Super Typhoon Yagi severely restricts travel to Macau

AGBrief Editorial

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September 5, 2024

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Super Typhoon Yagi severely restricts travel to Macau

Super typhoon Yagi has severely limited non-land based travel to Macau, with ferry services between the gaming hub and Hong Kong suspended entirely as of 3pm (from Hong Kong) and 4pm (from Macau).

The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted the Typhoon Signal number 8 at 6:20pm on Thursday, while Macau followed suit at 10pm.

Typhoon Signal 8 was replaced with Signal 3 in Hong Kong at 12:40pm on Friday, while in Macau it was replaced at 2pm.

TurboJet, operated by the Shun Tak group had already limited its sailings due to the typhoon, while Cotai Water Jet, operated by Sands China, halted all of its sailings from Hong Kong at noon and from Taipa at 2pm.

The bus service across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge was also suspended once the Typhoon Signal 8 has been hoisted.

As of 4pm on Thursday, Macau International Airport had cancelled some 19 departing flights for Thursday and five flights for Friday, along with 22 inbound flights for Thursday and nine inbound flights for Friday.

Macau’s casinos remained open despite the typhoon, and hotels in integrated resorts indicated they would also remain open, while some F&B outlets closed or reduced their hours due to the Signal 8.

The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has issued a safety reminder for visitors – indicating that public transportation services are suspended when Signal 8 is hoisted. Integrated resort operators also halted their shuttle bus services. In addition, the bridges between Macau and Taipa closed, except for the underground tunnel of the Sai Wan Bridge.

The arrival of the typhoon has also led to the postponement of the opening shows of one of Macau’s top tourism events – the Fireworks Display Contest – which was meant to kick off on September 7th.

Meanwhile, Philippine Department of Justice officials clarified on Tuesday that Indonesia has not made a formal request for a prisoner swap. Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty stated in an interview on Dobol B TV, as reported by GMA News Online, that there is no official request from Indonesia regarding the proposed swap and that it remains only a possibility. He emphasized the need to focus on Guo’s immediate deportation.

In a statement on Wednesday, Guo’s lawyer Stephen David expressed relief at her safe apprehension. David noted that this development allows the legal team to address the allegations against her and expressed concern for her health, safety, and security. He also suggested that this event could be a positive turning point for her cases.

Stephanie Tanpure, Vice President of Sales, Sands China Ltd. said, “It is an honour to receive these two important MICE awards. Being acknowledged by industry peers for MICE excellence is a gratifying recognition of the significant contribution Sands Resorts Macao has made to Asia’s MICE industry. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and professionalism of our MICE team for ensuring that we offer a truly one-stop service. We are also thrilled to host M&C Asia Connections for the first time in Macao, welcoming delegates from various countries to experience our premier offerings.”

Sands Resorts Macao Wins Two MICE Awards at M&C Asia Stella Awards 2024 — _{Stephanie Tanpure, VP of Sales, Sands China, accepted the ‘Best Meetings Hotel (Macao) at the M&C Asia Stella Awards 2024}

M&C Asia Connections 2024

Organized by Northstar Meetings Group and sponsored by Sands Resorts Macao, M&C Asia Connections 2024 featured panel discussions on the latest MICE trends, tabletop appointments and site visits that united Asia’s top suppliers and global buyers in the MICE industry.

Overall the event was designed to facilitate strategic alliances between prequalified international buyers from corporations, associations, incentive houses, independent planning companies, and elite MICE suppliers, including hotels, resorts, convention and visitors bureaus, and destination management companies.

Sands Resorts Macao played a pivotal role in the trade show this year as hotel and venue sponsor, helping to bring this significant MICE event to Macao. Thereby, supporting the MGTO’s ‘tourism + MICE’ initiative, while showcasing Sands Resorts Macao’s award-winning integrated resort offerings and MICE capabilities to the international buyers attending.

The casino’s foreigner-only zone will also undergo changes. It will now accommodate both foreigners and permanent residents, thereby expanding the customer base. Additionally, betting limits in this zone will be significantly raised from the existing maximum of KRW300,000 ($224) to a new limit of KRW30 million ($22,400).

The company notes that, while the expansion has been approved, the exact completion date has yet to be determined. The number of gaming devices may be adjusted based on the operating environment at the time of the expansion.

Similarly, changes to the betting limits will depend on amendments to the Tourism Promotion Act Enforcement Rules, with further details to be announced once legislative revisions are completed.

