Good morning.
We begin the week in the deep white north with a careful look at the Primorye gaming zone in the Russian Far East, which the local authorities say witnessed “major progress” in 2020, despite the Covid pandemic. Down in Macau, senior officials have been busy lobbying the Chinese government for a further easing of travel restrictions to enable more visitation. We have the latest on how this effort is proceeding. Finally, we reach down to the much warmer climes of Western Australia, where the Royal Commission has been told not to limit its gaze to Crown Resorts alone, but also to scrutinize the behavior of the state’s Gaming and Wagering Commission.
First, the news
- Macau officials lobby Beijing for greater travel opening
- Macau’s revamped Nuwa to open March 31
- Asia Pioneer issues profit warning on full year 2020
- Western Australia gaming regulators under review
- IPI given extension to March 19 before receivership
- Genting HK warns of 2020 net loss of US$1.5 billion
- Indian gaming company Nazara Technologies to go public
- NZ sees jump in gambling spend post lockdown
- SkyCity Auckland removed from Covid restrictions
- NagaCorp seeking Russian construction contractors for Primorye
- Landing shuffles independent board director post
- eSports Entertainment plans Singapore festival in December
- Twelve arrested in Bangkok over online gambling
What you need to know
Macau officials lobby Beijing for greater travel opening
Senior Macau officials have been busy lobbying the Chinese government for a further easing of travel restrictions to enable more visitation to Macau during two key political gatherings in Beijing. During the event, Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng gave an interview to a major Chinese news agency suggesting that Macau deserved more tourism. “Because we have done a good job of preventing the pandemic, friends from mainland China can come to Macau [to travel],” he said in a video interview published by China News Service and picked up by Lusa.
Effectiveness of Western Australia gaming regulators under review
The terms of reference issued to the Royal Commission in relation to the Crown Resorts affair make it clear that the effectiveness of the state’s Gaming and Wagering Commission is also under review. The Royal Commission, of course, has been established by the state government of Western Australia to look into the revelations that emerged in the course of the Bergin suitability assessment in New South Wales. The terms of reference cite three major issues: the facilitation of money laundering, disregard for the welfare of the company’s China-based staff, and the formation of relationships with junket operators linked to organized crime.
Insights
DEEP DIVE
Primorye projects saw “major 2020 progress,” officials say
Officials in the Primorye gambling zone have been on a public relations blitz in recent months, highlighting how projects are now pushing ahead and stressing there is no change in the long-term plans for 12 casino complexes. The Deputy Prime Minister of Primorsky Territory, Konstantin Shestakov, said that development made major progress in 2020 and is on a very positive trajectory. Russian media has shown video images of infrastructure construction powering ahead, despite the frigid temperatures in Russia’s Far East over the winter months.
Industry Updates
- Resorts World LV to deploy UrVenue tech for bookings/ ops
- Jeju casino criticized for forcing female dealer to dye hair
- Two Star Casino employees fired over separate theft charges
- Wynn LV to provide ballistic body armor to security guards
- Okada gets second five-star Forbes nod
Corporate Spotlight
All set for the FBM slots expansion campaign
FBM has been developing its slots offer over the last three years, with operations established in Europe and North America. The company is now accelerating its slots expansion campaign in Asia with Ways and Easy$Link – the two lines of spin reel titles composing FBM’s value proposition for this specific game type.
AGB Initiatives
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