MESSAGE 3
Made in Macau
T
he “Made in Macau” tag has rarely been more
operations, improved visitation with China on the back
than a gimmick when it comes to the local gaming
of warming ties with Beijing and continued support
industry. Apart from a few honorable exceptions,
from the local market are all supporting an argument for
the lion’s share of the supply business to the
further growth.
concessionaires - from equipment, to fixtures - has found
South Korea, touted as one of Asia’s most promising
its way onto the books of international companies. In this
markets, due to its proximity to China and Japan and
edition of AGBriefings, we dedicate our Focus to those
cultural appeal, had another disappointing year in 2017,
trying to reverse that trend, bringing you a story of success
this time due to politics - with the mainland calling its
and a call for a change of policy.
bargaining chip and cutting the country off in retaliation
Within these pages we profile Asia Pioneer Entertainment,
for its choice of military alliances.
which this month joins just a handful of homegrown Macau
Across the straits, the casino charge hit a political wall:
gaming names to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
all systems were a go in Japan at the beginning of 2017,
We hear how it’s banking on strong scope for growth, both
with global operators and cities stepping up to snare an IR
locally and around Southeast Asia, to draw in investors.
license, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s snap elections
Keeping with our local theme, AGB spoke with Jay Chun,
seem to have stalled work on the crucial bill that details
chairman of the Macau Gaming Equipment Manufacturers
how the industry will be regulated.
Association, who told us that he would like to see a shift
We dedicate this edition’s Supplier Special Report to the
in government policy to allow local talent to be truly
MGS Entertainment Show, returning to the Venetian Macao
nurtured and developed.
this month with the support of the Macau Government
For this issue’s Jurisdiction Updates, the AGB Editorial
and over 150 gaming and entertainment companies. In this
Team has undertaken a year-end round up, looking at
fifth edition, the event promises to focus on innovations
the most significant changes that have come to pass,
that will shape the future “smart city”, featuring a number
and some still brewing around the region in 2017. Asia’s
of leading technology companies, including humanoid
multi-billion dollar industry enjoyed a solid year, but a
robot manufacturer Qihan, cloud computing giant Alibaba
few key events showed an alarming lack of preparedness
Cloud and video surveillance company Hikvision.
among operators -- the deadly attacks in Manila and Las
Drop us a line at MGS@agbrief.com to book a meeting. You
Vegas and Typhoon Hato in Macau.
are also welcome to drop by booth #AB32 to meet the AGB
In Macau, the market staged a stellar recovery to lead
team and discuss how we may help you to navigate your
gross gambling revenue growth throughout 2017, with the
business across 22 regional jurisdictions, through content,
high rollers flooding back to the tables. The Macau story
events and networking.
Rosalind Wade
Luis Pereira
is sexy again, albeit not because of the massive spin to Connect with us:
mass from VIP - pun intended. Nonetheless, the Macau government keeps pushing hard to turn the gambling hub
@agbrief
into a more family-oriented leisure destination - with mild success at best.
Asia Gaming Brief
Almost at the other end of the spectrum, the Philippine gambling industry started strong in 2017 but a series of
Asia Gaming Brief
On behalf of Asia Gaming Brief
setbacks have put the market on track for a lacklustre
Rosalind Wade & Luis Pereira
12-month performance. However, an increase in junket
Publishers
www.agbrief.com
NOVEMBER 2017 EDITION Series II • Issue XIX
PUBLISHED BY Blue Sky Venture Ltd. 16/F China Law Building, 409 Av. da Praia Grande Macau SAR | P.O. Box 1139 t. +853 2871 7267 f. +853 2871 7264 e. enquiries@agbrief.com ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES advertising@agbrief.com SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES memberships@agbrief.com EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES editorial@agbrief.com
PUBLISHERS & MDS Rosalind Wade, Luis Pereira MANAGING EDITOR Sharon Singleton ASIA EDITOR Felix Ng DESIGN People Press Publishing PHOTOGRAPHY Agencies PRINTING Hop Sze, Hong Kong
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Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2017