Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | July 2010 44 Briefs Regional Briefs TCS JOHNHUXLEY says the TouchBet terminals at RWS have seen 100% occupancy since the resort opened in February. It attributes some of that success to TouchBet’s configuration as a single player terminal, creating a relaxed environment for new and experienced players alike, thus significantly increasing time on machine. From the operator’s perspective TouchBet also offers multi- game potential. Initially, RWS has chosen a roulette option, but blackjack, baccarat, sic bo and poker games can be added and offered to players very easily, points out the supplier. Brian Chan, Director Casino Planning & Compliance at Resorts World Sentosa, said: “We have been absolutely delighted with the performance of Novo Unity II TouchBet Roulette and have already seen return on investment in a very short period of time. It offers a scalable solution that can grow with demand, whilst delivering more game choice to players.” Meanwhile, TCS JOHNHUXLEY has promoted Rebecca Kingswell to the post of Executive Director of Operations (Singapore). Ms Kingswell will continue to lead the regional sales team from Singapore and report directly to Tristan Sjöberg, Managing Director (Asia). Ms Kingswell has 15 years experience of working in Asia, including a leading role in setting up TCS JOHNHUXLEY’s operations in Macau in 2003. She moved to Singapore in a newly created role as Regional Sales Director in May 2008. In that job, she has built sales and an effective network for after sales service and support in Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, India and Nepal. “Rebecca’s hard work and understanding of the Asian market has undoubtedly contributed to the company’s success in the region,” said Tristan Sjöberg “It culminated in the substantial orders recently received for the integrated resorts of Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. Rebecca’s knowledge and experience is second to none and we are sure she will continue to develop and contribute to the group’s success,” he added. Happy returns for Interblock in Vietnam Interblock Asia has successfully installed its electromechanical roulette multiplayer Megastar 08 at Club 21 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company says the third generation eight-station Megastar 08 is its most successful product thanks to its reliability and robust but elegant design. By using Interblock produced electronicsandsoftware,thecompany adds it is able to maximise the quality of its after sales service and support to venue operators. Sands China Seeks Chinese airline partner Sands China Ltdmay teamup with a Chinese airline flying toMacau to start low-budget travel deals, according to a Bloomberg report. “We are very hopeful that we will see a new carrier service coming to Macau within the next 12 months,” Chief Executive Officer Steve Jacobs said in an interview in Beijing. “There are quite a few low-cost airlines that would love to come to Macau.” Sands China, the Hong Kong-listed unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVS), seeks partnerships with travel agents andmay start two-to-four day package deals to Macau, Mr Jacobs said in a speech in Beijing. About half of the company’s rooms are sold to families, he said. About 85 percent of Sands China’s customers come from mainland China—which excludes Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Mr Jacobs didn’t specify which airlines he had discussions with. Air China Ltd, China Eastern Airlines Corp’s Shanghai Airlines, Air Macau and Xiamen Airlines are among the carriers that have flights to Macau from mainland China. Sands China’s tour of 13 Chinese cities focused on Macau’s entertainment, hotel, and business facilities. Mr Jacobs’ speech in Beijing did not mention gaming. Mr Jacobs also said financing for a new resort in Macau is “more than sufficient” to complete a new 6,000-room project in the third quarter of 2011. Sands China last year raised US$2.5 billion in an initial public offering and $600 million in a convertible bond sale. It is using $500 million from the listing for the resort complex as well as a $1.75 billion loan signed on May 17, he said. Last year, LVS derived 73% of its US$4.56 billion revenue in Macau. The proportion of revenue LVS earns in Asia is set to increase further after the US$5.5 billion Marina Bay Sands opened in Singapore in April. Winning Touch for TCSJOHNHUXLEY in Singapore TCS JOHNHUXLEY scored a major sales success with Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore, including an order for more than 100 Novo Unity™ II TouchBet® Roulette terminals. Genting International, the operator of RWS, had previously installed Novo TouchBet Roulette at ResortsWorld Genting, its casino property in neighbouring Malaysia. Interblock’s Megastar 08 Rebecca Kingswell