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2019 February 18 Monday
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  • NEWS
    No immediate threat to Asian gaming from new China currency movement crackdown: analysts

    No immediate threat to Asian gaming from new China currency movement crackdown: analysts

    Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

    Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

    Amax denies Imperial Palace hotel takeover amid claims of Suncity “invasion”

    Amax International writes off US$45 million stake in Macau’s Greek Mythology casino

    Okada Manila operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment to go public in 2019

    Wynn settlement, Okada Manila ramp push Universal Entertainment to 2018 profit

    Murren points finger at US government shutdown as MGM cites modest Chinese New Year numbers in Las Vegas, Macau

    Novomatic to serve Southeast Asia with new Indo Pacific Gaming deal

    Novomatic to serve Southeast Asia with new Indo Pacific Gaming deal

    Trending Tags

    • FEATURES
      Paradise Reinvented

      Paradise Reinvented

      IAG Expands Into Japan

      IAG Expands Into Japan

      The Time is Now

      The Time is Now

      Japan’s Big Deal

      Japan’s Big Deal

      Tokyo without Borders

      Tokyo without Borders

      Planned to Perfection

      Planned to Perfection

      Trending Tags

      • PEOPLE
        Ice Age

        Ice Age

        IGT’s Luke Orchard to head Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers

        IGT’s Luke Orchard to head Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers

        Michael Cheers: Growing with the industry

        Michael Cheers: Growing with the industry

        Born for the stage

        Born for the stage

        Bankruptcy recovery spurs big second quarter growth for Caesars

        Caesars appoints Juliana Chugg to board of directors

        Trevor Ross: Home away from home

        Trending Tags

        • COLUMNISTS
          An Effective Antidote for Turbulent Times

          An Effective Antidote for Turbulent Times

          Clear currency

          Seize the Day

          Super Amenities

          Is Macau Gambling With Its Responsibility?

          Cambodia Rising

          Trending Tags

          • TECH TALK
            Sega Sammy Creation installs “Baccarat Maximum Fortune” at MGM Macau

            Sega Sammy Creation installs “Baccarat Maximum Fortune” at MGM Macau

            Konami says “Fortune Cup” horse racing game driving Asian business forward

            Konami says “Fortune Cup” horse racing game driving Asian business forward

            TCSJOHNHUXLEY sets ICE ablaze

            TCSJOHNHUXLEY sets ICE ablaze

            Scientific Games to send “Jin Ji Bao Xi” global after Asia success

            Scientific Games to send “Jin Ji Bao Xi” global after Asia success

            Atrient Gaming PowerKiosk overview for ICE 2019

            Atrient Gaming PowerKiosk overview for ICE 2019

            Dallmeier to showcase gaming, surveillance and marketing technology at ICE

            Dallmeier to showcase gaming, surveillance and marketing technology at ICE

            Trending Tags

            • iGAMING
              QTech Games reveals blueprint for new global gaming studio group

              QTech Games reveals blueprint for new global gaming studio group

              QTech Games heads to ICE to expand global footprint

              Betsoft to release “Faerie Spells”

              Betsoft to release “Faerie Spells”

              Kalamba Games releases new game “Machina”

              Kalamba Games releases new game “Machina”

              QTech Games appoints Markus Nasholm to new Global CEO role

              QTech Games appoints Markus Nasholm to new Global CEO role

              Superbet migrates operations to Comtrade Gaming’s online platform

              Comtrade to present new business intelligence architecture at ICE London

              Trending Tags

              • EVENTS
                Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                Two weeks left until SPiCE 2019

                Two weeks left until SPiCE 2019

                Everi to showcase innovative financial technology solutions at ICE London

                Everi to showcase innovative financial technology solutions at ICE London

                Ice Age

                Ice Age

                Fintech gains its own space at G2E Asia 2019

                Fintech gains its own space at G2E Asia 2019

                Inside Asian Gaming announces launch of “Macau After Dark” industry networking events

