtra gaming, and will target nearby residents of (home to Mumbai) has still not moved forward Maharashtra among other markets. While the with land-based gaming expansion despite the Goan government originally planned to open an fact that the Maharashtra Casinos Act of 1976 integrated resort zone near the Mopa Airport in already exists and only needs to be notified. Pernem and move the offshore casinos in Panaji However, the state has made some expansion onto land, this move by Delta could be a play progress with the Royal Western India Turf Club to solidify itself as first to market ahead of this recently receiving permission to take online bets broader land-based expansion. on races held at the race courses in Mumbai Some local pundits believe that this and Pune. Through the Paytm First Games could spur further expansion in neighboring platform, the group has been taking bets since Maharashtra, but it is still unclear whether January 10, 2021. this expansion will be a catalyst for gaming This is one sign among many that provide progress in that state. Two of the challenges hope for the broader Indian gaming market that have always limited the opportunity for from an expansion perspective. Casinos in non-locals to enter the Indian gaming market Goa and Sikkim have now been open for the are the lack of gaming regulations and the last few months. According to Jay Sayta, a issue surrounding foreign direct investment. gaming lawyer based in India, the two market’s Both of these issues need to be addressed in casinos are almost back to normal in terms the near future to fully develop the Indian of footfall and revenue. gaming market and attract outside investment. The pandemic has led several states, Other nearby markets and operators have neighboring markets, and operators to look also become more interested in the Indian

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gaming opportunity. Gaming expansion is expected in certain provinces of Nepal. It has been reported that new, large casinos will be developed in the Jhapa province, with some new casinos expected to open in 2021. Additionally, there are several new gray and black market developments occurring from an online gaming and sports betting perspective. Tim Shepherd, Senior Partner of Fortuna Investments, who invests in gaming projects across the region, notes that “the market used to be dominated by British bookies and underground Indian groups. However, more recently several European operators and Chinese groups began targeting India in a very big way. Interestingly, it seems that these groups have not taken market share, but instead have made the market a lot bigger.” As outside groups begin to illegally capitalize on the Indian market and as legal operators begin to build out new markets in various states, other Indian legislators will likely take notice and begin to consider expansion in their own communities. Despite the hurdles that this pandemic has put before India’s gaming market, stakeholders continue to pave a path forward for gaming across the country. *Kit L. Szybala is a Partner and Executive Director of Operations with Global Market Advisors (GMA).

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SOUTH ASIA 34

INDIA

Delta creates ripples with Goa IR plans One gaming operator to watch in 2021 will be India’s Delta Corp., whose stock got a mid-month bump in December after it announced it had received approval in principle to build an integrated resort on shore in Goa.

he company is India’s largest and only listed casino operator and holds three of the six offshore licenses in Goa’s Mandovi River. It also has a casino in the northern state of Sikkim, is expanding into Nepal and has an integrated resort in the Union Territory of Daman for which it’s awaiting a casino license. In addition, Delta also owns online poker and cards company Adda52, giving it a significant position in the booming online gaming market. However, the news the company will push ahead with a resort in Pernem in northern Goa may be a game changer for the industry in the country. Investors thought so, pushing its shares up more than 3 percent on the day of the announcement. The company will transfer all of its offshore operations to the new resort, which will include hotels, a water park, retail, a convention center and a multiplex cinema. Delta specified that the IR will have an “electronic” casino, indicating however that the government has not yet changed its stance when it comes to offering table games in land-based properties. Delta has acquired about 100 acres of land in Pernem, and expects the cost of shifting its operations from its floating casinos to be between 1,200 and 1,500 crore. “The integrated resort is expected to be one of its kind in the country,” Delta said. “The

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

project is expected to boost tourism, employment and infrastructure of the state of Goa.” India is seen as one of the most promising gaming destinations in Asia. Online skill-based gaming is legal and booming, despite court challenges at the state-level in several areas. Its tourism sector is also expanding as consumer spending power grows, with a 25.3 percent jump in domestic visits to individual states in 2019

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The project is expected to boost tourism, employment and infrastructure of the state of Goa.

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Delta now has more than 2,000 gaming positions in India. It’s also expanding its operation in Sikkim following the opening of the Pakyong Airport, which has greatly improved accessibility to the remote area. It received a license to open at the Marriott Hotel in Kathmandu in Nepal in January last year, when it said operations would begin “soon,”

before the Covid-19 crisis took hold. Delta describes its luxury resort in Daman as being “casino ready,” but it still has not received government approval more than six years after opening. Despite that, Chairman Jaydev Modi said prior to the pandemic that its hotels in Goa and Daman were breaking even at an EBITDA level, as the latter is the only five-star property in the region and is being seen as a weekend getaway. “It has fast emerged as a perfect destination for large-scale weddings and also caters to the MICE segment,” he said. In 2019, the company also entered the gaming cruise industry through a $10 million investment in the Essel Group’s Jalesh Cruises, under which it will become the preferred partner for gaming centres and casinos on all their cruise liners. In the online sphere, it added to its portfolio with an investment into fantasy gaming portal HalaPlay. As with nearly all other casino operators, Covid-19 put a dent in the company’s rapid growth in 2020. The casinos were shuttered in March and reopened for operations in the first week of November. “The general expectations are that normalcy could be gradually restored by the end of financial year 2020-2021,” Delta said, after reporting it had swung to a loss of Rs2.05 in the three months to end-September, compared with a profit of Rs 2.18 in the same period a year earlier.

SOUTH ASIA 35

STATE OF GAMBLING

INDIA DELHI

PUNJAB

NEP

AL ASSAM

Meghalaya to regulate online gaming

WEST BENGAL DAMAN

MAHARASHTRA

TELANGANA

GOA

TAMIL NADU ALA

India’s online skill gaming industry has collectively recommended a policy think tank of the Indian national government, NITI Aayog, to establish a new institution to standardize regulations governing the whole of the skill-based industry and not just fantasy sports. Sameer Barde, CEO of The Online Rummy Federation issued a statement noting, “It is a brilliant move to have fair regulations for the online skill gaming industry in India… But at the same time, it is paramount to understand that fantasy games are only a part of the entire skill gaming industry. There is an equal, if not a larger need, to regulate the broader skill gaming industry.” The industry is arguing that a national regulatory body can ensure that taxes are fairly paid and that illegal operators can be identified and eliminated. This would be of significant economic benefit to the public.

MIZORAM

MADHYA PRADESH

KER

Industry pushes for regulation for all skill games

NAGALAND

KARNATAKA

The state of Meghalaya has approved an ordinance to regulate online gaming to raise revenue. Cabinet Minister James Sangma said gaming today has emerged as one of the most popular pastimes globally and Meghalaya is no exception, and the decision was also taken after taking the views of the law and finance departments. “In order to regulate gaming within the state and to bring revenue to the state government, we felt it necessary to enact a law for the same, and therefore, the cabinet has approved the draft ordinance,” he said.

L CHA NA SH ARURADE P

SIKKIM

LOTTERY SKILL GAMES / ONLINE GAMING PHYSICAL CASINOS SPORTS BETTING HORSE RACING BETTING

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 36 ARUZE GAMING

Aruze launches Wheels of Prosperity

1XBET

More esports and better apps

ew Year - new updates. This motto has been adopted in 2021 by worldclass bookmaker 1xBet, with developers continually improving the product. It’s time to find out about the brand’s new solutions. Many players choose 1xBet because they like to place bets from their smartphones. Convenient applications for both iOS and Android help with this. An update was released with improved live statistics of football matches. Plus, the new Featured Events function is a highlight. With its help, you no longer need to search for an event to bet on: based on your previous betting history, 1xBet will offer selections of what you may like. 1xBet always finds new ideas for diversifying the enjoyment of users. How about a single bet on 6 matches? It’s possible! Now in the markets of this reliable bookmaker, you can find bets of this type: “Home (goals) - Away (goals), 6 matches”. If you think that within the next round of the Premier League in these 6 matches the visitors will score more - feel free to place a bet and follow with interest not a single game, but the round as a whole! It’s important for gamblers to have maximum information for a prudent bet. 1xBet understands this, and therefore it elevates convenience and access to statistics to a new level. With recent updates on the 1xBet website, users simply hover their mouse over the match’s name to see the statistics of the latest meetings between the teams. A convenient feature that allows you to fully assess the situation before the game. 1xBet is known as one of the flagships in the esports industry. The company sponsors leading brands and offers its players a wide variety of events. There are plenty of disciplines already, but the section is growing even more. Now users can bet on tournaments of the popular Overwatch game - a great addition to the already wide range of esports markets. It is even more convenient for iPhone users to spin the roulette wheel Of course, there are also exciting updates to the iOS application. In addition to minor edits designed to maximise user experience, the Casino section has been revised. Now players have access to an updated design, making it even more convenient to find their favourite slots, enjoy the games and relish the victories. 1xBet entered 2021 with a ton of innovations, but this is only the beginning of the year. Even more bold ideas and solutions await us with this leading bookmaker.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

ruze Gaming has announced the launch of the 5 reel, 243-way games, Wheel of Prosperity Dragon and Wheel of Prosperity Phoenix in the Asian market. Both are available on the Muso Curve-43 cabinet. In both titles, three Wild symbols trigger a wheel spin during the base game. The wheel will award either Free Games or up to 18x for the triggering spin. Wilds also signal a jackpot chance. If triggered during this chance, the wheel above the reels will become an all-jackpot wheel, which will spin once and award a jackpot. Wheel of Prosperity Dragon and Wheel of Prosperity Phoenix each have a unique Free Games series. Wheel of Prosperity Dragon awards 8 Free games. Any win with a Wild symbol will trigger a wheel spin, awarding up to a 38x multiplier. Wheel of Prosperity Phoenix has a Free Games wheel that can award up to 25 Free Games on the initial spin, and is spun again anytime 3 Wild symbols appear during Free Games. Simple, powerful gameplay awaits on Wheel of Prosperity! Two additional titles for the Wheel of Prosperity series are planned for release beginning with Wheel of Prosperity Tiger.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 37 ALL-IN-ONE

