Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming December 2016 42 In a statement, APL President Judic Kim said, “The Asia Poker League has always hosted events in compliance with local laws. If there is a misunderstanding related to the scope of the event with the local authorities and that this problem cannot be solved it’s our responsibility to take such a decision (to close it down). “Our priority is to protect our players and to make sure that the Asia Poker League’s future in Mainland China remains intact.” The abandonment of the event comes 18 months after the APPT Nanjing Millions was shut down by police and organizers arrested in a clear statement of intent from Chinese authorities that unauthorized gambling of any sort would not be tolerated. APL Shanghai had reportedly obtained a license to operate via the PokerSports Shanghai Club, however a number of other regional poker tours have refrained from hosting events on the mainland due to concerns over the validity of locally issued licenses. REGIONAL BRIEFS Tak Chun to focus future on Cotai One of Macau’s leading junket operators, Tak Chun Group, says Cotai and Taipa will be its focus in the future as it continues to shift operations away from Peninsula properties. Having opened its most recent VIP Club on 24 November at Studio City – its third VIP Club launch in Cotai over the past three months following on from Wynn Palace and The Parisian – the company said it was doing so, “in order to actively renew the Group’s visibility, market position, and premium services that are offered in every one of its outlets to its VIP customers.” In September, Tak Chun announced that it was ceasing its operations at MGM Macau, shifting its 15 tables across to The Parisian instead. Nevertheless, CEO Levo Chan has described 2016 as a “meaningful” year for the Group which now boasts 13 VIP Clubs in Macau and 15 globally. “This year has been a meaningful one for Tak Chun Group as it has made some extraordinary achievements along the year,” he said. “While the market has continued to witness re-adjustments, Tak Chun has kept on progressing at a steady pace and has once again proven its market position as a recognized leading operator in the gaming industry.” Tak Chun’s newest VIP Club at Studio City is located on the second floor of Star Tower, covering 1,000 square meters and boasting four rooms with nine tables between them. Asia Poker League Shanghai shut down by authorities Just over a month after 18 Crown Resorts employees were detained in mainland China on suspicion of committing gambling crimes, Chinese authorities have sent another strong message by ordering the Asia Poker League (APL) Shanghai poker tournament to shut down operations just a few hours after it had begun. The Asia Poker League (APL) was launched earlier this year with the promise of running a series of tournaments across mainland China – a move that immediately raised eyebrows given the obvious risks involved. And after hosting a previous event in Beijing recently without a hitch, the APL wasn’t so lucky this time around amid rumors that there was disagreement among local Kunshan City authorities over exactly how the Shanghai event should run. Macau mass market stronger than reported Macau’s mass market gaming revenue grew by a staggering 11% year-on-year in the three months to September 30 2016, an indication of just how strong the sector is becoming in Asia’s gaming hub. Official figures released by the DICJ last month showed the mass market had grown by 3.9% during 3Q16, up MOP$1 billion to MOP$26.36 billion. However, Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen says the real figure is considerably higher given recent table re-classifications which have changed how GGR is reported. “What we found was very encouraging and backs up various management commentary of notable mass market strength and our view that we’re seeing an inflection point,” Govertsen said. “Importantly, we find that mass market GGR actually grew 11% year-on-year in 3Q16, which does include some benefit from new supply. This was 600bps better than the DICJ data.” Govertsen said that while mass remained the most promising sector, premiummass was starting to show encouraging signs as well. “This makes sense in that premium mass customers, for the same reason as VIP customers, shied away from Macau in the context of the anti-corruption drive. Two-plus years on, we think some number of them are feeling more comfortable about their situation and are returning to the market,” he observed.