                Inside Asian Gaming announces launch of “Macau After Dark” industry networking events

                Trending Tags

                • MACAU
                  Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                  Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                  Amax denies Imperial Palace hotel takeover amid claims of Suncity “invasion”

                  Amax International writes off US$45 million stake in Macau’s Greek Mythology casino

                  MGM China revenue up 33% in 4Q18 on MGM Cotai contribution

                  Galaxy, Melco announce latest employee benefits initiatives

                  Macau gaming tax revenue grows 17.7% in 1Q18

                  Macau government tax revenue continues to soar in January despite monthly GGR decline

                  Macau Airport sets Golden Week and single day passenger records during Chinese New Year

                  Macau Airport sets Golden Week and single day passenger records during Chinese New Year

                  Trending Tags

                  • JAPAN
                  • REGIONAL
                    • All
                    • Africa
                    • Australia
                    • Cambodia
                    • China
                    • CNMI
                    • Europe
                    • Hong Kong
                    • India
                    • Japan
                    • Macau
                    • Malaysia
                    • Nepal
                    • New Zealand
                    • North America
                    • North Korea
                    • Philippines
                    • Russia
                    • Singapore
                    • South Korea
                    • Thailand
                    • Vietnam
                    No immediate threat to Asian gaming from new China currency movement crackdown: analysts

                    No immediate threat to Asian gaming from new China currency movement crackdown: analysts

                    Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                    Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                    Amax denies Imperial Palace hotel takeover amid claims of Suncity “invasion”

                    Amax International writes off US$45 million stake in Macau’s Greek Mythology casino

                    Okada Manila operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment to go public in 2019

                    Wynn settlement, Okada Manila ramp push Universal Entertainment to 2018 profit

                    Murren points finger at US government shutdown as MGM cites modest Chinese New Year numbers in Las Vegas, Macau

                    Novomatic to serve Southeast Asia with new Indo Pacific Gaming deal

                    Novomatic to serve Southeast Asia with new Indo Pacific Gaming deal

                    Trending Tags

                    • POWER 50
                      A night to remember

                      A night to remember

                      Sheldon Adelson tops IAG’s 2018 Asian Gaming Power 50 list

                      Big 50 list

                      2018 Inside Asian Gaming Power 50: Number 1 – Sheldon Adelson

                      2018 Inside Asian Gaming Power 50: Number 2 – Francis Lui

                      2018 Inside Asian Gaming Power 50: Number 3 – Lawrence Ho

                      Trending Tags

                      No Result
                      View All Result
                      IAG
                      • NEWS
                        No immediate threat to Asian gaming from new China currency movement crackdown: analysts

                        No immediate threat to Asian gaming from new China currency movement crackdown: analysts

                        Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                        Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                        Amax denies Imperial Palace hotel takeover amid claims of Suncity “invasion”

                        Amax International writes off US$45 million stake in Macau’s Greek Mythology casino

                        Okada Manila operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment to go public in 2019

                        Wynn settlement, Okada Manila ramp push Universal Entertainment to 2018 profit

                        Murren points finger at US government shutdown as MGM cites modest Chinese New Year numbers in Las Vegas, Macau

                        Novomatic to serve Southeast Asia with new Indo Pacific Gaming deal

                        Novomatic to serve Southeast Asia with new Indo Pacific Gaming deal

                        Trending Tags

                        • FEATURES
                          Paradise Reinvented

                          Paradise Reinvented

                          IAG Expands Into Japan

                          IAG Expands Into Japan

                          The Time is Now

                          The Time is Now

                          Japan’s Big Deal

                          Japan’s Big Deal

                          Tokyo without Borders

                          Tokyo without Borders

                          Planned to Perfection

                          Planned to Perfection

                          Trending Tags

                          • PEOPLE
                            Ice Age

                            Ice Age

                            IGT’s Luke Orchard to head Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers

                            IGT’s Luke Orchard to head Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers

                            Michael Cheers: Growing with the industry

                            Michael Cheers: Growing with the industry

                            Born for the stage

                            Born for the stage

                            Bankruptcy recovery spurs big second quarter growth for Caesars

                            Caesars appoints Juliana Chugg to board of directors

                            Trevor Ross: Home away from home

                            Trending Tags

                            • COLUMNISTS
                              An Effective Antidote for Turbulent Times

                              An Effective Antidote for Turbulent Times

                              Clear currency

                              Seize the Day

                              Super Amenities

                              Is Macau Gambling With Its Responsibility?