The HKJC released its annual results on Wednesday, with the group’s Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, calling for the extension of its license to include betting on other sports, citing the “increasing threat of illegal gambling, which is growing much faster than the legal market”.

The HKJC is the sole authorized gambling operator in the Special Administrative Region, which has a population of over 7 million.

The operator reported facing “significant external challenges “during the 2023-24 financial year, including increased competition due to “aggressive marketing of Macau casinos,” noted the CEO.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Asian Racing Federation, Hong Kong Jockey Club — Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO, HKJC

The club also noted a fundamental post-pandemic shift in consumer behavior, with a preference for new digital experiences and outbound travel, impacting both race attendance and wagering.

During the period, the group notes that its racing business was the most impacted, seeing a drop in betting turnover on local races during the season from September 10th last year to July 14th of 4.5 percent, to HK$134.7 billion ($17.28 billion). Despite efforts to expand its global customer base, these were not enough to offset the overall decline, with total horse racing bets falling by 43.1 percent, to HK$136.1 billion ($17.46 billion) during the year.

Income from the segment fell by 4.2 percent, to HK$6.1 billion ($782.4 million), with income from Hong Kong customers dropping by 7.8 percent, to HK$397 million ($50.92 million)

Football betting turnover rose by 2.2 percent to a record HK$160.3 billion, driven by additional matches, 24-hour operations, and new betting products aimed at countering illegal markets.

However, the club noted that despite this growth, income from football betting fell by 16.6 percent to HK$8.1 billion ($1 billion), due to the annual HK$2.4 billion ($308 million) special football betting duty introduced in April 2023, which will remain in place for five years.

Revenue from the Mark Six lottery increased by 13.3 percent to HK$8.5 billion ($1.1 billion), which the club attributed to changes in the jackpot reserve model, allowing for larger prizes.

The operator reported a total wagered amount of HK$304.88 billion ($39.1 billion), unchanged from the previous year. However, its net margin dropped by 10.5 percent to HK$14.8 billion ($1.9 billion), largely due to the annual HK$2.4 billion ($308 million) special football betting duty.

Mirror Joker ventures into the dazzling world of mirrors where not all is as it seems while some rewards are even more than they first appear. Spinning the 3×3 reels, players will aim to create winning combinations of symbols across five fixed paylines. During the base game they’ll keep their eyes peeled for special bonus features including the Mirror Respin and the Mirror Joker themself.

During the Mirror Respin, which is triggered when two stacks of the same symbols land, the reels will expand to a 5×3 layout and active paylines will double, increasing to 10, while also mirroring the stacked symbols on the expanded reels. This increases the chances of securing some big wins!

Not only is Mirror Joker perfect for fans of the Joker series of games, but fans of other iconic Play’n GO series such as the Wilde series and the Reactoonz series are sure to resonate with this fantasy-rich title.

Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, Magnus Wallentin, said: “We’re always excited to release a new Joker title to the series as they’re always a popular option for fans of slots. For players that enjoy straightforward yet enjoyable slots, with exciting twists like Mirror Joker’s Mirror Respin feature, these slots are always a top pick for a great gaming experience.”

With its dazzling mirror-themed designs and engaging gameplay features, Play’n GO’s Mirror Joker is destined to reflect the true innovation of Play’n GO’s extensive library of iconic titles.

“We know our players love the excitement that the Powerbucks games offer, so BCLC is thrilled to launch IGT’s Money Mania – another title that draws upon the same opportunity for cross-channel jackpots,” said Dan Beebe, BCLC Chief Operating Officer. “Both BCLC and IGT are passionate about bringing innovative games to players and fueling responsible growth in the industry. We also recognize that BCLC is in a unique position with our ability to offer cross-channel experiences for players. Whether players choose to play Money Mania at the casino or online, we’re confident this is another game they’ll love.”

IGT’s Money Mania is a proven multi-level progressive (MLP) game that features player-favorite game mechanics and multiple base-game themes. The game includes a $100,000 top-level “Money Jackpot” and a fast-growing, fast-hitting second-level WAP jackpot – “Mania Jackpot”. With a jackpot-reset value of $4,000, the game’s “Mania Jackpot” is designed to hit frequently, especially with land-based, online and mobile gameplay all simultaneously feeding the jackpot meter.

“IGT’s Money Mania omnichannel WAP game is crafted to deliver mid-to-large-size jackpots, drive 1 cross-channel gameplay, and engage BCLC players online and in casinos,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Sales, Canada, South and Central America. “Like Powerbucks, IGT’s Money Mania is at the forefront of jackpot innovation and supports IGT’s commitment to and leadership in omnichannel content and innovation.”

