The Deputy Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Francis Lui, has topped the 2019 Asian Gaming Power 50 – Inside Asian Gaming’s annual ranking of the most influential individuals in the Asian gaming industry.
The 2019 Asian Gaming Power 50 was announced at a black tie gala dinner held at JW Marriott, Galaxy Macau on Friday night, with Lui snapping a run of six consecutive years at number one by Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO, Sheldon Adelson.
The strong growth enjoyed by Galaxy in recent years carried through into 2019 with Lui sneaking into top spot for the first time since 2012 based on the detailed Power Score ranking system used by IAG to determine final positions.
It was an incredibly tight race, however, with Lui totaling a Power Score of 7,764 and Adelson 7,762.
Adelson slipped back to number two after a year in which illness saw him restricted to limited duties for the company he founded 31 years ago. Melco Resorts and Entertainment Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho claimed the number three position on IAG’s Asian Gaming Power 50 list and proved he will be a contender for top spot in the coming years as his Power Score surged from 4,825 last year to 6,298 in 2019.
While Adelson no longer holds top spot, the company’s strong presence in Asia saw Las Vegas Sands with three executives in the top 10, with Rob Goldstein climbing one spot to seventh and Dr Wilfred Wong in eighth.
Also making a move in 2019 was MGM Co-Chairperson and Executive Director Pansy Ho, up from 10th to 5th thanks to rising revenues at MGM Cotai and her recent power play at SJM.
New additions to the list in 2019 include Melco Resorts President Evan Winkler following his recent promotion, Lim Keong Hui – the son of Genting Berhad boss KT Lim – who has taken on greater responsibility in 2019, Meg-Star Group Chairman Thomas Pang and Delta Corp Chairman Jaydev Mody.
Click here for the full list of the 2019 Asian Gaming Power 50.
The 2019 Asian Gaming Power 50 Black Tie Gala Dinner saw 300 of the industry’s most important people gather together for a night of colorful conversation and lively entertainment in the company of many industry peers and influencers.
Guests arriving at JW Marriott, Galaxy Macau enjoyed an hour of Welcome Cocktails courtesy of Okada Manila, including fine French champagne supplied by Moët Hennessy Diageo.
Afterwards, in the Grand Ballroom of JW Marriott, guests were treated to a fine four-course meal while enjoying a variety of jaw-dropping entertainment including a spectacular mirror ball act by Russian rhythmic gymnastics performer Valerie Murzak, a one-of-a-kind aerial act by England’s Stephane Reid and music by the Blaine Whitaker band with Janaia Farrell.
First published by IAG in 2008, the Asian Gaming Power 50 has become renowned as the definitive guide to the most influential people in the Asian gaming industry over the preceding 12 months.
Galaxy Entertainment Group was Title Sponsor of the Asian Gaming Power 50 Gala dinner, with Okada Manila Welcome Cocktails Sponsor.
Aristocrat, Bloomberry Resorts, Solaire Resort & Casino and Suncity Group were Platinum Sponsors, with Scientific Games the Entertainment Sponsor and Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM China, Sands China, SJM Holdings and Wynn Resorts all Gold Sponsors.
Moët Hennessy Diageo Macau was Beverage Sponsor of the Gala Dinner.
A huge thank you to all who attended the 2019 Asian Gaming Power 50 Black Tie Gala Dinner and of course to all of our sponsors. We look forward to seeing you all again – and hopefully some new faces too – at the 13th Asian Gaming Power 50 Black Tie Gala Dinner on Friday 6 November 2020.