                              Cambodia Rising

                              Trending Tags

                              • TECH TALK
                                Sega Sammy Creation installs “Baccarat Maximum Fortune” at MGM Macau

                                Sega Sammy Creation installs “Baccarat Maximum Fortune” at MGM Macau

                                Konami says “Fortune Cup” horse racing game driving Asian business forward

                                Konami says “Fortune Cup” horse racing game driving Asian business forward

                                TCSJOHNHUXLEY sets ICE ablaze

                                TCSJOHNHUXLEY sets ICE ablaze

                                Scientific Games to send “Jin Ji Bao Xi” global after Asia success

                                Scientific Games to send “Jin Ji Bao Xi” global after Asia success

                                Atrient Gaming PowerKiosk overview for ICE 2019

                                Atrient Gaming PowerKiosk overview for ICE 2019

                                Dallmeier to showcase gaming, surveillance and marketing technology at ICE

                                Dallmeier to showcase gaming, surveillance and marketing technology at ICE

                                Trending Tags

                                • iGAMING
                                  QTech Games reveals blueprint for new global gaming studio group

                                  QTech Games reveals blueprint for new global gaming studio group

                                  QTech Games heads to ICE to expand global footprint

                                  Betsoft to release “Faerie Spells”

                                  Betsoft to release “Faerie Spells”

                                  Kalamba Games releases new game “Machina”

                                  Kalamba Games releases new game “Machina”

                                  QTech Games appoints Markus Nasholm to new Global CEO role

                                  QTech Games appoints Markus Nasholm to new Global CEO role

                                  Superbet migrates operations to Comtrade Gaming’s online platform

                                  Comtrade to present new business intelligence architecture at ICE London

                                  Trending Tags

                                  • EVENTS
                                    Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                                    Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                                    Two weeks left until SPiCE 2019

                                    Two weeks left until SPiCE 2019

                                    Everi to showcase innovative financial technology solutions at ICE London

                                    Everi to showcase innovative financial technology solutions at ICE London

                                    Ice Age

                                    Ice Age

                                    Fintech gains its own space at G2E Asia 2019

                                    Fintech gains its own space at G2E Asia 2019

                                    Inside Asian Gaming announces launch of “Macau After Dark” industry networking events

                                    Inside Asian Gaming announces launch of “Macau After Dark” industry networking events

                                    Trending Tags

                                    • MACAU
                                      Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                                      Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                                      Amax denies Imperial Palace hotel takeover amid claims of Suncity “invasion”

                                      Amax International writes off US$45 million stake in Macau’s Greek Mythology casino

                                      MGM China revenue up 33% in 4Q18 on MGM Cotai contribution

                                      Galaxy, Melco announce latest employee benefits initiatives

                                      Macau gaming tax revenue grows 17.7% in 1Q18

                                      Macau government tax revenue continues to soar in January despite monthly GGR decline

                                      Macau Airport sets Golden Week and single day passenger records during Chinese New Year

                                      Macau Airport sets Golden Week and single day passenger records during Chinese New Year

                                      Trending Tags

                                      • JAPAN
                                      • REGIONAL
                                        • All
                                        • Africa
                                        • Australia
                                        • Cambodia
                                        • China
                                        • CNMI
                                        • Europe
                                        • Hong Kong
                                        • India
                                        • Japan
                                        • Macau
                                        • Malaysia
                                        • Nepal
                                        • New Zealand
                                        • North America
                                        • North Korea
                                        • Philippines
                                        • Russia
                                        • Singapore
                                        • South Korea
                                        • Thailand
                                        • Vietnam
                                        No immediate threat to Asian gaming from new China currency movement crackdown: analysts