Localizing for the Indian market

ndia is one of the hottest iGaming markets. But how do you localize your content in a country where the language can change every 15-20 kilometers? Roy Pedersen, founder of the first company to offer translation services specifically for the iGaming industry (2008) commented on the demand for Indian languages lately from operators, game developers, platform providers and affiliates alike. “For Hindi we have received as many projects in the last six months as we did in the last three years before that. Punjabi is the language with the second most growth, followed closely by Telugu, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada.” With 122 languages spoken by at least 10,000 people each, there are few - if any - linguistic landscapes that are harder to navigate than India. Localization and content budgets aren’t unlimited of course, so priorities need to be made here. So what type of approach does All-in Global recommend when localizing to India? Marina Ribeiro, the Marketing Executive at All-in advised: A customized localization strategy would always be the wisest choice. It can be one of your key advantages against the competition. If you have a well-defined geographic target and

focus on the regional language to communicate with your audience, your company can shine near a specific audience that will instantly feel more connected to your brand by being able to engage and find information in their own language,” Marina added one last tip: “Do not underestimate the cultural complexity. India is known for having one of the most diverse cultures around the world. It’s essential to

always validate your content by the attentive look of professional natives that can bring you the local factor and perspective to your content and really make a big impact on how your brand is perceived by your customers. When you move from one Indian territory to another the customs and cultural environment also change and those changes should be addressed and captured into your content.”

ASTROPAY

One Touch for immediacy and security

hroughout 2020, positive transformation has been driven by technology companies looking to reach new consumers among the millions of commercial interactions that now are held online. Regarding payments, the drift towards digitalization that was occurring, has been accelerated by the pandemic. This might be

the biggest change the industry has faced as there is no possibility to retrace it. The complexity that the payments ecosystem presents has led us to develop One Touch, a payment solution based on two pillars: immediacy and security. One Touch can be integrated from a simplified integration process through an

auto enrolment channel, with little to no IT intervention required on the merchant side. It provides the possibility of identifying users from a single code, as well as to have a closed loop on them diminishing the chances of fraud. Receiving deposits from a simple touch, with automatic approval for recurring users, generates greater fluency and less friction in the interaction between the merchant and its customers. KYC verification and identification controls are performed on the philosophy that payment services, apps and wallets are the best players to foster the relationship between user and service, since they are well positioned for best knowing the customer and tailoring the experience to their security and usability needs. As for 2021, we believe the focus will be in instantaneity, user experience and security. The innovations that were led by fintechs and wallets will be accelerated in 2021, and those that provide faster and tech-friendly ways of using money and paying for services will be at the forefront.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 38 ARISTOCRAT

Aristocrat introduces dynamic 2021 lineup

s a content and technology driven company, Aristocrat never ceases to innovate and create new concepts that support our customer’s business and cater to different player appetites. Our talented teams have continued to focus on the development pipeline during various lockdowns in Asia, to ensure that a robust portfolio of games are readily available for our ever-changing market, instilling confidence in the path ahead. Aristocrat maintained our commitment to the Asian market by continuing game builds throughout the crisis and as a result, we have a stronger portfolio in 2021 than ever before. In fact, we have increased our D&D investment year-on-year to ensure we have a suite of content readily available to support customers, regardless of form factor, as players continue to migrate back to properties throughout Asia. In the next 12 months, we are dedicated to strengthening the Asian market with over 30 new titles to be released which includes a variety of Links,

Standalone and Standalone Progressives. In the Link space, we are excited to debut a new product during Chinese New Year called Lucky Fortune Link. With two recognisable characters from classic Chinese literature, Da Sheng Yeah and the Great Empress Wu Ze Tian, Lucky Fortune was built in response to the player favourite Hold & Spin feature and will be launching with a new Picture Pays mechanic. Players can choose their lucky Chinese Zodiac in the Lucky Fortune feature, collect the Zodiac pictures to award the credit prizes and jackpot, while adjacent credit prizes combine to bigger symbols for bigger prizes. This product is a great fit for Chinese New Year and is ideal for operators to promote with “Sending Away the Year of Rat and Welcoming the Year of the Ox” (aka 送鼠迎牛). As we look forward at the year ahead, Aristocrat is committed more than ever to our continued partnership with our Asian customers by delivering our strongest portfolio yet.

BBIN

Moving beyond and driving change

he tumultuous year of 2020 has come to an end, and yet the challenges of the COVID19 pandemic continue to affect how we live, communicate, and do business. In the last year, BBIN has kept a close eye on how the global situation changed and settled into a new normality. These unprecedented challenges not only offer us a chance to reflect on who we are but create a moment to break through the stalemate and transform. BBIN endeavored to sustain the stability by quickly adapting to the regional changes in the key focus business areas and takes pride in walking through the crisis with its partners around the world. Looking forward to recovery this year, BBIN stands firm, aspires to move beyond the challenges and seizes the great opportunity to drive changes. BBIN’s latest brand video epitomizes such vision and prospects for the year of 2021. In the spirit of “move beyond, drive change,” BBIN is taking strides without hesitation and facing difficulties ahead to lead the way to success. On the one hand, BBIN will continue to enhance the product portfolio based on the latest UX research and data, which has changed greatly under the new social-distancing norms. It also continues to develop new integration tools that will provide the best gaming experience. On the other hand, BBIN keeps working hard to achieve the goal of a balanced and sustainable future. Through TGB Charity’s nonprofit campaigns, BBIN collaborates with the non-profit organizations around the world and insists on doing the right thing amidst one of the most difficult times in human history. For 2021, TGB Charity will delve deeper into several focus areas, including education, environmental protection, and wildlife conservation for raising the public awareness to relevant issues. With deeper engagement into these charitable activities, BBIN gives back to the community and society, hoping it can eventually drive changes and sustainable growth that lead us to a better tomorrow.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 39 BETGAMES TV

Rock, Paper, Scissors!!

etGames.TV, the leading live dealer betting games supplier, has launched a version of one of the most widely played social games the world has ever seen, Rock, Paper, Scissors. Thought to have been played by the Chinese Han Dynasty as far back as 206 BC, the game quickly became a common pastime across the world and arguably ranks as one of the most widely played games of all time. This modern, live dealer take on the classic sees the players compete against the dealer in one or two zones, silver, the less risky option, which is more rewarding in case of a tie and gold, riskier, yet more rewarding if won. The dealer uses a special deck of 24 cards, comprising eight of each rock, paper and scissors symbols, with one card dealt into each zone. Each betting round lasts 20 seconds in which the player must select their stake, and which of either, or both, zones to bet against. Only one symbol per zone is allowed. A win, lose or draw is decided after the dealer reveals their card. Both zones have the same margin (default 5 percent) but the difference is in the payout’s

distribution for draw and win. The payout system is configurable per partner and per zone. The simple, short game length drives a rapid turnaround and throughput of individual games. “As part of our drive to provide innovative new games, it is also sometimes prudent to consider the classics and Rock Paper Scissors is most certainly that,” said BetGames.TV founder and CPO Vygerdas Jonikas. “Alongside our stable of popular games, Rock Paper Scissors is sure to fit in well with its quick-fire and simple yet alluring gameplay. “We’re confident that our recreation of one

of the most recognisable and loved games of all time will provide huge scope for our operators to drive traffic to their sites.” Up until now, Rock Paper Scissors has not been fully explored in a betting environment, but based on its historical significance, accessibility and high-entertainment value, the potential for a betting provider is huge. With a host of live tournaments and competitions with substantial sums of money on offer, this contemporary table game version is poised to thrill players with its familiar feel and high win potential.