BCLC was the first gaming operator in the world to offer an omnichannel jackpot game when it partnered with IGT for the 2016 launch of Powerbucks slots. Since then, IGT’s Powerbucks has remained one of the top-performing games in Canada and has minted more than 50 millionaires across the country.

Albert Zorrilla joins Zitro with a distinguished background in international business, marketing, e-commerce, and multi-channel strategies. He is uniquely qualified to drive the company’s success in Spain and has over a decade of experience in this sector, where he developed a deep understanding of the market and achieved significant results in retail and digital operations.

In addition to his experience in business management and team leadership, Albert is well-versed in gaming legislation and maintains close collaboration with regional authorities, as well as Industry Associations, holding executive positions in some of them.

Johnny Ortiz, Founder of Zitro, commented on the appointment: “We are incredibly proud to welcome Albert Zorrilla to the Zitro family. His proven track record, extensive experience, and visionary mindset make him a tremendous asset as we continue solidifying our leadership position in Spain. We look forward to his invaluable contributions to our team and the growth of our company.

“I am honored to join Zitro as General Director of Spain and contribute to the company’s continued success story,” said Albert Zorrilla regarding his appointment. “Under Johnny’s leadership, I’m eager to leverage my experience and passion for the business, as well as implement new strategies and drive innovations that further solidify Zitro’s position as the leading gaming supplier in the Spanish market.”

As Zitro embarks on this new chapter, the company remains committed to maintaining its leadership in innovation and excellence. With Albert Zorrilla at the helm, Zitro is poised for a future filled with growth and success.

Four renowned restaurants at Grand Lisboa Hotel and three new dining destinations at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau – received recognition from the annual awards event in Hong Kong. At Grand Lisboa, Robuchon au Dôme and The 8 are both listed among the Top 10 for the second consecutive year, while The Kitchen and Casa Don Alfonso received the BOBM accolades once again. At Grand Lisboa Palace, Palace Garden, Mesa by José Avillez, and Zuicho received awards for the first time, honoured for their exceptional dining experiences.

Two SJM restaurants at Grand Lisboa – Robuchon au Dôme, the pinnacle of French fine-dining in Macau and The 8, the Chinese fine-dining gem of SJM – rank on the Top 10 list, garnering the highest honours from BOBM for a second year in a row. Two additional Grand Lisboa restaurants – The Kitchen, renowned for its premium steaks and seafood, as well as Casa Don Alfonso, celebrated for its authentic Italian cuisine – have also earned BOBM recognition this year.

Robuchon au Dôme, Grand Lisboa Hotel Macau — _{Robuchon au Dôme, Grand Lisboa}

The 8, Grand Lisboa Hotel-Macau — _{Robuchon au Dôme, Grand Lisboa}

Making their debut on the BOBM awards list in 2024 are three destination restaurants at Grand Lisboa Palace – Palace Garden, Mesa by José Avillez, and Zuicho. Palace Garden, which is honoured as a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Restaurant, presents haute Cantonese cuisine in an opulent setting which celebrates the splendour of an imperial garden.

Palace Garden, Grand Lisboa Palace — _{Palace Garden, GLP}

Restaurant Mesa, Jose Avillez, The Karl Lagerfeld Hotel, Grand Lisboa Palace, Macau — _{Palace Garden, GLP}

Mesa by José Avillez crafts contemporary Portuguese flavours that showcase tradition, quality, authenticity, and farm-to-table philosophy of dining. Centred around refined “kappo” cuisine that emphasises the connection between diner and chef, Zuicho invites guests to indulge in an immersive and interactive journey through Japan’s culinary traditions.

BOBM is an annual restaurant awards event first introduced by the Asia Art of Cuisine Society (AOC) in 2012. The AOC created BOBM to serve as an interactive platform for an elite gathering of gastronomy professionals to meet and exchange ideas. The awards provide a guide for diners to identify the best dining destinations, also inspire the culinary industry to consistently create exceptional dining experiences and improve standards of service.

Super Typhoon Yagi severely restricts travel to Macau

Super typhoon Yagi has severely limited non-land based travel to Macau, with ferry services between the gaming hub and Hong Kong suspended entirely as of 3pm (from Hong Kong) and 4pm (from Macau).

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M&C Asia Connections 2024

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