Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING APR 2019 4 APR 2019 Cover Image: 16 COVER STORY CONTENTS Breakfast Briefs 10 Tigre de Cristal is pioneering Russia’s Primorsky market near Vladivostok and hoping to retain its lead in the emerging cluster. Summit Ascent Holdings Russian revolution IN FOCUS 26 Changing of the guard Recent health scares suffered by SJM founder Dr Stanley Ho and Las Vegas Sands kingpin Sheldon Adelson are a stark reminder that the end of an era could come sooner rather than later. COLUMNISTS 34 Ready player one Could popular augmented reality apps like Pokemon Go highlight the next step forward for using such technology on casino floors? JAPAN 38 Japan’s MICE opportunity Japan has some ground to make up if it is to become a world leader in the MICE space, but the advent of IRs presents the perfect chance to ride the MICE wave to the top. FEATURES 46 Rise of the machines IAG speaks with Herman NG, CEO and Executive Director of Macau’s Asia Pioneer Entertainment, about the company’s strong 2018 growth, its Asian expansion plans and the state of the EGM industry in Macau. JAPAN 50 Cruise control Moves to develop an integrated resort on Osaka’s Yumeshima Island could also provide a welcome spark to the country’s cruise ship industry. INDUSTRY PROFILE 54 Jason Tomas: Explorer’s spirit Having recently arrived in Macau as Product Marketing Manager for SG Gaming, Jason Tomas sits down with IAG to discuss his career journey from the Philippines to his new home. 58 EVENTS CALENDAR