CPI

Ready for cashless gaming

ith the landmark decision by the Nevada Gaming Commission to allow changes to regulations surrounding the electronic transfer of money to games and gaming devices, the gaming industry has reached a pivotal payment moment. In a space that has long been dominated by cash, how can operators prepare for the digital shift? While operators accommodate new payment methods, they should seek modular solutions that connect directly to machines to enable mobile or app-based payments, without having to replace the existing payment

system. Focus on using existing peripherals with established protocols and regulatory approvals to quickly and economically enable these new payment methods. This transition will be as striking for players as it will be for casino operators. Operators and customer retention managers should take proactive steps to make sure their best players are aware of this new layer of flexibility. Whether through direct customer communications (text or email alerts) or existing digital media platforms, operators can alert customers to their new payment options

and ensure that they’re using them correctly. This is also a good opportunity to check in with customers about responsible gaming. Cashless payment is laden with rules and regulations when it comes to functionality and acceptance. For the gaming industry, it should be a top of mind priority for operators to have a keen attention to regulations surrounding ePayment. That being said, no one expects casino operators to be experts in the ever-changing world of payment regulations. Operators should ensure that their suppliers are in touch with payment requirements, have dedicated support teams, and work to keep their devices up to date and their customers educated. In an effort to keep customers happy, operators should continue to support cash, which will undoubtedly track as a preferred payment method across the industry. As we look to the new world of gaming that at-machine, cashless payment will deliver, there are actionable steps you can take to prepare your casinos. CPI is here to help when you’re ready to step into the future of payment, whatever that looks like for your business.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 40 EBET

DALLMEIER

“Little ones” grow up

he capabilities of miniature surveillance cameras are growing constantly – this is why for more than twelve years “the little ones” have also been among the most popular products made by Dallmeier. With the new Picoline Series 5050, casino users benefit from a system that provides innovative functions for ATMs, gaming tables, in-ceiling applications and many more. Customers are increasingly looking for cameras that combine value with high functionality. The Dallmeier Picoline series, which is completely developed and manufactured in Germany, features an H.265 encoder as well as a high-resolution image sensor with utmost light sensitivity.

Compared to classic digital WDR, the camera’s true HDR function guarantees much more detailed recordings, even within high dynamic range. Its “SmartBackfill” technology compensates network failures in a fully automatic manner, and a comprehensive portfolio for cross-system data protection and data security completes the concept of the cameras. The ONVIF-compatible (Profile S and T) camera series is available in compact and robust housing variants and is equipped with a fixed focus lens offering a focal length of up to 2.5 mm. The high resolution of this sensor as well as the image processing enable real-time recordings with a frame rate of up to 60fps. This makes the camera ideal for all applications that require the capture of fast movements in high resolution. The integrated real-time video analysis detects movements and objects in uncompressed images with functions such as ‘Intrusion Detection’ or ‘Line Crossing’. When used with Dallmeier recording systems and client software, the ‘SmartFinder’ function allows the semi-automated retrieval of events through the fast analysis of stored objects and metadata.

DIGITAIN

Optimism for the New Year

e, at Digitain, are very optimistic about this year, especially after our very successful performance in 2020. The highlights include the launch of our brand’s new headquarters in Yerevan; Digitown. As well as a new home for our teams, Digitown is also a business hub and a campus for local start-up technology businesses. Digitain is investing in the young people of Armenia by supporting the start-ups with free accommodation and digital mentoring. Other exciting plans for this year include a relaunch of our Table Football live streaming product, with a bigger studio, more professional players and more live games to look forward to. This year, we are also planning to launch

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

our new, luxury live dealer studio, also based in Digitown, where we will offer our network of partners a first-class, live casino experience. As well as these initiatives, we are also planning the Spring launch of a new suite of Digitain Fast and Skill games to add to our existing, exciting portfolio. A significant development will be the launch of our new and improved iGaming platform. This new platform will allow us to deliver even more flexibility to our customers. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning - where our algorithms learn and improve effectiveness over time – will deliver even more capacity to meet our customers’ needs, anywhere in the world. The iGaming platform will be a hub for easy integrations involving any of our products, through direct integration or via our APIs. In terms of other plans for 2021, we hope to expand our global footprint even further, after an excellent year for sales. We have recently appointed a Regional Director for Africa and are looking to follow this up with appointments in Asia and Latam.

eBET launches Speed Roulette Live

ollowing the great success of the East to West studio expansion last year, eBET continues to thrive and has revealed new expansion plans for 2021. According to eBET’s CEO Evan Spytma, the plan includes the opening of another studio in Europe and additional EU language support, setting a significant milestone in the company’s growing European presence. eBET has recently unveiled its first game release of 2021— Speed Roulette Live, giving off a great start to a series of exciting launches this year. Speed Roulette Live features a fast-paced, fully automated version of the original live roulette…except with no dealer! Instead, the ball is automatically released into the spinning wheel with a capability of 60-80 rounds per hour, spinning 24 hours a day in a live environment. Players can now bet with an automated real-time roulette guaranteeing a faster game completion and 100 percent error-free. Just like every other product provided by eBET, Speed Roulette Live is playable across all desktop and mobile devices. One hassle-free integration allows access to a range of diverse yet immersive casino games, including Baccarat, Roulette, Dragon Tiger, Sic-bo, Blackjack, and a new selection of games waiting to be announced soon. Founded in 2012, eBET has earned a reputation for the leading supplier of Live Dealer solutions in Asia. Trusted by millions of players worldwide, eBET’s award-winning products are GLI certified, localized in 15+ languages, 37 currencies (including cryptocurrencies), and fully supported on H5, Android, iOS, Mac, and PC. GLI certifications ensure all eBET games are fair, trustworthy and localized.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 41 EVERYMATRIX

Rewarding players with engaging experiences

2B tech provider EveryMatrix had its work cut out for it when players needed to quickly reroute from offline to online in the context of the pandemic. But, if there’s one thing that became clearer, it’s that adapting to the players’ needs is a business survival skill. So, when the casino sector saw a massive peak, EveryMatrix had to make sure it enabled its clients to smoothly cater to rampant numbers of new players. It was not an easy task, but accomplishing it turned 2020 into a great year for the company and operators on its casino platforms. Even more, it enabled EveryMatrix to enter 2021 with bold plans for expansion. The recently relaunched BonusEngine is the company’s latest tool to empower operators to deliver unlimited player rewards. The casino and sports betting bonus system is a flexible acquisition and engagement solution that significantly lowers costs and operational burdens. The functionalities of BonusEngine are delivered via an intuitive back-office that considerably simplifies bonus campaigns’ creation. The product reunites a multitude of casino and sports bonus types, with versatile triggers for

any bonus program, player eligibility filters, gamification and multi-level wagering. Bonus triggers, for instance, can be related to specific in-game activities or payment methods. Whether operators configure casino, sports or cross-vertical campaigns, they get numerous possibilities to enrich the player experience with

targeted rewards. What’s more, BonusEngine is an extremely agile product due to its modular software. It can swiftly accommodate new bonus types, triggers and other ingenious features. This means operators get a solution able to grow to meet their future needs, without limiting their creativity.

G&D

User friendly cash handling

he new BPS C2 family is a platform from which you can choose precisely the system you need, tailored to the required application, and optimized for your business. The system family features not only design excellence, but also unparalleled user-friendliness. With the BPS C2 we help casinos to improve the productivity of their cash centers through fast accounting and safe sensor technology for the verification of cash balances. BPS C2 achieves a consistent speed at 1,050

banknotes per minute during counting, sorting, authentication, and even when reading serial numbers. In the compact table-top system segment, the BPS C2 product family offers superior productivity, the utmost security, and a compact, attractive design with a very high level of user-friendliness. BPS C2 boasts the ultimate top-class sensor – fast, reliable, precise. The system’s remarkable capability to detect counterfeits and sort for fitness reliably and consistently throughout

the service life of the system is setting new standards. Extraordinary efficiency for futureproof operations. Intelligent software architecture ensures a simple and intuitive operation and also enables the user to make precise alterations to suit specific customer requirements, so offering maximum flexibility. Intuitive operation has been redefined – streamlined, unique, and scaled down to what’s important. Numerous interfaces make it easy to integrate BPS C2 into your processing environment and to fully leverage the versatile nature of networked industry. Modern tools, apps, and web services can be seamlessly included for customer processes that are efficient and cost-saving In addition, the choice of three variants – as well as a wide range of diverse and custom configurations – enables the systems in the BPS C2 family to fulfill the specific requirements that will take the efficiency of your cash process to a completely new level. BPS C2 system is the best choice for increasing your productivity and preparing you for future challenges in banknote processing.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 42 GARY PLATT

Monaco - royalty among casino seating

hen you think of the word Monaco, many images might immediately rush to your mind. The elegance and beauty of Grace Kelly. The thrill and edge of Formula One racing. Some of the world’s finest gaming houses. These are the images that inspired the Gary Platt design team to create the Monaco chair model, now one of the best-selling casino chairs in the world. One look at the Monaco’s razor-sharp details and it’s easy to understand why. The design stands out from any other casino chair and to maintain that uniqueness we were granted a design patent. The double stitching down the center of the back and seat creates a clean line reminiscent of the Circuit de Monaco. The back features customizable upholstery, with options for decorative nails or handles, for a dramatic look that is distinctive to each property. Beyond its chic essence, Gary Platt’s Monaco

chair embraces the unsurpassed comfort that separates Gary Platt chairs from all others. Inside the Monaco is Gary Platt’s exclusive cold-cured foam, which ensures consistency in the shape, density, and quality of each chair. Highly elastic, it retains its firmness even after years of use. Additionally, the Monaco has multiple ergonomic design elements such as its curved seat front that further enhance its comfort. Gary Platt’s unsurpassed quality extends to its extensive selection of bases, each of which is constructed of the finest materials and are assembled to the highest levels of quality for long-lasting durability. Gary Platt’s Monaco chair is available in a wide range of customizable configurations for every part of the casino, including slots, tables, bar top and sportsbook. Shown here is the Epic Pedestal, which is available in a fixed

or adjustable height configuration. Operators can also select the base finishing for an added touch of brand personality.

