Inside Asian Gaming

DECEMBER 2017 INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 71 ASIAN GAMING POWER 50 2 0 1 7 In addition to the 65 people in the combined BIG 50, “The next five” and the “Ones to watch” , we also have a list of 30 people who we consider “On the radar” . This list is not published, but we use it each year to check for potential new entrants to the BIG 50. If you think of a name you don’t see amongst the 65 published in this issue who you think should be on our radar for future years, please email our Managing Editor Ben Blaschke at bb@asgam.com , and we’ll consider adding them to our “On the radar” list if they’re not already there. Ones to watch On the radar Mark Brown CHAIRMAN Imperial Pacific International Now less involved in day to day operations than he was previously as CEO but played a key role in ensuring the company’s Saipan project got going. Raymond Chan CO-FOUNDER AND CEO TGG Interactive The founder of open-source platform provider TGG has signed 13 partner casinos to take part in the company’s innovative business model which could change the face of slot machines as we know them. Grant Chum CHIEF OF STAFF Sands China Former analyst now acting as 2IC to Dr Wilfred Wong at It would be easy to assume the 10 names below are ranked 56 though 65, but they’re not. The 10 below are people who, while not considered in the top 50 or the next five right now, have made significant contributions and are serious contenders for the Asian Gaming Power 50 in years to come. Sands China. Some say he is being groomed for his boss’ job someday. Stephen Hung CHAIRMAN The 13 Holdings Funding issues saw construction on Hung’s uber-luxury hotel The 13 halted in June. The company announced a shaky refunding plan in November which saw construction restart with a March launch planned, but time will tell if it comes to fruition. Mario Kontomerkos CEO Mohegan Sun Replacing Bobby Soper, Kontomerkos has plenty on his plate including the company’s much-vaunted Korean IR Inspire. The property is due to break ground imminently. Willie Ocier VICE CHAIRMAN Belle Corp The Belle Corp Vice Chairman is the go-to man for the gaming side of the Sy family – the richest family in the Philippines. Ocier is tasked with overseeing the joint venture with Melco Resorts in City of Dreams Manila. Akiko Takahashi EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Melco Resorts Melco’s Executive VP and Chief Officer of HR and Corporate Social Responsibility is a close confidante of Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho. With a background in hospitality, she survived the purge of senior executives in 2017 – a testament to the light in which she is viewed by the boss. Ed Tracy CEO OF ASIA Hard Rock International The former Sands China President and CEO is now Hard Rock International’s CEO of Asia, tasked with expanding the company’s regional portfolio including the number one target of Japan. Yan Xu CHAIRMAN Starlight Culture Owners – Chairman Yan Xu and Executive Director Chen Hong – renamed Jimei International Holdings as Starlight Culture in 2017, signaling a change in direction for the former junket investment firm following the departure of Jack Lam. Exactly what involvement the company will retain in gaming remains to be seen. Raymond Yap SENIOR DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL PREMIUM AND MASS MARKET DEVELOPMENT Galaxy Entertainment Group Raymond Yap is said to be a highly influential figure for both gaming and non-gaming at Galaxy Entertainment Group and will help oversee the company’s expansion in the coming years.