Galaxy Entertainment Group Vice Chairman Francis Lui has topped Inside Asian Gaming’s 2020 Asian Gaming Power 50 list for the second consecutive year, edging out perennial rival and Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson.
The 2020 Asian Gaming Power 50 – IAG’s annual ranking of the most influential individuals in the Asian gaming industry – was announced at a black tie gala dinner held in the Parisian Ballroom at The Parisian Macao on Friday night.
Having last year snapped a run of six straight years at No.1 by Mr Adelson, Galaxy’s visionary leader retained top spot again in 2020 based on the detailed Power Score ranking system used by IAG to determine final positions.
Despite Mr Adelson returning from an illness-induced layoff, Galaxy’s strong balance sheet in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic proved decisive with Mr Lui totaling a Power Score of 5,914 to Mr Adelson’s 5,900 points.
The most notable mover on this year’s Asian Gaming Power 50 list was MGM China Ltd Co-Chairperson and Managing Director, Ms Pansy Ho, who climbed into third place after assuming greater day-to-day responsibility at MGM as well as leading the faction that controls SJM Holdings parent STDM.
Ms Ho jumps two spots in 2020, displacing her brother, Melco Resorts Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho, in fourth and Genting Berhad Chairman and CEO Lim Kok Thay who drops to fifth.
New additions to the Asian Gaming Power 50 list in 2020 include MGM Resorts International CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle, replacing his predecessor Jim Murren; Japan Racing Association President and CEO Masayuki Goto, Dynam Japan’s largest shareholder Yoji Sato; Las Vegas Sands Corporate SVP and Chief Casino Officer Andrew MacDonald; Sands China COO Grant Chum; Macau Jockey Club Managing Director Li Chi Keung and Macau Slot CEO Stephen Ho.
Also returning is former Crown Resorts chairman and still largest shareholder James Packer following revelations during a NSW suitability inquiry that he has continued to wield tremendous power over the organization even since stepping down as a director in 2018.
First published by IAG in 2008, the Asian Gaming Power 50 has become renowned as the definitive guide to the most influential people in the Asian gaming industry over the preceding 12 months.
Over the course of three-and-a-half hours, guests were treated to a cocktail reception before enjoying a fine four-course meal, lively entertainment and the company of many industry peers and influencers.
Sands China was Venue Sponsor of the Asian Gaming Power 50 Gala Dinner, with Bloomberry Resorts and Solaire Resort & Casino sponsoring the Bloomberry Solaire Red Carpet Welcome Cocktails.
Angel Macau, Aristocrat, Scientific Games and Suncity Group were Platinum Sponsors while all six Macau concessionaires lent their support – Sands China as Venue Sponsor and Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM China, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A. and Wynn Macau as Gold Sponsors.
MHD Moët Hennessy Diageo was Champagne Sponsor and Macau Beer the event’s Beverage Sponsor.
A huge thankyou also to local guest artists ARICLAN, Entertainment Sponsor CPG Concepts, Production Supporter Like Entertainment, Farewell Gift Sponsor T-Galleria by DFS and Telecom Sponsor Telecommunications firm Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L. (CTM).
For any media, production and event enquiries, please contact Victoria Man on +853 6395 2307 or at [email protected].
For sponsorship or ticketing inquiries for the 2021 Asian Gaming Power 50 Gala Dinner, to be held on Friday 5 November 2021, please contact Jadeson Ho on +853 2883 6497 or at [email protected].
Details of 2021 sponsorship opportunities will be available at a later date on www.iagpower50.com.