                                        No immediate threat to Asian gaming from new China currency movement crackdown: analysts

                                        Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                                        Macau gaming industry comes together for inaugural Macau After Dark networking event

                                        Amax denies Imperial Palace hotel takeover amid claims of Suncity “invasion”

                                        Amax International writes off US$45 million stake in Macau’s Greek Mythology casino

                                        Okada Manila operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment to go public in 2019

                                        Wynn settlement, Okada Manila ramp push Universal Entertainment to 2018 profit

                                        Murren points finger at US government shutdown as MGM cites modest Chinese New Year numbers in Las Vegas, Macau

                                        Novomatic to serve Southeast Asia with new Indo Pacific Gaming deal

                                        Novomatic to serve Southeast Asia with new Indo Pacific Gaming deal

                                        Trending Tags

                                        • POWER 50
                                          A night to remember

                                          A night to remember

                                          Sheldon Adelson tops IAG’s 2018 Asian Gaming Power 50 list

                                          Big 50 list

                                          2018 Inside Asian Gaming Power 50: Number 1 – Sheldon Adelson

                                          2018 Inside Asian Gaming Power 50: Number 2 – Francis Lui

                                          2018 Inside Asian Gaming Power 50: Number 3 – Lawrence Ho

                                          Trending Tags

                                          No Result
                                          View All Result
                                          IAG
                                          No Result
                                          View All Result

                                          The Asian Gaming 50 – 2016: 41-50

                                          Newsdesk by Newsdesk
                                          Monday 19 September 2016 at 12:20

                                          [1-10] [11-20] [21-30] [31-40] [41-50]


                                          SkyCity Entertainment Group is in capable hands with industry veteran John Mortensen, who took the reins of the six-casino group in April following the resignation of long-time Chief Executive Nigel Morrison.
                                          As Mr Morrison’s Chief Operating Officer, effectively his second in command, he’s well-versed in the practices that are delivering consistently solid revenue and earnings pretty much across the group and which have set it firmly on a path of expansion both in Australia and its home market of New Zealand.
                                          Group-wide EBITDA was up 8.2% to NZ$330 million in the 12 months ended 30 June on normalized revenue that grew a robust 7.6% to NZ$1.1 billion.
                                          One of the real highlights of Mr Morrison’s tenure in this regard has been SkyCity’s emergence as a serious Australasian contender for the VIP trade. “International Business” volume, as the company labels it, was up almost 33% last year to more than NZ$12 billion.
                                          Mr Mortensen certainly will be looking to build on this, and the keys will be keeping two major expansion projects on track: the first, priced at more than NZ$300 million, will bring a new luxury hotel to SkyCity Adelaide along with a lot more gaming product; the second, years in the making, is happening in Auckland, where the company has a deal with the NZ government to build a NZ$450 million convention center and supporting hotel and permission to undertake a significant expansion of the company’s largest casino.

