Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | February 2014 8 COVER STORY While Macau grabs all the headlines, the Asian region has experienced a diverse year when it comes to gaming. Markets have ranged from flat to explosive, government-casino conflict has been prominent in some locales while others have been far more amicable, and new resorts are on the radar with price tags unlike anything seen before. Governments across the region are after tourism dollars, and gaming is seen to be a major part of that, to the point where it is being considered for locals in jurisdictions where it has been off limits. And tourism is what they’re getting: Asia led the world in tourism growth to August 2013, with a 6% increase; the increase in Southeast Asia was a healthy 12%. East Asia continues to lead the world for growth, with the World Bank forecasting a strong 7.1% as of October 2013. “East Asia-Pacific continues to be the engine driving the global economy, contributing 40 percent of the world’s GDP growth—more than any other region,” said Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional vice president. Foreign direct investment also continues to flow into the region, which has a few countries very thirsty for it, though questions could be asked of its sustainability as the US Federal Reserve tapers its bond-buying efforts. For now, it is generating growth across sectors, and gaming companies with deep pockets are very much amongst it. Bright Year Ahead Photo: Karl Baron/flickr