GENESIS GAMING

Genesis: People, passion and players

t is the people that make it. Passionate, attention to detail, going that extra mile and ultimately the focus on the players experience.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

There is an old gold miner’s saying, gold is where you find it, and with WYNLOCH KEEP and STORM RIDER, we believe we have.

WYNLOCH KEEP is a volatile game. We took this into consideration from the get-go to keep the player engaged while chasing those big hits, and the ultimate guaranteed win Jackpot round. It is a game players enjoy, often playing in turbo / autospin modes and wagering more as they do. Players can get that sense of potential value without having to get bogged down in rules. The unique reverse cascade locking win spin adds a great anticipation feeling of “you’ve won, now let’s see how much”. Wynloch Keep is one of our strongest performers. In short, players like it. Another game that has been a strong performer is our newest release STORM RIDER. Feel the adventure of storm riding trail cowboy, Cash Hawkins, on the range as he drives his free-range stallions to the Big Horn ranch. No storm can hold him back. The loner, fearless, and strong. Just man against nature. A man against the odds. This game is in the mid-high volatility range. We wanted strong feminine and male facets in the game and of course the beautiful horses. The art and audio in this game are stellar. It has a sense of romance and action adventure. The features and game flow were folded into this storyline to create a great slot game. Very entertaining, and memorable. It just has a heartland feel.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 43 GLI

Guaranteeing randomness

Gaming is growing rapidly all over the world, in both established and emerging jurisdictions. This exciting world of iGaming is attracting developers from outside the gaming industry who may not be as familiar with certain terms, and the GLI team helps developers navigate this new world. One common question is what is an RNG (Random Number Generator). In short, the RNG is the core of the gaming product. The RNG is a computer system or device that provides random results for games, and all gambling games use either an electronic RNG, or a physical randomness device (such as a roulette wheel) to produce random game results. An RNG is a critical component of iGaming that must be adequately and fully tested to ensure non-predictability and no biases exist towards certain game outcomes. A tested and certified RNG can give confidence to players

who participate in the game. In all regulated gaming markets, the RNG must be tested to be approved for use in the jurisdiction. GLI has the most experienced and robust RNG testing methodologies in the world. This includes software-based (pseudo-algorithmic) RNG’s, Hardware RNG’s, and hybrid combinations of both. GLI uses custom software written and validated through the collaborative effort of our in-house mathematicians and industry consultants. An RNG Test Suite is applied for randomness testing. GLI also uses software to perform certain calculations, estimations, and graphical plotting with the data used during the evaluation. When an RNG passes certification testing, it is issued an RNG certificate, and this certificate does not have a specific expiration date. Regulated jurisdictions may change or update their rules

from time to time, which may eventually lead to a need for updated testing. For regulated jurisdictions, the RNG should be tested against the proper standard requirement. Some jurisdictions may accept a GLI-19 certification directly, but most will require that the RNG be certified against their requirements. Because GLI-19 overlaps well with the requirement of many markets, transferring your testing may be a simple process in many cases.

HABANERO

Totem Towers melds culture with adventure

pre-Conquistador rainforest is the mystical setting for Habanero’s feature-packed new game, Totem Towers. Invoking the spirit of the Maya, this exciting 6x3 adventure immerses players within a serene setting inhabited by the ancient civilisation. Players are challenged to land three, four, five or even six scatter symbols, resulting in 10, 15, 25 or 100 free games respectively. Habanero’s reliably realistic visual effects and captivating sounds are present in this exciting adventure, in which intrepid explorers can also experience the Totem Tower feature. Triggered when several high or low symbols of the same colour change to multipliers, the thrilling Line Boost mechanic releases up to 101 new paylines for the player whose fortunes are looked upon favourably by the Mayan deities. An action-packed adventure through the ages, Totem Towers also incorporates the supplier’s cutting-edge Jackpot Race solution. A ‘must drop’ functionality combines with poker-style pay-outs in a progressive series that is customisable and configurable in the back office – a factor that has proven popular with operator partners in the two years since its launch. Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero, said: “We are

proud to add Totem Towers and its innovative feature set, alluring theme and razor-sharp graphics, to our high-tech roster of games. It’s a title that sends players on a memorable quest deep into a captivating setting and contains plentiful mystery and intrigue packaged together in the sort of quality gaming experience our

fans have come to expect. “It’s also fantastic to be able to offer this title to Habanero’s partnership network, which continues to flourish thanks to our recently acquired MGA licence – a milestone we are very excited about and which will deliver the game to numerous tier-one brands.”

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 44 IDNERD

Making your content roar!

s your content making an impact? Is it delivering returns? Is it turning the heads of all your potential customers? idNerd Studio has delivered bespoke premium animated content to the casino gaming & hospitality sector in Asia for over a decade. In more recent years, we’ve noticed a growing interest in immersive technologies. More and more users are being drawn to the sensory-inducing world of imagination and fantasy that digitized entertainment offers. We’re sure you have noticed audiences admiring huge outdoor displays that project hyperrealistic 3D animated elements. It’s a masterstroke marketing move to engage consumers, offering potential for viral coverage. This is the new era’s version of guerilla marketing - experimental, alternative, and it’s working. The digitalization of entertainment has always been the focus of our work at idNerd Studio in

Hong Kong. In light of recent technology shifts, idNerd Studio is even prouder to lead the way for technology disruption and change the way content is displayed. If you’re looking to become an industry leader for innovative marketing, get in touch with idNerd Studio today. idNerd Studio supplies and offers our world-leading clients a trademark automated show control system, “X-Vis”. The software is specifically designed for high-quality content on large-screen LED and TV wall displays. Combined with our expert team of storytellers, illustrators, artists and animators, we can create your very own animated, immersive content. Our studio is frankly one-of-a-kind - just like your content should be. We are grateful to clients for wanting to be at the forefront, leading the pack of this new world. In our latest project in Macau, at MGM Cotai, we feature a larger-than-life lion

roaring across urban Macau to welcome in the Chinese New Year. The statement is clear: get with the times and you’re king of the jungle.

IDX GAMES

Innovating in Hoiana

he installation also marks IDX Game’s first integration with Interblock Gaming, the world’s number one luxury electronic table games developer and supplier. It is also the first installation where IDX utilises their dynamic casino trend-board system, X-Trend. X-Trend is an interactive and dynamic casino

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

gaming trend-board system that drives real-time triggers and animations for game results. The system provides more information to players and alerts them to valuable game insights. X-Trend is available for integration into any model of ETG, and also features as a module on the company’s live table games system,

‘X-Table’. X-Trend not only adds more excitement and entertainment value to the table games experience but generates more play, increases player engagement, and speeds up gameplay. “This is the first integration of X-Trend on an ETG stadium, but many of our ETG installations benefit from the host of features offered in our X-Stadium product, including ‘Hot Tables Hot Trends’, ‘Lucky 6’ and many other marketing opportunities. Now, we bring attention to side bets and display the live odds in an entertaining way that customers will notice and enjoy more,” says IDX Games’ CCO, Peter Johns. X-Stadium is IDX Games’ advanced show control system for ETGs. Using their ‘One Canvas’ solution, X-Stadium increases flexibility and marketing opportunities to drive revenue. The system is used extensively in Macanese casinos where ETGs represent over 35% of the EGM market. “Hoiana Suncity plans to attract players from all over Asia with their modern casino offerings. The casino features more than 350 slot machines and electronic table games, as well as 90 live table games in Phase One alone,” says IDX Games’ CEO, Peter KY Wong, “The team at Hoiana has designed and opened a fantastic resort, and have been open to bringing innovative concepts to the gaming floor - a true first for the Asian market. We wish them all the luck in their business.”

