Your Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Recovery is well underway, LVS

Good morning.

Industry finds encouraging signs in Sihanoukville’s transformation into a mass-market tourism destination, with a significant improvement in urban infrastructure. LVS leads off Q3 reporting and although it was a rough period for both in Asia and the US, Adelson says that despite losses, the recovery is well underway. Indeed, Marina Bay Sands in particular seems headed in the right direction. Asia turns up the heat on online gambling.

First, the news

Sands China hit with US$562 million loss in Q3
Macau operators’ Q3 EBITDA loss to narrow to US$823 million
The Star releases chairman and CEO addresses and trading update
Crown ends information sharing with Consolidated Press
Credit Suisse suggests Crown-Star merger
Yokohama anti-casino activists claim signature threshold for referendum
Pixel Companyz ties up with Alidad Tash’s 2NT8
Kangwon Land accused of favoritism in gaming machine procurement
Puducherry government urges blanket ban on online gambling
Dream11 acquires AI-backed fantasy sports startup
SkyCity outlines Auckland enhancement projects
IPI claims overcharge of government fees
Singapore arrests 24 for illegal gambling
Malaysian government losing US$725 million a year to illegal syndicates
Large POGO at Subic Bay shuts its doors
Caesars announces that loyalty program grew 20% post-merger

What you need to know

Asia turns up heat on online gambling

Singapore police have busted at least two illegal gambling operations in the past week, while across Asia authorities have moved to stamp out illicit activities, from raids on premier league matches in India to illegal number forecasting in Malaysia. It’s a perennial problem and the volume of enforcement activity tends to ebb and flow depending on external factors, such as major sporting tournaments. Since the India Premier League restarted in mid September, the arrests for illegal operations have come thick and fast, with almost daily reports of action across the country.

gambling chips

Insights

DEEP DIVE

Sihanoukville strives for mass-market transformation

While it’s too early to say Cambodia’s coastal gambling hub has risen phoenix-like from the ashes, there are encouraging signs Sihanoukville is serious about transforming into a mass-market tourism destination, with a significant improvement in urban infrastructure. According to those on the ground, the government did follow through on its promises to upgrade infrastructure and serious investors are now taking another look at the town’s long-term potential.

NIPPON WEEKLY

Does Japan IR process invite misfortune?

Every nation that hosts casinos or IRs develops their own set of regulations to govern the industry, but did Japan just happen to throw together a jumble of elements into the mix that has actively invited misfortune? The peculiar Japanese approach has thrown tasks to the local governments that really ought to be in the hands of the central government. While surely there should be a consecutive not concurrent competitive bidding process.

Supplier Special

Transact to supply TITO/Printers to Hoiana

Transact Technologies said that it has been selected by Hoiana Suncity in Vietnam to support the opening of their new casino. Hoiana Suncity has chosen two TransAct products, the industry-leading Epic 950 for ticket-in, ticket out (TITO) and the Epic Edge TT printer.

TVBet gets two SBC award nominations

TVBET, the leading live-games provider, has been shortlisted in the SBC Awards 2020 in two nominations: Land-Based Betting & Gaming Product and Live Streaming Product/Supplier — the second year in a row it has reached this stage.