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Konami Gaming announces new appointments to North America sales leadership team

Nelson Moura
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Konami Gaming announces new appointments to North America sales leadership team

Konami Gaming has appointed Chris Rowe as Vice President of North American Game Sales, along with Shane Thompson, who will serve as Director of Sales for Corporate Accounts.

According to the company, Chris Rowe brings two decades of experience in the gaming industry, with a background in executive management and sales leadership across Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Africa.

Konami
Chris Rowe, VP of North American Game Sales, Konami Gaming
Shane Thompson, Konami Gaming
Shane Thompson, Director of Sales, Corporate Accounts, Konami Gaming

Rowe’s experience includes 18 years with Aristocrat Gaming before his transition to Konami this month, with over four and a half years spent in Macau, culminating as Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, before moving to Las Vegas to act as Managing Director, Latin America for the company.

In his new role, Rowe will be responsible for driving game sales growth in the United States and Canada.

As for Shane Thompson, Konami stated that he will focus on managing and developing key business relationships with corporate casino organizations, while continuing to emphasize growth in Canada.

“For years, Chris Rowe has demonstrated exceptional leadership in strengthening customer relationships and achieving growth objectives across diverse global markets”, Jay Bertsch, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Konami Gaming.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Genting Bhd to back up RWLV over regulatory complaint

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Genting Bhd to back up RWLV over regulatory complaint
Good morning. It’s good to know somebody’s got your back. That’s exactly what analysts are predicting for Resorts World Las Vegas, stating that its parent company – Malaysia’s Genting Berhad – will provide ‘extraordinary support’ to the operator in resolving its issues with the Nevada gaming regulator. Meanwhile, regulators in Australia continue on the warpath against betting adverts, leveling a record fine at online gaming operator PlayUp Interactive for promoting gambling inducements.

What you need to know

  • Resorts World Las Vegas is expected to receive strong backing from Genting Bhd despite a regulatory complaint, according to S&P.
  • Australian online betting operator fined $400K for illegal gambling inducements, a record penalty as authorities combat betting ads.

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

PENALTIES

Resorts World Las Vegas, Genting

Genting Bhd to provide ‘extraordinary support’ to RWLV

Analysts at S&P Global Ratings are expecting that Malaysia’s Genting Bhd will provide what it terms ‘extraordinary support’ to its subsidiary Resorts World Las Vegas following a disciplinary complaint filed by authorities in the US state of Nevada. RWLV is accused of failing to fulfill its responsibilities as an operator for allowing punters suspected of illegal ties to gamble on its premises. The parent company is now expected to help RWLV smooth out terms with regulators to resolve the issue.

Corporate Spotlight

How 1xBet dominates the Asian market: conditions and approach

1xBet, Asian Market

1xBet operates in several dozen countries in Asia, and the number of partners in this region is growing steadily, which indicates the effectiveness of the 1xPartners affiliate program. The brand offers favorable conditions and a modern set of tools for making money on the Internet.

Know Your Enemy: An Interactive Guide to Online Gaming Fraud

Sumsub, Online Gaming Fraud, verification platform

Online gaming fraud is on the rise in the iGaming industry. In Q1 2022, there was an 85% increase in fake account registrations compared to Q4 2021. While players are undoubtedly affected by gaming fraud, iGaming platforms also suffer due to damaged reputations, huge financial losses, and legal consequences.

Industry Updates

MEMBERSHIP | INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS

RWLV expected to receive ‘extraordinary support’ from Genting Bhd, says S&P

Viviana Chan
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RWLV expected to receive ‘extraordinary support’ from Genting Bhd, says S&P

Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) is expected to receive ‘extraordinary support’ from its parent company, Malaysia’s Genting Bhd, according to S&P Global Ratings.

This follows a disciplinary complaint filed by the Nevada gaming regulator against RWLV, its parent company, and affiliates. The complaint accuses the company of failing to fulfill its responsibilities as a holder of a privileged Nevada gaming license by allowing individuals with suspected or known ties to illegal activities to gamble on its premises.

