Your Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Japan's IR policy totters

Good morning.

We’ve been keeping a watchful eye on Genting’s international projects today. In Japan, analysts from Maybank Research say that Genting is in a strong position to win the Yokohama IR license, which could generate as much as $7 billion a year. Meanwhile, its new property in Las Vegas is also set to be a real winner for the company, but not after a slightly rocky start due to the pandemic, according to UOB researchers. Speaking of Japan, our AGB Nippon Weekly piece looks at the state of Japan’s IR industry, which looks to be in shambles as IR operators pull out of the race one by one.

First, the news

Resorts World Las Vegas ramp up could take two years
Genting in strong position for Yokohama IR license: Maybank
Japan’s IR policy totters after operators hit exits
SJM CEO calls for one-year concession extension
Angela Leong becomes sole owner of L’Arc Macau casino
Genting Malaysia stock drops 5% as Covid cases surge
Sri Lanka port city plans need public referendum
Philippines horse racing expected to grow
Manila IRs get some Covid relief with staycation permission
Marina Bay Sands reopens after deep cleaning
Twin Casino launches in Japan market
South Shore Holdings sees resignation of three directors

What you need to know

Resorts World Las Vegas ramp up could take two years

Genting Berhad’s Resorts World Las Vegas could offer long-term growth prospects for the company but will incur losses in the first two years before turning a modest profit in its third year, according to analysts from UOB Kay Hian Research. “With the lingering uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic, we expect RWLV to initially operate at 40%-50% capacity – we expect RWLV to achieve optimal capacity of 85%-90% from 2024 onwards,” said the brokerage. The $4.3 billion resort will be the Genting group’s third-largest after its properties in Malaysia and Singapore and is on track for a summer opening.

Genting Singapore in strong position for Yokohama IR: Maybank

Genting Singapore is in a strong position to win a license for an integrated resort in Yokohama, which has the potential to generate gross gambling revenue of about $7 billion a year, Maybank Research said. Such a resort would be likely to generate $2.7 billion in net profit for Genting and would be worth S$0.60 a share, which “translates into substantial earnings and valuation upside” for the operator. Maybank however warned that there is a major potential caveat and that relates to the political situation, with mayoral elections coming up on August 22. All of its “efforts may come to naught if an anti-IR mayor is elected,” it said.

Twin Casino launches in Japan market

Malta-based Twin Casino has announced that it is the latest entrant to the Japanese online casino market. Twin is putting emphasis on the wide range of games that it is making available to its Japanese customers, including online pachislot themed games. Further to popular local payment options for deposits and withdrawals, including VenusPoint, Sticpay, AstroPay card, EcoPayz, Jeton, Muchbetter, and InPay, Twin has also integrated with AstroPay OneTouch among its payment options, enabling players in Japan to make deposits and withdrawals through four cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple.

Insights

AGB NIPPON

Japan’s IR policy totters after operators hit exits

Japan’s bid to create a world-beating IR market is hanging in the balance after a series of high-profile exits and political mismanagement. The situation has become so dire that it is no longer out of the question that Japan’s IR development policy might collapse altogether, or at least be forced to hit the pause button for a good, long while. Of all the candidate locations, only the IR process in Nagasaki can be said to be proceeding well.

Your Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Japan's IR policy totters

Corporate Spotlight

Pragmatic Play on the forefront of Asian markets growth

With so much room for development in the Asian markets, Pragmatic Play isn’t resting on its laurels. The increasing acceptance of igaming has seen a slow change in attitude towards regulation, with more and more markets on the cusp of delivering legislative roadmaps, which will truly propel the market to a period of hypergrowth – something Pragmatic Play intends to be at the forefront of.