                                          Hong Kong’s eminently creative and well-connected Albert Yeung first got into casinos when Macau was still a Portuguese colony, winning the license in 1993 to develop Vietnam’s first legal gambling hall – in Do Son, a venerable resort town near Hai Phong – which he flipped to Stanley Ho, and venturing a couple of years after that into operations on his own, in North Korea, of all places, opening a casino catering to the Chinese border trade.
                                          He entered the Macau market as an investor in VIP rooms in Mr Ho’s former flagship, the Casino Lisboa, and established himself in operations in 2006 as a sub-licensee of Mr Ho’s Sociedade de Jogos de Macau with the opening of the Grand Emperor Hotel, a 307-room resort with 77 table games and 400 slots that does a tidy business (together with the Inn Hotel Macau in Taipa, formerly the Best Western) that topped HK$1.72 billion in revenue in the financial year ended 31 March.
                                          You can’t miss the Grand Emperor. Its 26 stories tower over a section of downtown not far from the Lisboa. There are always people snapping photos out front, posing around the mock carriage parked there, an ornate, gold-painted model of what European royalty would’ve tooled around in in the bad old days. There are a couple of Caucasians dressed as Coldstream Guards, bearskin hats and all, flanking the entrance. In the foyer the floor gleams with 78 one-kilo gold bars arrayed under plastic.
                                          It’s a nod to the showman in the 73-year-old Mr Yeung, a quality Stanley Ho particularly admired. “No difficulties can baffle him,” he once said of him, “nor are there any hurdles he cannot overcome.”
                                          Indeed, he built a Hong Kong watch retailer’s into an empire consisting of four Hong Kong-listed companies with holdings in property, financial services, retail, mass media, hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. His Emperor Entertainment Group, a major player in the massive Cantopop market, includes a subsidiary in film and TV production with credits that include 2012’s CZ12 starring Jackie Chan (who’s a Grand Emperor investor), 2015’s To the Fore, Hong Kong’s official Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film, and the first Chinese film to break US$100 million in mainland China (2010’s Let the Bullets Fly).

                                          The casino at Ponte 16 is struggling along with the rest of the Macau gaming market during the current downturn, but that doesn’t diminish what Hong Kong financier Sonny Yeung and his Success Universe Group have achieved in their efforts to set the resort apart from most of the casinos that operate as independent contractors under the SJM concession, with their focus on gambling and little else.
                                          SJM owns 51% of the operation, which helps.
                                          Success Universe, for its part, continues to hone an innovative approach to marketing that can be traced to its controlling stake in a Canadian-based travel company that specializes in the high-end MICE and FIT sectors. Highlights at Ponte 16 include a comprehensive tiered loyalty program for both gaming and non-gaming customers and an online magazine and complementary smart phone service for guests at the Sofitel-managed hotel.
                                          Ponte 16 benefits from some unique geography too. As the only casino on the city’s historic Inner Harbour it’s got a sizable footprint, 2.3 hectares in all, which provides space for a more expansive offering than the run of its peers on the Macau peninsula: an outdoor pool, a fitness center and sauna, a L’Occitane-branded spa, nine restaurants, cafes and lounges, seven multi-purpose meeting rooms and extras a peninsula visitor might not expect, like a 1,600-square-meter interactive experience called “Macau 3D World”.

                                          Times may be tough for Macau’s VIP business, but that hasn’t slowed Jack Lam. The Guangzhou-born tycoon, who owns junket operator Jimei Group, has reacted to the sector’s recent plunge by expanding his business to foreign frontiers – most notably Australia.
                                          Through his Hong Kong-listed Jimei International Entertainment Group, Lam signed a junket agreement with Crown Perth in February last year to promote “eight to 10” tables. Three months later a similar deal to operate seven tables was announced with Cambodia’s NagaWorld. And in November Jimei International added The Star in Sydney to its portfolio with a deal to run at least six tables.
                                          That partnership already looks fruitful with The Star out-performing Melbourne rival Crown in VIP revenue for the very first time in the first six months of 2016, bringing in AU$320.5 million – up 7% year-on-year. During that same period, VIP revenue in Macau fell 15.7%.
                                          As Chairman of Jimei Group in Macau, Lam’s interests also extend beyond only junkets. Most prominent of those interests is Jimei Casino, located on the Macau peninsula, which Jimei Group runs under license from SJM.
                                          It also owns and operates the highly successful Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino at Clark Special Economic Zone in the Philippines – a resort on part of the former US Clark Air Force base that is designed like a US suburb.