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 45 INTERBLOCK

New products for the new normal

he global challenges of 2020 have not affected the ability of Interblock to innovate new products and features to adapt to the new normal. The Universal Cabinets and Roulette Golden Ball are the fruit of Interblock’s labour for taking on 2021 and beyond. The Universal Cabinets (UCs) operate with either an electro-mechanical RNG (real dice for Craps/Sic Bo) topper or a mechanical display of video (Roulette, Baccarat and Blackjack) topper with a spinning wheel and actual flip cards. The UCs offers a flexible configuration for floor placement in a single stand-alone unit or carousels of 3, 4 or 5 UCs with maximum social distancing and player’s comfort at its

core design considerations. All favourite ETG side bets from the G5 Diamond range are available with multiple language support for a fully personalised experience. The Roulette Golden Ball is a unique feature utilising Interblock’s multiple ball changer technology and offers Golden Ball Mystery and Lucky Ball Mystery side bets. Golden Ball Mystery side bet wins up to 500:1 if the roulette ball lands on one of the six randomly selected roulette numbers represented by the letters G, O, L, D, E and N. Lucky Number Golden Ball side bet allows the player to place a bet on a lucky number. The appearance of a golden ball guarantees a chance to win 3:1 unless the golden ball lands on a chosen number, which pays 350:1. Whenever a golden ball comes out, the user interface changes to a golden glow, coupled with an attractive audio-visual display around the Roulette rim and a 42” Player Information Display (PID). The side bets increase the hold of the traditional Roulette single zero and double zero games, increase occupancy and appeal to new types of players. “Interblock has been working tirelessly to take years of innovation into a commercial reality with new products and features. It is a pleasure to offer to our valued customers and their members. We hope 2021 brings a better future for our industry,” said Michael Hu, President of Asia for Interblock.

IGT

The solution for the ‘new normal’

“W

e all know how heavily the industry has been impacted by COVID-19, but the crisis has shown how our customers that invested in our ADVANTAGE system really did have an advantage,” said Nelson Cheung, System Sales, IGT Asia. “We’ve continued to invest in the IGT ADVANTAGE system to enable flexible, unique and personalised experiences for high-end players, that maximise ROI per player when our customers most need it.” “Our cashless gaming solution coupled with innovative bonusing has enabled customers to generate greater profits and manage their gaming floors more effectively during the crisis. The reduction in cash handling has lowered costs and risk while providing a safer environment for staff and customers,” Nelson added. “To enhance marketing, operators have created personalised player experiences using the intelligence of Advantage Bonusing, and customising a variety of pre-packaged, turnkey media to delight their players and grow their time on floor.” “It’s a flexible solution as it can run on a single game, a bank of games or across the entire floor. As with all our customer partnerships, we work together on a launch plan with creative support to ensure successful launches,” Nelson concluded.

JCM

FUZION sets new standards

otal casino peripheral management is possible with JCM’s FUZION systems technology. GLI-certified, FUZION is an award-winning breakthrough that sets new standards in security, efficiency, and guest experience. When paired with JCM’s iVIZION bill validator and GEN5 Thermal Printer, FUZION meets multiple business needs. The FUZION system increases security because it monitors every EGM in real time for peripheral performance and suspicious activity. Security departments can finally track asset-totransaction with available high-resolution images of every note or ticket inserted into the EGM. FUZION brings new efficiencies across

the operation. With FUZION, cash box totals are tracked in real-time, and this reporting can dynamically adjust which cash boxes should be collected to streamline the slot floor drop. FUZION also provides intelligence for predictive maintenance and firmware download scheduling. FUZION enhances the customer experience in several ways. FUZION enables multi-currency acceptance, plus it enables the server to record image scans of bills and tickets to easily resolve last bill disputes. The connection to the GEN5 printer allows a ticket template creator and graphics printing to produce endless ticket formats and drive player behavior with new types of promotions. It can also print system-

generated tax forms. FUZION is another example of groundbreaking technological advancements from JCM. 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 integrated transaction management no other supplier can provide.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 46 JADE ENTERTAINMENT

Bringing back sports...and more

fter being closed for 10 months due to COVID restrictions, in January Jade Entertainment relaunched Jade Sportsbet at Okada. The relaunch is part of several initiatives to grow the sports betting market in the Philippines and over the next few weeks we will activate our New Sports betting and Interactive Platform. We are not part of a much bigger company; we are a local sportsbook provider with a focus on the Philippines market. This ultimately results in a product suited to your customer base in areas such as PBA, Local Volleyball & PFL, along with the usual worldwide competitions such as NBA, EPL Soccer & ATP/WTA Tennis events and many more… Our local trading team has full control over the pricing strategy for the business. This can be adjusted at a moment’s notice. We want to work together and collaborate with you. Is there something you want us to price? Do you want to take bets on Miss Universe or another local event? Just ask and we will create it! With our betting partners we bring unique markets for customers to bet on in the Philippines. Tools such as Bet Builder, same game multiples and flash markets are gaining huge momentum in Europe and the US and with us you can bring these great new features to the Philippines.

With the relaunch and our New Platform, we will start the rollout of not only retail over the counter sites, but also self-service terminal, phone betting and online privileged betting. Our special features include “Order Bet” where you order the odds you want, “Cashout”- At any point from now until the end of the game they can decide to take a “Cash Out” - the cash out amount changes with the gameplay. “Bet Builder” - In the past, combining markets from the same event was not possible due to one market potentially having a direct effect on the other. We also have an experienced trading team based in Makati that monitors activity. Our trading team will carefully select the pricing strategy down to the individual game level and in relation to customers we can make bespoke changes. Jade Entertainment has been Licensed by PAGCOR as a Sportsbook service provider and permitted to offer sports betting to PAGCOR licensed properties, including Integrated Resorts, casino’s, VIP slot clubs, e-Games and e-Bingo outlets.

KANGWON LAND

KL Saberi joins with online partners

n 2020, Kangwon Land under its own KL Saberi brand designed and manufactured 100 machines for the Kangwon Land Casino. Starting on the 28th of December for the duration of 7 days under strict supervision, it successfully installed 9 Game titles including, 88 Mystic Fortune Progressive, Dragon Ladder Progressive, and King of Atlantis. We are highly confident our new Stand Alone Progressive games will directly increase

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

sales for the Asian markets. Our expectations were fully confirmed at the launch of the 2020 Game at Kangwon Land Headquarters. Invited guests representing various sectors in our industry, overwhelmed by the quality of Kangwon Land games, were quick to acknowledge the high standard we were able to display. Furthermore, several contracts are currently being finalized with some major Online Gaming companies for the use of our games on their social gaming platforms for the global market. In 2021, some of our game titles will be launched and serviced by two of the major online gaming companies with high expectations. Since launching our products in 2017, Kangwon Land has had over 300 machines installed and serviced at casinos in Korea and overseas. When the COVID-19 issue is all resolved, our aim is not only to expand our presence in the Asian market but also to focus on Europe and South American markets to strengthen our position as a major player in the industry.

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-themed games Ba Fang Jin Bao, offering a four-level progressive with a 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 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 when six or more scattered train symbols land 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 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.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 47 LT GAME

Jackpot Series comes to Macau

T Game’s new “Jackpot Series” has just been approved for the Macau market, which contains a group of games that are straight forward, simple and perfectly suited for high denomination areas. The first two games approved in Macau “Jackpot Tornado” and “Jackpot Bonus” are having fantastic results in the North American market and other games in the series are due out soon. “Jackpot Bonus” has a classic game styling that embodies the nostalgia of a classical stepper game, with frequent free game features and exciting payback! “Jackpot Tornado” features the crescendo win feature. Bonus pays can ONLY be the same or higher! Look for the “Jackpot Alley Bonus” in the game with retrigger! Non-Progressive, Stand Alone Progress and Linked Progressive options are available with all Jackpot Series Games.

The games join LT’s large and varied portfolio, which also includes linked progressive games, such as Bowl of Gold. This Chinese culture-themed progressive has five levels of progressive and pick progressive features. The game is specifically designed for Asian players and is engaging with unique features. “Bowl of Gold” consists of three titles, and they are “Door to Riches”, “Gold Dragon’’, and “Golden Piggy’s Fortune”. If there is one thing all 3 titles have in common it is the 5 levels of progressive jackpots, as well as 5 jackpot bonuses payouts. With the same slot cabinets, LT has also introduced a series of “Table Game Slots” titles. “Paradise Roulette”, “Lucky 6 Baccarat”, “Golden Frog Baccarat”, and much more to come. All games are powered with REAL Dealer and wheel animations! The players will experience the same excitement as if they were playing the traditional table games

while enjoying their privacy and practicing social distancing. LT’s FAFA SLOT RGX 1000 is a new gaming cabinet that introduces a fascinating story line with exquisite animations, and a unique BINGO Jackpot, allowing players to control the gaming speed, but also to enjoy the excitement of both slot games and interactive games. The game, titles including “Fortune monkey”, “GOD of the SEA”, “Rank up Dragon”, “Fortune Master” and “Savannah King”, features a diversified culture and story backgrounds. Another brand-new LT Slot Game “TEKKEN” series has also hit the market. Being a famous Japanese media franchise, “TEKKEN” centered on a series of fighting video and arcade games, which have been very popular with players over decades. The game titles launched include “HEIHACHI”, “ASKUA” and “PANDA”.

certificated by KR Biotech Co., Ltd, Korea) “We are very excited to introduce CURE CLEAN LED Sterilizer to our customers,“ said Dave Holt, managing director of Matsui Europe. “Since the start of the global pandemic, we have been working hard investing and developing to prepare new anti-microbial products, such as our NOVA GUARD CHIP PROTECT which can be applied to all our

gaming chips. Now as the Covid 19 situation is still of great concern in many countries with second waves and new restrictions, by adding this LED Sterilizer to our product range we will help all our customers provide a safer, clean environment for their business.” CURE CLEAN is a global patent pending product and has obtained CE, FCC and KC Certification.

