Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING APRIL 2018 38 COLUMNISTS shared by many industry experts that these opportunities should allow Asian gaming companies to capitalize on the patronage and reach of over 1,000 casinos in the European Casino Association. Although many of them are very small by comparison to their counterparts in Asia, they are in locations and settings that are ideal for creating unique and exotic experiences which are critical to attract some of the millions of tourists currently travelling from China. Along the Road there are bustling market dynamics in Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, with a high level of variety both in project type and in scope. Development efforts for Melco Resorts’ City of Dreams Mediterranean are running at full speed, and some intriguing opportunities in Greece have surfaced as well. In consideration of Kerzner International’s extensive relationships with Chinese business partners, it would not surprise to see more footprints of Asian gaming developers and promoters in South Africa’s current and prospective casinos. Even for Macau, with its role as a natural bridge between China, Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries, the cross- regional cooperation initiative is believed to help the tourism sector flourish, diversify the economy and convert Macau into a true world tourism and leisure center. RESHAPING ASIAN GAMING With its profound impacts and long-term outcomes, we believe the “One Belt, One Road” initiative has been paving the way for the Asian gaming industry’s next stage of development. The associated trends and changes are going to re-establish the norms and reshape the gaming industry, both in the region and globally, boding well for a brighter future for the industry and its stakeholders. Even for Macau, with its role as a natural bridge between China, Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries, the cross-regional cooperation initiative is believed to help the tourism sector flourish, diversify the economy and convert Macau into a true world tourism and leisure center.