Inside Asian Gaming

IAG SEP 2020年9月 亞博匯 96 COLUMNISTS T he unprecedented events of 2020 have seen land-based casino revenues nosedive, with no immediate signs of recovery. Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), especially in states where online gaming is not possible, have tumbled with GGR in Macau estimated to have fallen by 97% in June and 94.5% in July. One major casino brand recently admitted to losing US$2 million a day. While there are some green shoots of growth returning in several nations across the globe, with restrictions such as social distancing measures in place, it will be a challenge to reclaim the atmosphere, excitement and thrills that accompany a physical casino experience. So, can the shuddering halt of the land-based industry act as a catalyst for change in Asia, and encourage players to try online casino? Currently, the Philippines acts as the sole bastion for regulated online gaming within the region and is one of the largest hubs globally. Some nations have flirted with regulating iGaming, particularly as there is a thriving grey market presence. However, with the loss in revenue for casinos and gaming giants across the world, opportunities now exist for a pivot in attitudes and, if the authorities become aligned, we could soon see change. Regulation of online casino could bring significant change to the region, but changes that would make sense. By regulating, nations can protect players from unscrupulous, black market operators and enact stringent KYC/AML checks, ensuring legal processes are kept. It would also allow markets to progress and grow. In nations with tight regulation, not only are players more protected, but there is a perfect fermenting ground for innovation. Colombia is a strong example of a regulated territory shining amidst grey markets, attracting suppliers and operators who are not afraid to introduce new products because the regulatory framework allows them. 2 020年間一件件史無前例的事件，令到實體賭場的收 入直線「插水」，而且恢復無期。全球各地的博彩總收入 都大幅下滑，特別是那些無法進行網上博彩的地方，例 如澳門，6月及7月的博彩總收入就分別下跌了97%及 94.5%，而其中一間主要娛樂場公司最近就承認每天損 失達200萬美元。 雖然有些國家出現了一點點增長重現的跡象，但由於包括社 交距離措施在內的一系列限制依然存在，實體賭場本來連帶著的 那種氛圍，還有刺激及興奮的感覺都將難以尋回。 那麼，實體賭場驟然煞車能否成為推動亞洲改變的催化劑， 並且鼓勵玩家嘗試於網上賭場耍樂呢？ 目前而言，菲律賓是區內受監管網上博彩的唯一灘頭，並且 是全球最大的網上博彩樞紐之一。有些國家亦曾考慮過要監管網 上博彩，特別是那些已經擁有充滿朝氣的灰色市場的地方。即使 世界各地的娛樂場及博彩業巨擘正在承受收入減少之苦，但現在 令到各界對於網上博彩的觀感有所改變的機遇已出現。如果政府 方面同樣關注這個趨勢的話，我們可能很快就會看見改變的出 現。 雖然監管網上娛樂場可能會為 區域帶來重大的改變，但這些 改變都可謂合情合理。通過監管，各國可以保護玩家免於陷入不 道德的黑市營運商的陷阱，同時亦能夠採取嚴謹的「知道你的客 戶」或反洗黑錢調查，以確保整個過程都能合法地進行。 與此同時，市場亦可以經歷進步及擴充。在那些有嚴謹監管 的國家，不止是玩家會得到更充分的保護，同時亦會推動創新。哥 倫比亞就很好地展示出一個有監管的地方如何從一眾灰色市場 中脫穎而出，並且吸引供應商及營運商在知悉法律框架的保護下 無懼引入新產品。 就算是那些最近才開始監管網上博彩的國家，例如擁有悠 久實體賭場歷史的瑞士，都察覺到監管網上博彩的正面效果，就 是讓法律框架去引導正面的行為，並且懲罰那些嘗試繞過法規的