Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming October 2017 4 Macau fighting back from Typhoon Hato www.asgam.com I f ever we needed reminding of just how unpredictable life can be, it arrived in the form of Typhoon Hato – the T10 storm (Macau’s highest category) that devastated Macau on 23 August 2017. As fierce as it was unexpected, Typhoon Hato was the worst storm to hit these shores in 53 years and caused unprecedented destruction. Windows shattered, streets flooded and trees were uprooted. Sadly, 10 people lost their lives. To see a street you walked down only days earlier completely underwater is an unusual site and one that leaves an indelible emotional impact. Yet the events that unfolded over the ensuing weeks – both good and bad – were nothing short of remarkable. Of course, there was the inevitable soul searching and finger pointing that follows devastation of this kind. The director of the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, Fong Soi-kun, was promptly sacked and an investigation into the department launched amid accusations it had possibly delayed issuing a T10 storm warning due to concerns over the financial impact of closing casinos in the gaming hub. Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) also found itself at the center of a social media backlash following allegations that it had asked staff to volunteer to clean up the Grand Resort Deck at Galaxy Macau rather than aid in clean-up efforts around the city. In truth, Galaxy had already sent team members into the community to help, while GEG’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Kelley later clarified that the request to clean the pool deck was due to concerns over the arrival of a second typhoon four days after Hato. “Because there was another typhoon coming, we needed to get the resort deck cleaned up as quickly as possible from all of this loose debris that could potentially fly around, push through windows, break into hotel rooms, fly off the hotel deck and hit people in the streets,” he said. “We knew it was a very dangerous environment that needed to be fixed very quickly.” In fact, Macau’s concessionaires played a significant role in recovery efforts, pledging a combined MOP$215 million including MOP$65 million from Sands China and another MOP$60 million from GEG. “Our teams at Galaxy Macau, StarWorld Macau and Broadway Macau are contributing to the relief efforts in a variety of ways ranging from substantial donations of goods and services including food, water and trucks for debris removal to a number of team members volunteering to help Macau in areas of need from clean up efforts to delivering food and water to the elderly,” said GEG Chairman Dr Lui Che Woo at the time. Amonth on, Macau is still showing the after effects of Typhoon Hato but it is also pushing ahead with the steely resilience that is synonymous with this part of the world. Proof that you can’t keep the city down. Ben Blaschke Managing Editor We crave your feedback. Please email your comments to [email protected]. Editorial