MATSUI

Boosting casino hygiene

he MATSUI Group says it has signed an agreement with PSYCURE CO., a digital therapy company based in Korea, for the authorized resale of LED Space Sterilizer “CURE CLEAN”. Through MATSUI’s Korean arm, M.G.M World, Psycure and MATSUI will join forces to sell and promote the technologies and products of LED Space Sterilizer produced by Psycure to the international market. Ms Heejin Jeong, General Director of Psycure commented “MATSUI Group is an authorized distributor in the casino and entertainment industry in more than 120 countries such as Macau, U.K and the U.S.A. With this MOU agreement, CURE CLEAN will be introduced through MATSUI’s existing customers.” LED Space Sterilizer’s CURE CLEAN is a new life concept electronic product. It sterilizes large spaces with safe 405 nm light in the visible-light range. Compared to conventional Ultraviolet (UV) sterilization methods which may be harmful to humans’ DNA, 405 nm light system is safe and harmless to the human body. With the HINS (High Intensify Narrow Spectrum) Space Sterilization method, it is certified that 99.9 percent of bacteria is inactivated including the COVID-19 virus. (Tested and

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 48 NOVOMATIC

Triggering a Lucky Twist

hese two Asian progressive titles thrill players, each with its own explosive Lucky Twist for the Link: Dynamite Dragon and Money Ki Neko present two distinct games on 30 lines with an electrifying array of bonuses, features and chances for the Progressives. Dynamite Dragon comes with scattered Dragons, Wilds on the three centre reels and a Pick & Win feature for instant Bonus prizes. 3 Lucky Twist symbols trigger the Lucky Twist Matrix feature with a central Prize Collection Wheel for extra spins, awards & prizes up to 100x total bet and jackpot segments for the Major and Grand.

Money Ki Neko features the traditional Chinese Lucky Cat that keeps its paws crossed as a Wild symbol, while random Xtra Stax adds additional thrills for each base game spin. A mini Bonus Feature yields instant prizes and 3 Lucky Twist symbols on the centre reels trigger the Lucky Twist Wheel feature that grants up to 3 prizes for each spin: extra spins, awards & prizes up to 100x total bet and jackpot segments for the Major and Grand. The Lucky Twist Linked Progressive offer is available for the latest NOVOMATIC single and curved screen cabinets.

ORION ART

Looking forward to reconnecting

rion Art has been a staple in the Macau and Asia gaming industry for well over 15 years, and we have watched Macau grow and its city skyline transform into the jewel it has become today. We completed our first project in 2006, installing a complete sign package into the brand-new Wynn Resort, and the special individuality of Macau has always been our primary focus. And in the 15 years since, our signs have become a prominent fixture in nearly all the casinos across Macau and the region. The 2020 pandemic has shown how quickly and completely this evolution can change. Like every company and small business in the industry, we have been deeply affected by the current pandemic – something that nobody was truly prepared for. We have had to make some impacting changes to

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

our company and business model, from downsizing to restructuring. Gone are the frequent trips from Sydney to Macau, to meet and talk with our customers on a personal, one-on-one basis. Now meetings are short video calls and lengthy emails. But most damaging was the loss of some of our friends and mentors in 2020. We do, however, look to a brighter future. Projects slated for 2020 are slowly starting to come back on-line this year, and while expectations are for a slow recovery beginning in 2021, we are eager to reconnect with our customers and friends in Macau and across the rest of Asia as soon as possible. We think everyone expects the industry to be a whole new entity when all doors are thrown open, and we look forward to the challenges and successes this change may bring.

PALTRONICS

Bringing in the new and updating classics

h what a year 2020 was! And just like you, Paltronics had to find ways to keep moving forward. This month Paltronics Australasia celebrates its 22nd birthday, and in 2020 Pal USA was created to continue our momentum in Linking Across the Globe! Although we were not able to fly throughout Asia – or anywhere in 2020 as we would normally, it gave us time to focus on developing some great new products for all venues; and to improve some classics with a shiny new set of wheels for existing customers that are ready to update their floors. During the year Paltronics will be releasing an updated version of our jackpot products, so look closely for the Paltronics Quantum Link jackpot management system and an exciting new style of jackpot links - Jackpot Prime, guaranteed to excite your players right in their slot seats. For the table enthusiast, strap yourself in for the release of Mystery Madness as it will spin its way onto almost any style of table product. And don’t forget Lucky Tie Baccarat and Lucky Ball Roulette from GES which continue to demonstrate strong performance as Paltronics grows its base throughout Asia. From everyone at Paltronics, we are ready for a brighter 2021 for each of us. And yet we also want to thank each of our customers who have supported us through our toughest year. We realise that it has not been easy for you, and we look forward to supporting you with a team and products you will continue to love. Paltronics is here to pitch in and we will continue to keep our direct contact with you to help your floor thrive.

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 49 PLAY ‘N GO

Play’n GO: The Home of MORE

ew year, more GO! As we move into a new year, we can reflect on past successes but must still keep an eye on the future. 2020 was a fantastic achievement for us; we promised our operators more games than ever before, and we delivered on that promise. Not only that, we gave them, and the markets, some of the best performing games of the year, like our highly anticipated slot sequel Reactoonz 2. But it didn’t stop there; we continued our legacy of innovation with new and exciting ways to play. Releases such as Gold Volcano, Diamond Vortex and Wildhound Derby brought new and exciting formats and features to audiences worldwide. But, as good as 2020 was, it’s time to look forward. There’s no resting on our laurels as we move into a brand new year with brand new challenges. This year we aim to continue providing the best content and moving our brand of entertainment to players in new areas of the globe; all the while providing our operating partners with the top-quality service they deserve to continue to engage their audiences. We’ve already begun with multiple releases

this year, including our Bull in a China Shop slot. This fun 5x3 slot follows a shop owner who thinks the best way to celebrate Chinese New Year is to bring a bull into his china shop; it doesn’t go well! The game features three types of free

spin feature, and players have the power to choose which one they play each time it’s triggered. It also includes a cool animation where the Bull Wild symbol bursts through from behind the reels, giving players a little something extra to enjoy.

PRAGMATIC PLAY

Pragmatic Play wheels out latest Live Casino innovation, Mega Roulette

aking a casino classic and reinventing it to appeal to a wider range of players through special features is a task that excites many a supplier and Pragmatic Play’s upcoming Live Casino release, Mega Roulette, does just that. Broadcast from a specially designed, state of the art studio, Mega Roulette puts players in a

classic single-zero format – with a twist. On every spin, between one and five bet areas of straight up numbers will have a random multiplier attached, ranging in value from 50x right up to 500x. This mammoth multiplier transforms player win capabilities, without adding complex or difficult to understand mechanics to a simple game.

The Mega Bets feature also allows players to place bulk straight-up bets incorporating these Mega Multipliers. Recognisable features and smooth gameplay ensure the Roulette experience is familiar and fun for players, with these added exciting extras. Mega Roulette, like all Pragmatic Play titles, is hosted by professionally trained, engaging hosts and contains immersive sound and visual effects. It is also designed using HTML5 technology, ensuring seamless gameplay across mobile and desktop devices, giving the best possible gaming experience regardless of player preference. By adding a slot-style random multiplier feature, Pragmatic Play has been able to marry together fans of an ardent casino favourite that may be looking for new experiences and slot fans looking to broaden their horizon while maintaining their hunger for big wins on any spin. Mega Roulette offers a dynamic new Live dealer experience, following Pragmatic Play’s first gameshow-style Live game, Mega Wheel. The provider continues its impressive growth in the Live Casino sphere worldwide. Mega Roulette is due to be released on 24th February.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 50 SCIENTIFIC GAMES

SUZOHAPP

Scientific Games introduces Singing Cats

cientific Games Corporation is excited to announce that Jin Ji Bao Xi - Singing Cats, the fourth linked progressive game in the phenomenal Jin Ji Bao Xi game family, is now approved. Singing Cats combines familiar sounds, symbols, and jackpot features that Jin Ji Bao Xi players all over Asia have come to know and love. Singing Cats features the new “Repeat Win” style Free Games Feature, where any GOLD or JADE COIN that lands on a spin resets the number of remaining free spins to 3. Also featured is an enhanced Top Up Feature that will reward more value and spins to players. The first Jin Ji Bao Xi game, Echo Fortune, debuted in 2017 in Macau and achieved a massive number of casino installations and immense popularity among players in Asia. The second game, Diamond Eternity, arrived in 2018, and Prancing Pigs in 2019, with a combined roll out of over 3,000 cabinets in Asia.