In a non-rating commentary, S&P highlighted that the Genting group has over five decades of experience in gaming operations across various jurisdictions. The group also holds strategic importance in expanding its presence in the US gaming market. S&P expects RWLV to collaborate with regulators to address and resolve the issues raised.

RWLV’s current BB+ rating with a stable outlook reflects its highly strategic importance within the Genting group. S&P believes that RWLV will receive extraordinary support from Genting Bhd under almost any foreseeable circumstances.

The stable outlook for RWLV aligns with that of its parent company, reflecting expectations of ‘stable operating performance’. The rating agency also anticipates that RWLV’s market position will help maintain a funds-from-operations-to-debt ratio above 30 percent over the next two years.

Regarding the complaint, the report mentions that possible penalties include monetary fines and actions against the gaming licenses of the ownership and property operators. 

In January 2024, MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan, both Las Vegas casinos, agreed to pay a total of $7.45 million to settle charges involving alleged violations of AML laws and the Bank Secrecy Act.

This complaint also comes after the departure of former RWLV President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Sibella in September 2023. Sibella pleaded guilty on January 24th, 2024, to violating AML laws at MGM Grand, where he served as president until February 2019. He joined RWLV afterward.

Wynn Resorts names Max Tappeiner new President of Wynn Al Marjan Island

AGBrief Editorial
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Wynn Resorts names Max Tappeiner new President of Wynn Al Marjan Island

Wynn Resorts has announced the internal appointment of Max Tappeiner to the role of President of Wynn Al Marjan Island, the group’s property currently under development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to a recent release, Tappeiner assumes the role on September 1st, moving up from his current position of Executive Vice President of Operations at Wynn Las Vegas.

The new property’s president had also previously served as Senior Vice President of Operations, joining Wynn Las Vegas in 2022.

Prior to his time with Wynn, Tappeiner also worked in senior leadership positions at Resorts World Las Vegas, Venetian and Palazzo. He additionally worked in non-gaming operations such as Mandarin Oriental and Kempinski.

The executive’s appointment is a further sign of Wynn’s accelerated pace in opening what will be the first casino-resort in the UAE, located in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

Wynn furthered in its recent release that the property is ‘slated to open in 2027’.

Wynn Al Marjan Island is set to offer 1,500 rooms, ’24 dining and lounge experiences’, spa and wellness facilities, high-end shopping, an events center and theater, as well as ‘gaming amenities’.

Wynn Al Marjan, UAE, Wynn Resorts
Hotel arrival at Wynn Al Marjan Island
Wynn Al Marjan, UAE, Wynn Resorts
Main hotel lobby at dusk at Wynn Al Marjan Island
Wynn Al Marjan, UAE, Wynn Resorts
View from the poolscape at Wynn Al Marjan Island

The integrated resort is being developed with partners Marjan LLC and RAK Hospitality Holding LLC.

BetGames appoints Giedrius Vegele as new Chief Technology Officer

AGBrief Editorial
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BetGames appoints Giedrius Vegele as new Chief Technology Officer

Leading games provider BetGames has appointed Giedrius Vegele as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as it targets significant commercial growth with a pioneering product roadmap.

Vegele will focus on supporting the development of cutting-edge games that provide immersive, engaging experiences and bridge the gap between sports bettors and casino players.

Boasting a wealth of experience developing and implementing technology solutions, Vegele has held a variety of roles that have propelled his career, including Senior Engineering Manager at Rocket Software and, most recently, CTO at Metasite, where he played an influential role in driving expansion in the financial sector across the UK, Europe, and the US.

The supplier has also announced ambitious product roadmap plans for the remainder of 2024 and beyond. Vegele is set to take the lead as BetGames continues to develop unique, market-leading gaming solutions.

Andreas Koeberl, CEO at BetGames, said: “We are delighted to welcome Giedrius to the BetGames team. He has a proven track record building and implementing best-in-class product solutions and is the perfect person to drive our product expansion from a technical perspective.”

Giedrius Vegele, CTO at BetGames, said: “I am very excited to join BetGames. They are among the most forward-thinking providers in the industry, and I am looking forward to helping them amplify their presence through optimized product development.”

