News

Bill Bryson quoted in Asia Gaming Brief

Penghu vote key to unlocking Taiwan casino industry

Voters on the island of Penghu will go to the polls on Saturday in a referendum crucial to the future of casino gaming in Taiwan

You can read the rest of the article here

Steve Gallaway quoted on IGaming 365

Japan could finally pass a long-awaited bill with the potential to transform the country into an international gaming destination, providing a fillip for the stumbling economy.

Read the rest of the article here

Andrew Klebanow quoted in This Week In Asia

Macau junkets are finally on a roll, but will it last?

by Muhammad Cohen

After haemorrhaging money and prestige since early 2014, Macau’s junket promoters’ luck appears to have turned.  This month’s re-emergence of junket executive Huang Shan, who allegedly embezzled US$1.3billion, and the detention in mainland China of 18 Crown Resorts employees suspected of illegally promoting gambling should benefit Macau’s junkets and VIP sector that still accounts for roughly half of the global casino capital’s gaming revenue.

You can read the rest of the article here

Steve Gallaway quoted on Yogonet International

Japan likely to become next Singapore, gambling analysts say

Japan could finally pass a long-awaited bill with the potential to transform the country into an international gaming destination, providing a fillip for the stumbling economy.

You can read the rest of the article here

Steve Gallaway quoted on CNBC

Japan could overtake Singapore as Asian gaming hub as casino bill looms

Japan could finally pass a long-awaited bill with the potential to transform the country into an international gaming destination, providing a fillip for the stumbling economy.

Read the rest of the article here

White Paper by Kit Szybala quoted in GGR Asia

Silver Heritage’s new Nepal resort soft opening Feb

Tiger Palace Resort, Bhairahawa, a casino resort being constructed in Nepal on that country’s long border with India, is due to have a soft opening in February, 2017

Read the rest of the article here

White Paper by Shaun McCamley quoted in Forbes

Proxy Betting Banned in Macau Now On The Rise In Southeast Asia

by Muhammad Cohen

Itching to play baccarat but don’t want to draw attention to yourself in the midst of a corruption crackdown by visiting a casino or break local law by gambling online?  Don’t worry, you can still get a casino gaming fix, live before your very eyes, completely under your control and totally legally, at least until authorities decide otherwise.  It’s called proxy better and it’s an increasingly popular way for mainland China players to get action amid continued scrutiny of high rollers in Macau.  The phenomenon poses new challenges to financial watchdogs hoping to stop money laundering and new opportunities for casino operators and junket promoters to engage their customers and expand their profits. Global Market Advisors estimates Macau’s proxy betting volume grew 15% last year, while overall VIP revenue fell 40%. Morgan Stanley estimates 8-10% of Macau’s VIP revenue came from proxy betting – before the government banned it in May.

You can read the rest of the article here

Andrew Klebanow quoted in Inside Asian Gaming

Big Wynn for Cotai

by Muhammad Cohen

Steve Wynn became a billionaire largely by defying conventional wisdom.  People said Downtown Las Vegas was dead, yet he bought the Golden Nugget and made it a first class casino hotel.  They said people wouldn’t pay top dollar for the Strip, yet he built Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio – transforming Las Vegas into a luxury destination.  Now, in Cotai, Mr. Wynn has made a US$4.2 billion bet that he understands what diversification means better than the government does.

You can read the rest of the article here

Article by Shaun McCamley featured in Asian Gaming Lawyer

White Paper: Proxy Gambling in Southeast Asia

by Shaun McCamley

Proxy betting is booming throughout Southeast Asia.  In early 2016, industry analysts estimated that proxy betting’s contribution to overall Macau VIP betting volume had grown about 15 percent in 2015 from the prior year.

You can read the entire article here

Steven Gallaway quoted in Asia Gaming Brief

Tigre de Cristal eyes non-gaming to lure local crowds

Tigre de Cristal, Russia’s biggest casino, is focusing on its non-gaming attractions to boost revenue following lower-than-expected demand from locals for its casino offering.

You can read the rest of the article here