INDOCHINA RISING

Over the last few years, Indochina has transitioned from being an alternative market to an industry hotbed for the casino gaming industry.

Cambodia and Vietnam, in particular, have experienced galloping speeds of development, though Myanmar and Laos are also coming along. Reminiscent of the gold rush, many an operator has flocked to the region to open shop, while tip-toeing gingerly due to a lack of regulatory frame-work.

As we strive to remain at the forefront of the industry, Asia Gaming Brief is organizing a two-day event dedicated to the Mekong to convene the region’s foremost experts in gaming and hospitality, financing and investment, marketing and operations.

This edition of Asia Gaming Brief Jurisdiction Updates is launched in tandem with the inaugural Mekong Gaming Summit, to be held on 10-11 September 2019 at the Sofitel Phnom Penh, in Cambodia. The Summit is designed to give the industry much-needed insights into the exciting but oftentimes opaque markets of IndoChina.

Highlights of the conference include keynote addresses by the Ministry of Economy & Finance on the future of casinos and gaming in the Kingdom, panels on the main markets in the region and their progress towards regulation, and practical sessions on how to set up your business in SE Asia.

Throughout our Focus we examine the macro-economic figures of the Mekong, the tourism potential, and the opportunities in the gaming industry, which are by no means without risk, as recent events have clearly shown.

Cambodia, at Beijing’s bidding, has apparently now moved to shut down its online gambling industry. We’re counting on our experts to shed some light on this delicate matter.

While these markets continue to present robust growth, providing significant investment opportunities for operators, they are also likely to need deep pockets as established capital markets are wary of these grey jurisdictions.

Featured in these pages are arguably two of the region’s biggest winners, NagaWorld in Phnom Penh and Crown International Club in Danang, Vietnam. Also in Danang, and keen to join the league, is the upcoming Hoiana complex, which is to be the country’s largest and most ambitious project to date, spanning over 985.5 hectares of prime beach-front. Lastly we take a fresh look at another market all operators would love to open its doors. Thailand’s ongoing ban on all forms of gambling is proving a gold mine for casinos elsewhere in the region.

In these pages you’ll find the most relevant developments throughout the Asian markets, namely how PAGCOR said it was suspending the acceptance of applications for new online licenses following Beijing’s move to put Asia’s online gaming industry on notice that it won’t tolerate operations targeting its citizens.

Resorts World Genting, one of Asia’s oldest casino resorts, is thought by analysts to be at risk of losing its dominant position to upcoming jurisdictions in the region. Meanwhile, Nepal expects further expansion of its casino industry as five-star hotels spring up ahead of a major tourism initiative next year.

Down under, Australia’s gaming industry is feeling the heat from regulators after an investigative news report levelled allegations of links to Chinese crime syndicates and money laundering at Crown Resorts’ casinos.

As we dedicate this new edition to the first Mekong Gaming Summit, our Supplier Special lifts the veil into what some of the major industry suppliers have in store for the region. If you’re attending the event, or are around Phnom Penh and would like to book a meeting with us, please write to mekong@agbrief.com.

Come and find out what everyone’s talking about!

On behalf of Asia Gaming Brief

Rosalind Wade & Luis Pereira

Publishers