SpinOn debut title offers gameplay from the gods in Gates of Thunder

AGBrief Editorial
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SpinOn debut title offers gameplay from the gods in Gates of Thunder

Exciting new studio SpinOn has unveiled Gates of Thunder to the industry, its debut title developed via Yggdrasil’s YGG Masters program.

The new game is the first of many that the studio aims to disrupt the market with through engaging stories and immersive gameplay.

SpinOn’s maiden game delivers the hugely popular thunder god in levels of detail seldom seen in iGaming. The hero deity guards Asgard’s gates against agents of chaos that threaten the divine realm across 6×5 reels, featuring tumbling symbols and electrifying multipliers that can unlock legendary awards.

Gates of Thunder brings the electricity to SpinOn’s first-ever game release and with it the new benchmark for online slots that the fledgling studio aims to disrupt the space with.

The title is powered by GATI, with Yggdrasil’s state-of-the-art technology enabling partners to employ the preconfigured, regulation-ready, standardised development toolkit to produce cutting-edge content followed by consistent, rapid distribution.

Zoe Bird, Head of Masters at Yggdrasil, said: “What a first effort from SpinOn! Gates of Thunder is a fearsome feast of fun that really makes the most of the scatter pays mechanic and multipliers. It will also leverage YGG Masters’ extensive network and expertise to accelerate its presence in the market.”

Racing Victoria announces Aaron Morrison as new CEO

Nelson Moura
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Racing Victoria announces Aaron Morrison as new CEO

The Board of Racing Victoria (RV) has announced the appointment of Aaron Morrison as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Morrison has served as Interim CEO since May 2024 after transitioning from his roles as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. He has also been involved with several racing industry boards, including Racing.com and RSN 927.

According to an announcement, Morrison joined RV in 2017, and prior to his tenor was the CEO of the Sand Hill Road Group and held senior executive positions at Crown Resorts Ltd and SkyCity Entertainment Group, where he served as General Manager of the Adelaide Casino.

Racing Victoria

The Board of Racing Victoria also stated that his selection as CEO followed a comprehensive recruitment process conducted by executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles.

“His deep knowledge of the industry, coupled with his strong relationships with staff and stakeholders, makes him well-suited to lead Racing Victoria“, RV Chairman Tim Eddy expressed in a dispatch.

In his new role, Morrison acknowledged the challenges ahead and emphasized the need for necessary changes to ensure long-term success and sustainability in the industry.

“I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be appointed CEO of Racing Victoria. I look forward to working with our dedicated team and stakeholders to grow Victorian racing“, Morrison noted.

He also highlighted the importance of collaboration within the industry and aims to review the structure and operations of Racing Victoria, including its media businesses, highlighting immediate priorities including maximizing returns for participants and enhancing the alignment of resources.

Macau gaming workforce average wages rise in June

Nelson Moura
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Macau gaming workforce average wages rise in June

Macau’s gaming sector workforce has seen a significant boost in wages in June of this year, according to the latest data from the city’s Statistics and Census Bureau.

As of June 2024, average earnings for full-time employees in the sector reached MOP26,750 ($3,346), marking an 8.2 percent increase from the previous year. Dealers also experienced wage growth, with average earnings climbing to MOP21,660 ($2,715), up 6.5 percent due to higher salaries and increased working hours.

Despite a slight decrease in the total number of dealers, which fell to 23,467 (down 0.9 percent), the overall workforce in the local gaming sector grew to 52,518 full-time employees, an increase of 825 or 1.6 percent year-on-year.

Only local Macau residents are allowed to work as croupiers.

This growth reflects a recovery in the city’s tourism volume and an increasing demand for labor as visitor arrivals continue to rise. Macau welcomed 14.4 million tourists in the first seven months of the year, up by 314.6 percent compared to last year.

MACAU-Visitor-Arrivals-July-2024

Accompanying these wage increases, job vacancies in the gaming sector surged to 498, a notable rise of 385 vacancies or over 340.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

The job vacancy rate also increased significantly to 0.9 percent, up 0.7 percentage points year-on-year, demonstrating the need for additional manpower in the SAR’s industry.

The sector recorded 1,492 new hires in the second quarter while 1,143 employees left their positions. This led to an employee recruitment rate of 2.9 percent, up by 1.0 percentage point, while the turnover rate slightly decreased to 2.2 percent.

The Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages of the Gaming Sector does not include junket promoters and associates’ data, focusing solely on broader employment trends.

As of June 11th, Macau had only 22 licensed junket operators, less than half of the permitted quota, in an industry that some 10 years ago had some 235 junket operators registered.

Macau visitor arrivals top 3M in July 

Viviana Chan
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Macau visitor arrivals top 3M in July 

Macau’s visitor arrivals increased by 9.5 percent year-on-year and 18.4 percent month-on-month, reaching over 3 million in July 2024.

This figure represents 85.6 percent of the number recorded in July 2019, signaling a strong recovery.

MACAU-Visitor-Arrivals-July-2024

According to data released on Tuesday by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), Macau saw robust visitor arrivals last month. The number of international visitors rose by 33.3 percent year-on-year to nearly 173,000, returning to 75.5 percent of the figure from July 2019.

Macau Visitor Arrivals July-2024
JULY 2024

In terms of Southeast Asian markets, visitors from the Philippines reached nearly 43,000, marking a 38.2 percent increase from the previous year. Visitors from Malaysia totaled almost 9,000, up by 31.4 percent year-on-year, while arrivals from Singapore, at around 5,700, saw a 13.3 percent increase. Conversely, visitors from Indonesia, numbering about 13,600, and those from Thailand, at approximately 8,300, experienced declines of 7.4 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

As for Northeast Asia, the number of visitors from South Korea surged to nearly 33,000, reflecting a 66.3 percent year-on-year increase, while arrivals from Japan, at just under 8,800, jumped by 57.9 percent.

From long-haul markets, visitors from the United States numbered around 14,900, showing a 52.7 percent year-on-year rise.

In the first seven months of 2024, Macau recorded 19.7 million visitor arrivals, representing a 37.0 percent increase year-on-year and recovering to 82.9 percent of the level during the same period in 2019. International visitors totaled over 1.3 million, reaching 68.1 percent of the 2019 figure for the same period. 

Same-day visitors exceeded 10.4 million, a 51.8 percent rise year-on-year, while overnight visitors numbered over 9.2 million, up by 23.4 percent. The average length of stay for all visitors shortened slightly by 0.1 day to 1.2 days, with the duration for same-day visitors decreasing by 0.1 day to 0.2 day, while the stay for overnight visitors remained stable at 2.3 days.

Japan’s police to start first investigation into offshore online casino operations

Viviana Chan
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Japan’s police to start first investigation into offshore online casino operations

Japan’s National Police Agency is set to launch its first investigation into online casinos operated overseas.

According to The Japan News, these sites have rapidly gained popularity among younger people in Japan, leading some into debt and involvement in illegal part-time jobs.

The National Police Agency will share the findings of its investigation with relevant ministries and agencies, with the goal of regulating access to the gambling sites and addressing issues related to addiction.

While certain forms of gambling, such as horse racing, are legal in Japan, online betting is illegal—even if the site is legally operated overseas. Nonetheless, a widespread misconception persists that these overseas-operated gambling sites are legal to use in Japan.

A survey by Tokyo-based digital analysis firm Similarweb Ltd. revealed that there were about 700,000 visits per month to online casinos from Japan in December of 2018. This number surged sharply from 2019, reaching approximately 83 million visits per month by September 2021.

The National Police Agency reported that 107 individuals used illegal online casinos last year. Of these, 32 accessed these sites via smartphones or other personal devices, a significant increase from just one person in 2022. However, detecting individual gamblers is challenging, and authorities estimate these 32 cases are likely only a small fraction of the actual number.

The agency plans to investigate online casino operators targeting Japanese users, including their locations, money transfer methods, and the volume of visits from Japan. Additionally, it will survey over 7,000 people across various age groups in Japan, from teenagers to those in their 70s, and produce a report on online casino usage by the end of the fiscal year.

Japan approved its first land-based casino last year, with MGM Osaka planned to open as early as 2030.

Although Japan’s entry into land-based gaming came later, the country has long had local gambling activities, such as pachinko, which have been popular for many years.

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