INDOCHINA IN FOCUS

In May’s edition of AGBriefings, we focus on Indochina’s increasing appeal to the industry.

The region arguably provides some of the best potential in Asia.

We look at how Vietnam has introduced new regulation to cover its casino and sports betting industries over the past two years and is seeing a steady stream of foreign investor interest, including that of leading junket operator Suncity Group.

In Cambodia, construction is booming in the once sleepy seaside town of Sihanoukville. Out of the 52 new casino licenses granted in 2018, 78 percent of those went to operators seeking to set up shop in there. The country is also Indochina’s undisputed king of live dealer gaming, with landbased casinos rushing to install dedicated set-ups to stream action from gaming floors to online players. In these pages we’ll guide you through the most relevant developments throughout Asia’s leading gaming jurisdictions.

Starting with Macau, where despite short-term headwinds from China’s slowing economy and trade friction with the U.S., analysts remain optimistic Macau will retain its crown as Asia’s top gaming hub. Meanwhile, one man is contending for the role of chief executive, which might, to some extent, weigh on the concessional renewal process set for 2022.

Singapore on the other hand has given new life to its gaming market, allowing for a S$9 billion ($6.65 billion) investment into non-gaming amenities and an increase in gaming space and machine numbers.

Across the Straits, Genting Malaysia, which faced a roller coaster of a year in 2018 amidst lawsuits and regulatory changes, is expecting another challenging year ahead. The operator says its particularly concerned about the weak VIP business due to “stiff competition.”

Over the waters, Jeju shows operators some love: South Korea’s honeymoon island has not always been a bed of roses for the operators lured there by the potential of its strong China tourism base, though recent news suggests an improving trend.

Further North, Summit Ascent seems poised for a VIP boom. The Tigre de Cristal resort in Russia’s Far East is seen as well positioned for significant growth in VIP revenue, helped by the entrance of junket investor Suncity Group Holdings as its major shareholder.

As far as Japan is concerned, the local elections have proven favourable for IR development.

In the Southern hemisphere we look at how James Packer tipped his hand in the high stakes game of acquisitions. Crown Resorts has become one of the gaming industry’s prized takeover targets after the company disclosed it had been in talks with Wynn resorts about a potential acquisition.

Our supplier special report is dedicated to G2e Asia which returns to the Venetian Macao on 21-23 May, 2019. This 13th edition will spotlight a number of key industry segments, namely Digital Content & Technology; Parts and Components Pavilion; Integrated Resort Technology & Business Solutions; and the Asia Lottery Expo and Forum.

These pages will lift the veil on the numerous products and services on show by the industry’s leading suppliers, with a special note from local distributor APE, which is forging its path 18 months since its listing on the HKSE.

Asia Gaming Brief pays tribute to the industry in Macau this month, with the hosting of the Gaming Tree Reunion.

On Wednesday, 22 May 2019, at Bene at Sands Cotai Central, the industry will induct two industry legends into the “Asia Gaming Hall of Fame” in an evening to remember! To book your ticket and find out more information please visit asiagamingtree.com.

The AGB team is around at the show and happy to share updates on our upcoming events, such as the next edition of the ASEAN Gaming Summit and our Networking Socials in Manila, as well as our print and digital platforms. To book a meeting us email at “G2Ea@agbrief.com.”

On behalf of Asia Gaming Brief

Rosalind Wade & Luis Pereira

Publishers