Focused on gaming

UZOHAPP announced the separation of its gaming and amusement business from its cash handling business, effective immediately. The new cash handling business will be called PayComplete. SUZOHAPP will focus solely on its core gaming, amusement, and sports betting business. “As our offerings grew in number and complexity, it became apparent that we could operate more efficiently and serve our customers more effectively by separating into two independent entities,” said Sim Bielak, Global President of SUZOHAPP. “The increased focus we can now bring to our Gaming & Amusement business will bring us closer to the customer as we align our offerings more directly with their needs.” With its 60-year history of serving the gaming and amusement industry, SUZOHAPP is returning to its roots. This renewed focus on its core business will bring value to both the business and its customers. “Moving forward, our customers can expect much greater attention to be given to understanding and meeting their needs quickly, efficiently and cost effectively,” continued Bielak. “Our optimized operations will allow for increased innovation, improved response times and greater customer service. 2021 will be a great year for SUZOHAPP and its customers.”

SEGA SAMMY

Dragons Foo creates Wild excitement

EGA SAMMY CREATION INC. is proud to introduce a Chinese dragon-themed slot game “Dragons Foo” with a four-level Jackpot to the Asian market. Dragons Foo offers a unique “Dice Wild feature” that provides the chance to add up to 12 Wild symbols on the reels. Two Dice symbols appear on reel 1 and 5 that trigger the feature. The dice will roll and random positions on the reels then change to a Wild symbol according to the numbers shown on the dice. The game also gives players the ability to choose their volatility level for the free games. When 3 scatter symbols appear on the reels, the “Dragon Bonus feature” is triggered. Players can select their desired combination of Free games and Dragon symbols that are replaced with Wild symbols, or they can select the “Dragon Wheel”; where each number will be selected by a two-tier wheel randomly. When players select 4 Free games with 4 colors of Dragons symbols, they will be excited by many Wild symbols appearing on the reels during free games. In addition, the combined effect of the Dice Wild feature and Dragon Bonus feature can lead to

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

big wins with a full screen of Wild symbols! “Dragons Foo brings an elevated excitement and new dimension of anticipation with the Wild symbol to players,” said SEGA SAMMY CREATION Managing Director Masahiro

Kurosaki” The game will cater to all types of player in the Asian market with the high volatility math and easy-to-understand game rules. This innovative game will drive new player engagement and retain regular players as well.”

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 51 SOLID GAMING

Solid Gaming pushes boundaries in Asia

olid Gaming is one of the bigger operators of online games in the Asian market, but their biggest strength is the market knowledge and connections they have made throughout the years. Following the rise of online gaming came a highly competitive market involving developers that are betting to snatch the top spot of every gamers’ attention. Solid Gaming entered the Asian market 2017 with its exclusive and highperforming RNG games and live dealer solutions for the online gambling industry. However, merely offering games is not enough in today’s highly competitive market place. Having produced games under its exclusive brand Golden Hero with diverse titles including top game Hawaiian Dream, Engeki Rising X50,

Oiran Dream, Raigeki Rising X30, and Jewel Race, Solid Gaming has since amassed popularity and credibility in delivering innovative mobile gambling games. Bringing new experiences such as its Pachislos, a merger of the Japanese Pachinko games and popular slot games, it has ushered in the future of online gambling by raising the bar through inventive gameplay and knowledge of what works in different markets. One of the unique offers resulting from Solid Gaming teaming up with Golden Hero is the Pachislos. This is just one example where market knowledge and the right partners is really becoming an advantage in the igaming jungle. Pachislos work extremely well on the attractive in Japan and a must for any operator wanting to enter the Japanese marketplace. “Pachinko parlors are immensely popular in Japan and Pachislos may be seen as a flirtation with those players’’, says Solid Gaming’s CEO Thomas Nimstad. Solid Gaming hosts a curated list of trusted providers involving virtual sports, skill-based games, and online gambling but what you really get is the knowledge. “Anybody can offer any game but with Solid you get more. We offer a fast, simple and low-risk integration of games but our team also has a wealth of knowledge that partners to Solid Gaming gain access to. That’s our true strength.”

SIMPLEPLAY

Myth of Phoenix augurs better times

implePlay, one of the fastest-growing slots providers in the region, has recently launched a new Slot Game, “Myth of Phoenix”. It is a 4x5-reel, 50-line slot. In this game, Stack Top Pay Symbol may appear on the reels, allowing players to win up to 1000x! The Free Game Feature allows players to choose from 3 options: to win 4 to 10 free spins and enjoy 88 to 188 Wilds across the reels! The game is largely based on the phoenix, a mythical bird that exists in both eastern and western cultures. As the king of the birds, a phoenix can live up to 1,000 years and even eternity, making it a sign of peace and auspiciousness. This is a featured game for the Chinese New Year. Through this game, SimplePlay wishes to send its greetings for CNY to all its clients as well as players who play the supplier’s games. 2020 has been a challenging year for the whole industry. SimplePlay has been maintaining its growth with its active participation in ICE and the launch of events for its clients. Last year,

SimplePlay Christmas Free Spin Giveaway gave out Free Spins to players who played during the promotion period. Over 80,000 Free Spins were given out and SimplePlay’s clients experienced substantial growth in the number of active players. In 2021, SimplePlay will continue its success with various plans. Here are some projects to look forward to. Clients can expect more events from the supplier. Following the achievements made last Christmas, SimplePlay is looking for opportunities to hold more events and promotion campaigns for its clients. The development of new games is also underway. Apart from Slot Games, which the supplier has been doing regularly, there will also be new game types! Please stay tuned for more news and updates from the slot supplier.

TV BET

New games and expansion plans

he new year has just begun, but TBVET already has huge goals for it. The leading live-games provider has unveiled major plans for 2021: +4 new games, even more expansion, better interface. TVBET is going to represent four new live-games soon. One of the TVBET partners has already implemented two of these games, and their figures have shown high interest and involvement on the part of the players. Two more games are in development. All four games will soon be added to the TVBET portfolio and presented to all partners. The team is constantly working on the improvement of its product. Herewith, in 2020 TVBET auditors have done the analysis of the TVBET Game frame and updated it towards the convenience of the player, making the games more user-friendly and easy-tounderstand. These processes have not been completed yet, and the provider will proceed with its plan of renovation in 2021. All this is done to make the players feel comfortable, and, accordingly, this leads to an increase in the number of bets. And one more step to be made is a wider expansion of TVBET’s presence in the world igaming stage. The team is already negotiating with potential partners from Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, CIS. The 2021 year is expected to be fruitful for the live-games provider and bring many new successful partnerships.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 52 ULTRAPLAY

UltraPlay powers up Mobius Interactive

ward-winning betting provider, UltraPlay, has announced its partnership with Mobius Interactive Ltd, an online gaming operator, which is powered by UltraPlay’s platform and eSports betting product. Through its brand Mobius.Bet, the company is focused on one of the fastest-growing betting verticals lately – eSports and its core audience – the gamers. Mobius Interactive Ltd launched its online operations together with UltraPlay in the third quarter of 2020. Since then the site is experiencing great interest from the eSports betting community of players across the globe. Lynn Pearce, CEO at Mobius Interactive Ltd, has commented: “We are a team of gamers at heart, so when it came to deciding which esports iGaming platform provider to partner with when launching our company, it was a no-brainer for us, we knew immediately that we wanted to partner with the multiple esports award-winning UltraPlay! In partnership with UltraPlay, we launched 3

diverse brands within 3 months, which must be a record within the iGaming industry! We have also had the most incredible support from their ever-patient and knowledgeable B2B, Integrations, and Trading teams, who in return have learnt from our superb Customer Service team, all of whom have been in the gaming industry for many years. I believe the strength of this partnership will stand us all in good stead going forward as we launch into new regions around the world.” Mario Ovcharov, CEO at UltraPlay added: “Mobius Interactive’s team is formed by industry peers with many years of experience. Thus,

being their first-choice iGaming platform provider is great recognition for the entire team of UltraPlay. What’s even more exciting to us is their enthusiasm and commitment to the eSports betting sector. They shortly became a strong part of our network of like-minded partners heavily involved in the world of eSports. We strongly believe that together, we could further enhance the player experience in a very dynamic sector such as eSports.” Through UltraPlay’s platform, Mobius will provide players with access to more than 34 eSports games, as well as live and pre-match odds on a wide variety of tournaments daily.

