Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) has bolstered its Japan team with the appointment of former Melco Resorts Chief Operating Officer Ted Chan as COO – Japan Development.
Chan, who had been the subject of widely known rumors suggesting he was in discussions with both SJM and Macau junket operator Suncity, will be based in Japan where he will be responsible for overseeing Galaxy’s Japan IR bid.
In a statement, GEG Vice Chairman Francis Lui said, “I am delighted to welcome Ted to GEG and I am confident that he will add significant value to our existing team and successfully drive the execution of our Japan International expansion ambitions. Ted brings a wealth of gaming and integrated resort experience to GEG and we are fortunate to have a person of his caliber and experience joining GEG.”
Chan’s recruitment was quickly applauded by industry commentators, with analysts from brokerage Bernstein lauding it as a positive for Galaxy.
“The company has been positioning itself as a strong potential candidate for a Japan integrated resort development if the gaming process were to move forward,” said Bernstein’s Vitaly Umansky, Zhen Gong and Cathy Huang.
“Galaxy has had an office in Tokyo for over three years and has been actively involved in discussions surrounding legalization of casinos in Japan. While Mike Mecca has been leading the effort on international development opportunities, including Japan, the time was ripe to put a seasoned well experienced executive on the ground to heighten the effort as legalization moves potentially closer to fruition.”
Chan’s appointment coincides with Mecca’s nomination to the GEG board. Mecca will step down as GEG’s President of International Development – a position he has held for three years – to join the board. He will remain a director of Monte-Carlo SBM and also joins the Japan development committee.
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