                                          Since she was appointed as the new head of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte in May, Andrea Domingo has barely been out of the news.
                                          Domingo replaced Cristino Naguiat in the position, the outgoing Pagcor boss having made considerable progress in improving the Philippines gaming industry’s reputation as well as overseeing the launch of the first two IR’s in Manila’s Entertainment City precinct, Solaire and City of Dreams Manila. But any hopes of a similarly smooth run have already been quashed.
                                          While Naguiat did a respectable job of juggling Pagcor’s duel role as both a regulator and an operator, one of Domingo’s first jobs will be to arrange the sale of the 11 casinos and two dozen smaller gaming venues Pagcor runs across the nation.
                                          It is one of a number of controversial measures ordered by the famously anti-gambling President, with Pagcor’s regulatory arm having previously revoked the licenses of around 200 online gaming companies as well as refusing to renew PhilWeb’s license to provide software to 256 e-Games outlets.
                                          It’s worth noting that in compiling the Asian Gaming Power 50, IAG included Domingo purely in respect to the operational side of Pagcor’s duties – so if the sale of Pagcor properties proceeds this will almost certainly be her one and only appearance.

                                          When it comes the world’s gaming melting pots, India is about as unique as they come. Gambling is, for the most part, a heavily restricted industry with casinos allowed in only three of the nation’s 36 states and unions and most only allowed to provide machine-style gaming with no live tables.
                                          Yet those restrictions seem largely redundant when you consider that India is home to one of the biggest, and most famous, illegal gambling markets in the world. According to the International Centre for Sports Security, based in Doha, illegal sports betting in India is worth a massive US$150 billion a year with most of that money bet on the national sport of cricket.
                                          It suggests a huge gaming market waiting to be tapped should the powers that be start liberalizing the industry – and if it does indeed happen, Jaydev Mody will be ready to pounce.
                                          Mody is Chairman of Delta Corp, India’s only publicly traded gaming firm, which operates two casino cruise ships in Goa and has been making steady progress in establishing its land-based presence as well.
                                          Last December, Delta was awarded a casino license for its Delta Suites Hotel in Goa. In June this year it was given permission to run Sikkim’s first casino in partnership with the Hotel Welcom Heritage Denzong Regency. And rumor has it Delta’s Deltin Daman Hotel will be granted a license soon too – meaning Mody would own properties in all three states to allow any form of casino gaming.
                                          With India’s casino market currently valued at around US$80 million a year, it’s not a huge money spinner just yet, but it’s a start.

                                          Having enjoyed steady growth since its formation in 2003, with gaming interests in Nepal, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, it seems the long-term future of Silver Heritage rests on the Nepal/ India border.
                                          The only foreign operator to be granted a gaming license since ownership rules were relaxed less than two years ago, Silver Heritage has already begun construction of the five-star Tiger Palace Resort in Bhairahawa – due to open early next year and the first of two resorts planned for the region. In their sights is the untapped Indian market, with the company noting, “Over 430 million Indians live within a day’s drive of the Nepal border and entry to and exit from Nepal is visa-free for Indian nationals.”
                                          Under the watchful eye of co-founder Mike Bolsover, Silver Heritage began listing on the Australian Securities Exchange after it launched an AU$25 million IPO in August, aiming to raise around AU$50 million to put towards the completion of Tiger Palace Resort.
                                          The company already has strong ties to Nepal, having secured approval from the government in January 2015 to run the Shangri-La casino at the Shangri-La Hotel & Resort in Kathmandu.

                                          Exactly what the future holds for the government-affiliated Grand Korea Leisure (GKL) is open to debate, but there is no doubt the wind has been knocked out its sails over the past 12 months.
                                          A subsidiary of the Korea National Tourism Organization, GKL was established in 2005 to promote tourism and raise funds, opening a number of foreigners-only casinos under its Seven Luck brand. For the most part the plan has worked, with GKL one of two companies – alongside Paradise Group – to dominate market share with around 90% between them.
                                          But cracks began to appear last June when six GKL employees were arrested in China for allegedly marketing the company’s casino operations to Chinese gamblers. While Paradise was also caught up in the scandal, the fact that GKL has government ties didn’t sit well with their primary market.
                                          How much this impacted the company’s decision last November not to bid for one of two new licenses issued earlier this year for integrated resorts in Incheon is unknown.
                                          It does, however, suggest its gaming ambitions are limited. Quite a time for Lee Ki-woo, who took over from Lim Byoungsoo as GKL’s President and CEO just a few weeks later, to come on board!
                                          With three IRs set to open in Incheon between 2017 and 2019, time will tell whether Korea’s 16 current foreigners-only casinos suffer the consequences.

