Inside Asian Gaming

17 16 any who have followed the twisted path of gambling industry reform in Great Britain say a smash-up in Parliament and the courts was inevitable. Last month, Govern- ment appeared to be speeding toward it. With sparks expected to fly in Commons and Lords over the selection of Manchester for the sole regional casino authorized by the 2005 Gambling Act, the frustration that has been mounting among existing opera- tors over the Act’s creation of distinct hier- archies of casinos finally spilled over into Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice. It just might flood the tribunals of the European Union too. The High Court was expected last month to consider a request from the British Casino Association, lobbyists for the biggest com- panies in the industry, for permission to seek judicial review of the Act.The problem for the BCA is the Act creates three classes of casino that didn’t exist before, each bestowed with considerably more slot machines and table games than its members are allowed under the highly restrictive 1968 Gaming Act,which applies only to the existing industry of 130- plus casinos and to applications for licenses pending under the old rules, of which there are several dozen. The disparities essentially are these: The new casinos of the class designated as“large” are permitted 150 limited-payout slots; those in the “small” class, 80; the regional casino, the “super-casino” as it’s known, is allowed up to 1,250 machines with no limit to stakes and prizes (“Category A” machines, these are called). Existing casinos, however, are capped at 20 limited-prize machines each.Worse, the regional casino and the large casinos are al- lowed to operate bingo and betting. Exist- ing casinos may not. Worse yet, 11 of the 17 new post-reform properties, the regional casino among them, are destined for cities and towns where existing casinos will have to compete. Strangely enough, the new Act was de- signed to breathe fresh life into the industry precisely by liberating it from the suffocating restrictions of the ’68 Act, and largely it will when it comes into full effect in September. That is, except for the existing industry. Britain’s Casinos Revolt Operators sue the Government for parity; in the balance hang the country’s reforms “The Gambling Act did not adhere to the principle of equality,” said BCA spokesman Richard Jukes. “Government has adopted a position that is difficult to reconcile from a competitive standpoint and from the stand- point of equitableness.” For Chris Brammer the issue clearly is one of restriction of trade. Brammer is managing director of Isle of Capri’s ’68 Act casino sched- uled to open this summer at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena. U.S.-based Isle, partners on several projects with Blue Chip Casinos, a BCA mem- ber, supports the association’s position. “The market potential is huge if you can get rid of these differences,” Brammer said. “But if you can’t compete on an equal foot- ing, it’s a problem. All we’re asking is fairness. We’re not afraid of competition. If someone wants to open a large casino next to my large casino, who cares?” It’s an old complaint, dating back at least to the summer of 2004 when the BCA testi- fied to no avail before a Joint Scrutiny Com- mittee of members of both houses of Parlia- ment called to examine the legislation that ultimately became the 2005 Act. This time, though, the association is se- rious. Its members have ponied up for the high-powered law firm of Herbert Smith, specialists in EU competition and trade law, and retained the services of “superstar silk” Michael Beloff, president of the British As- sociation of Sport and Law, ethics commis- sioner to the 2012 London Olympics and currently counsel to Mohamed Fayed in the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Fayed’s son Dodi. Government is confident it can defend the Act before the High Court. “The limit on the number of new casino premises licenses reflects the government’s cautious approach to this reform,” the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said in a memorandum sub- mitted to Parliament last month.“It allows the pioneers of marketing to the Far East,”points out Mr Lanni. In order to realize its tremendous poten- tial, the partnership needs a top-notch work- force to ensure MGM GRAND Macau’s service matches its glittering facilities. To process the flood of job applications, the company has opted to use an online ap- plications system developed by US-based Vurv E-Recruitment, and adapted for the lo- cal environment. Applications can be made in either English or Chinese and submitted from home or at the Recruitment Center, which features 48 computer terminals in in- dividual booths. The 2,600 sq. m center also features 30 private interviewing counters, 3 trainings rooms that can hold up to 150 peo- ple, 4 meeting rooms, and staff at 10 stations receiving hotline enquiries. MGM GRAND Macau’s Vice President of Human Resources, Ms Ooi Lay-Peng, explained that the online recruitment process offered “a very user- friendly and most convenient”way to submit applications.The center is able to handle 390 online applications per day. Career potential In addition to the necessary experience and qualifications, Ms Ooi said the company is also looking for “individuality and compas- sion” in recruiting team members. She also emphasized the opportunities provided by MGM Grand Macau for career development: “We want to help our employees achieve their full career potential through well-de- signed training and development programs, covering the areas of attitude, courtesy, ser- vice recovery, complaints handling, skills training, safety training, language training, and many others. We will also qualify 10% of our workforce to be Departmental Trainers, and focus on our management development program and leadership training.” Following the opening of the Nam Van Waterfront site in the fourth quarter, MGM GRAND Macau has announced its intention to develop a second property along the bur- geoning Cotai Strip.“That means a great deal of advancement opportunities for our em- ployees,” said Ms Ooi. Palace emerging Construction of the exterior of MGM GRAND Macau is nearing completion, and “very soon, a 35-storey golden palace will appear before you,”said Pansy Ho.“If you have passed by our hotel recently, you would have noticed that the exterior wall of the hotel is featuring the red gold and the white gold sections with the first layer of yellow gold just being installed.” The building is located on a prime water- front site, and the shimmering glass of its fa- çade reflects the hues of the South China Sea, while the shape of the hotel itself reflects the rolling swell of the ocean surf. The US$1.06 billion MGM Grand Macau will feature 600 hotel-rooms and two themed casino areas with 385 gaming tables and 890 slot machines, in addition to 16 private VIP gaming rooms. The property expansion plan will add a further 70 gaming tables and 240 slot machines. Around 6,800 sq. m has been set aside for addition of further gaming and resort facilities in the future. The resort’s “wow” factor will take the form of a 2,320 sq. m conservatory situated on the ground floor, providing a stunning venue for events and dining. The glass-ceil- inged conservatory will rise 25 meters and showcase Portuguese-inspired architecture and dramatic landscapes combined with man-made artforms. Continuing the MGM MIRAGE tradition of world-class dining at signature restaurants by celebrity chefs, MGM Grand Macau will have six restaurants offering a variety of cut- ting-edge cuisines. The state-of-the-art spa will span 2,720 sq. m and offer a host of therapeutic and re- juvenating treatments in luxurious surround- ings. The resort will also boast elegant ven- ues to host business meetings, social events and weddings. The convertible convention space of 1,282 sq. m will include a 945 sq. m grand ballroom, with the hotel’s professional planning and catering teams on hand to help create high-quality events. To apply for a position at MGM GRAND Ma- cau, log on to: http://jobs.mgmgrand.com. mo Pansy Ho Royal Court of Justice in London — where the fate of the 2005 Gambling Act will be weighed M