Asian-based management consultancy firm Platinum Entertainment Limited has been appointed as the exclusive manager of gaming operations at Royal Halong Hotel’s Royal Casino – a boutique casino in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay.
Formed early last year by Asian gaming industry veterans Paul Simmons and Tim Nguyen – both having most recently worked for Silver Heritage Group – and Mike Walker, Platinum Entertainment will be responsible for streamlining business operations at Royal Casino and implementing strategies aimed at maximizing the property’s untapped potential.
“It’s a wonderful property in a beautiful location; Vietnam’s renowned Ha Long Bay, however, in recent years the venue has unfortunately been underperforming” Simmons, Platinum Entertainment’s CEO, told Inside Asian Gaming.
“The owners (Royal International Corporation) contacted us late last year and asked if we could help them, so now our job is to draw on our experience and expertise over many years working in gaming across particularly in Vietnam to maximize the potential of this exciting venue.”
Described as a predominantly premium mass-focused property, Royal Casino was one of the first licensed casinos in Vietnam when it first opened in 2003 in Quảng Ninh province, and is currently licensed to offer 18 gaming tables and 70 EGMs.
The associated Royal Halong Hotel is a five-star property with facilities that include a restaurant, two swimming pools, spa, gymnasium and KTV.
“The casino, while profitable last year,has enormous scope for improvement based on everything the property has to offer,” Simmons explained, pointing to its location in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ha Long Bay as an advantage no other property can offer.
“I think everyone recognizes the latent potential in Vietnam as a gaming destination, but we have the advantage of being in Ha Long Bay, in close proximity to three international airports (Van Don International Airport, Cat Bi International Airport in Hai Phong and Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi) and in an emerging market that is only going to become more attractive in the future.”
Notably, Simmons sees the impending launch of Hoiana – the US$4 billion integrated resort being jointly developed in Hoi An by Suncity Group, Chow Tai Fook and VinaCapital – in the coming months as another positive.
“Hoiana is an opportunity rather than an issue for us,” he said.
“It will attract people to the country and there is every chance that while they are here they will want to take in some of the local attractions like Ha Long Bay. Our goal at Royal is to provide an option that makes this area an even more attractive proposition.”