                                          It’s a good thing that his casino operations comprise only a tiny percentage of Dhammika Perera’s vast fortune. Sri Lanka’s richest man already owns three of the nation’s four casino licenses and had positioned his holding company, Vallibel One,to take advantage of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s plan to improve tourism by issuing three new licenses for integrated resorts.
                                          But that plan was knocked on the head when Rajapaksa was defeated at the January 2015 election. Unlike his predecessor, new President Mithripala Sirisena brought with him a fierce anti-gambling policy and quickly confirmed there would be no new IRs built –including Perera’s US$300 million Queensbury proposal.
                                          Adding insult to injury, Sirisena has also introduced a US$100levy on all people entering Sri Lanka’s casinos, including foreigners who comprise the vast majority of customers. And just a few months ago he confirmed that there would be no new investment in casinos in Sri Lanka allowed under his watch.
                                          In the meantime, Perera will no doubt carry on with his endless array of business interests but any dreams of expanding his local gaming empire appear to be on hold for now.

                                          After five consecutive losing quarters, Bloomberry Resorts returned to profitability in the second quarter, thanks to improved performance at Solaire, the Philippines private casino market leader. Thomas Arasi has taken Solaire to the top after joining in late 2013 – seven months after Entertainment City’s first integrated resort opened.
                                          In late 2014, Solaire took the market lead from Resorts World Manila as it rolled out Sky Tower with 312 boutique suites, 10 new VIP salons, a Broadway style theater, luxury retail and more, bringing key count to 800, gaming tables to nearly 400 and machines above 1,800. In last year’s aftermath, Solaire’s interest expense and depreciation increased while gaming revenue growth slowed to 5%, gutting EBITDA by 49% to P5.2 billion (US$111 million) and turning 2014’s P4 billion profit into a P3.4 billion loss.
                                          In the first half of this year, featuring a torrid second quarter, Solaire has returned to profitability, setting records in EBITDA – up 60% to P5.3 billion, surpassing 2015’s full year total – gaming and non-gaming revenue and volume in all gaming segments. The entire Manila market is up, with a comeback in Chinese visitor arrivals, but management initiatives implemented by Mr Arasi and his team have amplified base trends.

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                                          Current Issue

                                          Paradise Reinvented

                                          Paradise Reinvented

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                                          Wednesday 2 January 2019 at 13:21

                                          The inaugural Asian Gaming Power 50 Gala Dinner saw a who’s who of Asia’s gaming industry come together at Macau’s Studio City to celebrate those who made a difference in 2018.

                                          Sheldon Adelson tops IAG’s 2018 Asian Gaming Power 50 list

                                          by Newsdesk
                                          Saturday 24 November 2018 at 12:57

                                          Sheldon Adelson, the Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, has topped the Asian Gaming Power 50 – an annual ranking of the most influential individuals in the Asian gaming industry – for the sixth consecutive year...

                                          Big 50 list

                                          by Newsdesk
                                          Friday 23 November 2018 at 22:35

                                          Rank Score Name Title Organization 1 7,598 Sheldon Adelson CEO and Chairman Las Vegas Sands and Sands China 2 7,493 Francis Lui Deputy Chairman Galaxy Entertainment Group 3 4,825 Lawrence Ho Chairman and CEO Melco Resorts 4 3,165 Lim Kok...

                                          2018 Inside Asian Gaming Power 50: Number 1 – Sheldon Adelson

                                          by Newsdesk
                                          Friday 23 November 2018 at 22:30

                                          Adelson tops the pile in Asia once again because he has the best things now, Macau and Singapore, money machines on track to generate US$5 billion EBITDA this year

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