The company’s products allow you to build a seamlessly integrated, profitable, and flexible casino floor with best-in-class Customer Support and unbeatable adaptability for your business requirements. The products deliver thorough solutions to cover all casino needs regardless

of size: Wigos, the market-leading casino management system, ranked TOP4 worldwide; GameStar, the innovative slot machines and Gold Club, the internationally acclaimed premium electronic roulettes. The range of Gold Club premium electronic roulettes is the most flexible solution for casinos, allowing maximum monetization of limited space. With its state-of-the-art design, adaptive illumination technology, and superior quality, the gaming machines stand out from anywhere on the casino floor and delight all players. GOLD CLUB proudly announces the launch of Gold Club Allegro, an individual station with the highest technical and design features, combining maximum comfort, fun and ergonomics for players. The precise inclination of the screen avoids excess reflections, while allowing a full view of the roulette wheel. To optimize configuration for the casino, up to 255 Gold Club Allegro can be connected to any Gold Club electronic roulette or to the fully automated standalone electronic roulette, the Gold Club Solo. The combination of Gold Club Allegro + Solo delivers ultimate flexibility for your casino’s needs, creating a stunning stadium or optimizing smaller spaces.

WIN SYSTEMS

Flexible roulette solutions

IN SYSTEMS is a leading technology supplier of management solutions, electronic roulettes and slot machines to the casino and lottery industries, with more than 20 years of experience and presence in more than 60 countries around the world.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

INDUSTRY OPINION 54

Wai Ming Yap*

Singapore on cusp of regulatory overhaul On 3 April 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore (MHA) announced that it will be reconstituting the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) to establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) by 2021. The GRA will have an expanded mandate to regulate the entire gambling landscape in Singapore and aims to consolidate and optimize gambling regulatory resources within a single agency.

he MHA also announced that it would be amending all gambling legislation by 2021 to ensure that its regulatory mechanisms can effectively address evolving gambling products and business models, including the need to regulate products such as “mystery boxes” and reviewing the penalties for offences to ensure consistency across land-based and online gambling. It is anticipated that there will be significant changes made to the gambling regulatory landscape in Singapore by 2021 with the establishment of the GRA and the amendments to existing gambling legislation.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

Gambling regulation in Singapore is currently overseen by various government agencies. The CRA regulates the operations of Singapore’s land-based casinos, the Gambling Regulatory Unit of the Ministry of Home Affairs regulates remote gambling activities and private lotteries, while the Singapore Totalisator Board oversees the horse betting, sports betting and other betting services operated by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Singapore Pools (Private) Limited. Gambling is regulated in Singapore under a patchwork of different laws depending on whether the gambling activity is land-based or remote. For land-based

INDUSTRY OPINION 55

gambling, the Betting Act regulates common betting-houses, betting in public places and bookmaking, the Common Gaming Houses Act regulates common gaming houses, public gaming and public lotteries, the Private Lotteries Act regulates private lotteries, and the Casino Control Act regulates the two licensed landbased casinos in Singapore. As a result, the gambling landscape in Singapore has not always kept pace with the growth in non-traditional gambling products. The distinction between gambling products and skill-based gaming products is becoming increasingly blurred. For example, various mobile gaming products have incorporated elements of gambling, while traditional gambling products have been reimagined to incorporate skills-based elements (e.g. slot machines with joysticks). In recent times, experts in Singapore have raised concerns that loot boxes are linked to problem gambling because of the “risk-reward factor” inherent in their mechanisms. These concerns are compounded given that these loot boxes are an increasingly common feature of mobile phone games

which are hugely popular in Singapore. Despite these concerns, “loot boxes” are not expressly addressed or regulated under existing gambling legislation in Singapore. As part of the MHA’s review and amendment of existing gambling legislation, we are likely to see an expansion of existing legislation, or the introduction of new legislation to regulate non-traditional gambling products, such as “loot boxes”. A number of other jurisdictions such as the UK, Japan and China have already adopted regulations in respect of loot boxes, such as by requiring the drop rates for “loot boxes” to be disclosed or introducing age and other restrictions. Other countries such as Belgium have banned “loot boxes.” Any regulation of such gaming products with gambling elements will need to be carefully balanced against the interests of the gaming industry and game developers. Singapore has generally been supportive of legitimate gaming businesses (as opposed to the casino style gambling and sports betting business) and has introduced initiatives to ensure the continued growth and development of the gaming industry particularly e-sports.

We may also see regulation being introduced in respect of betting on e-sports events which is becoming increasingly popular in Asia. Currently, e-sports betting is not expressly covered by existing gambling legislation in Singapore. It is also possible that we may see a consolidation of the various gambling legislations in order to streamline the gambling regulatory landscape in Singapore. We may also see stricter anti-money laundering and terrorism financing regulations being put in place in relation to gambling operations. The consolidation of the regulation of gambling within a single agency, the GRA, is likely to result in a more holistic, comprehensive and streamlined regulatory approach towards gambling policies and issues. It is expected that the GRA will be able to respond more expeditiously to regulate emerging gambling products. Given that non-traditional gambling products are constantly evolving, a single agency may be to act more quickly to review and regulate these products. However, it is not anticipated that there will be any significant relaxation of the strict regulation of gambling in Singapore. In Singapore, all forms of remote gambling are prohibited unless exempted, while land-based gambling is only permitted in licensed casinos and betting outlets. The MHA emphasized in its announcement that notwithstanding the proposed updates in law, the MHA will retain a “generally prohibitive stance towards gambling, and continue to maintain a riskbased regulatory approach towards existing gambling operators”. The MHA has indicated that it will engage key stakeholders to take on board their views in the coming years, including gambling operators, religious organisations, social service agencies, and members of the public. Stakeholders may wish to keep a close watch on the upcoming changes to the Singapore gaming regulatory landscape and to provide feedback and proposals when public consultations are announced. *Wai Ming Yap is a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and is also the Managing Director at Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC, a Singapore law corporation affiliated with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Copyright 2020. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided as a general informational service and it should not be construed as imparting legal advice on any specific matter.

Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 56

MARCH

APRIL

IMGL SPRING CONFERENCE (VIRTUAL) 08-12 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 UKRAINIAN GAMING WEEK 23-24 March 2021 IEC Pavilion, Kiev https://ugw.com.ua/en

SIGMA EUROPE 13-15 April 2021 MFCC, Malta https://register.sigma.com.mt/malta/

MAY SIGMA MANILA 27-28 May 2021 SMX Convention Centre, Manila https://www.sigma.com.mt/en/events/asia

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/ G2E ASIA 17-19 August 2021 Venetian Macau https://www.g2easia.com/

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Gaming Briefings | February 2021

LAST WORD 58

Sharon Singleton

Managing Editor, AGB

Asia losing out on online convergence MGM Resorts may have walked away from its $11 billion attempt to buy the U.K.’s Entain, but it’s unlikely to be the last attempt we see from landbased gaming giants seeking to secure a foothold in the online world.

There are rumblings that cash-strapped governments he casino giant abandoned its attempt after Entain’s board rebuffed its offer for a second may be more eager than they have been in the past time. A merger would have provided MGM to consider legislating and taxing. But so far only the with sole control over their U.S. joint venture Philippines has taken a step to make that happen. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp BetMGM, as well as other leading online brands, has begun issuing the first licenses that will allow the including Ladbrokes and Coral. As the land-based casino world continues to country’s nationals to gamble online and to allow landstruggle with Covid-19-mandated closures and social based casinos to accept online bets. It’s a bold experiment and very much in its infancy. distancing rules, the online world appears to be going Manila has been more willing to embrace the potential for from strength to strength. Entain this month reported net gaming revenue online gambling than its regional peers, but with mixed success. The early promise of the surged 41 percent in Q4 of last Philippine Offshore Gambling year, with momentum continuing Operator (POGO) segment has into 2021. The U.S. is seen as one given way to disillusionment, of the highlights, with BetMGM Manila has with firms leaving in droves now having an 18 percent share due to high operating costs of the market there and online been more willing and what many consider to be revenues surging 130 percent. to embrace the a greedy tax bid on the part of The figures are certainly the government. compelling and there is a strong potential for online Still, as the pandemic drags rationale for tie ups between gambling than its on and casino companies across U.S. operators and Europe’s regional peers, the region stare into the face of experienced online players keen months of further uncertainty, to get a slice of the newly liberated but with mixed it’s hard to imagine pressure American pie. success. isn’t building for online access MGM wasn’t the first. Caesars to players. Entertainment is buying William Macau, with its stringent Hill for $3.72 billion. Shareholders border controls, is looking at in the U.K. company voted to approve the deal in November. While Flutter declines in the high sixties, low seventies percent in Entertainment, owner of PaddyPower, merged with revenue for January compared with last year, according to Bernstein Research. Analysts now see the key Lunar The Stars Group last year. But where does this leave Asia? For all the multiple New Year holiday as being a wash out. The operators have shown they have deep pockets billions of dollars that undoubtedly change hands in the region’s online gambling markets each year there and through deep cost cuts are managing to remain in the black on the EBITDA level, but there are limits is still a dearth of regulation. And without it, we’re unlikely to see the kind of to the pain. As exciting new opportunities open up elsewhere, convergence that is happening between the European and U.S. operators and which will provide a diversified what was once the world’s most exciting region for gambling risks being left behind. revenue stream to support land-based assets.

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Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2021

AGBriefings February 2021 Edition

Articles inside

LAST WORD

INDUSTRY OPINION

SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT

INDIA

FOCUS

PHILIPPINES

JAPAN

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