First ever “Super September” series at Manila’s Newport World Resorts a resounding success as industry turns out in numbers

Inside Asian Gaming’s first ever “Super September” has drawn to a conclusion, with the final session of the inaugural IAG Academy Summit on Thursday afternoon concluding a huge week of insights and interaction at Manila’s Newport World Resorts.

The celebrations began last Tuesday evening with the return of Manila After Dark, where 130 people enjoyed the festivities at Newport World Resorts’ Grand Bar & Lounge. Representatives from Philippine national regulator PAGCOR and from the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority along with major operators, industry suppliers, legal eagles, media and other industry representatives joined the IAG team for a night of fine canapés, free flowing drinks and lively conversation.

Manila After Dark at Newport World Resorts’ Grand Bar & Lounge.

There were also five lucky draw winners who each took home gift vouchers courtesy of Newport World Resorts valued between Php3,000 and Php10,000.

IAG thanks all our Manila After Dark sponsors for their support: Newport World Resorts as Venue Sponsor, Light & Wonder as Platinum Sponsor and Aristocrat, Everi, FBM and IGT as Gold Sponsors.

The inaugural IAG Academy Summit kicked off on Wednesday morning at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts with the Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR, Alejandro Tengco, not only delivering the Keynote Address but also joining a lively regulators’ panel that also featured Khim Oudam, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs and Licensing Department for the Commercial Gambling Management Commission (CGMC) of Cambodia, and Peter Cohen, Director of Regulatory Affairs for The Agenda Group.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco delivered the Keynote Address on Day 1 of the IAG Academy Summit

With some 150 people in attendance, Mr Tengco not only provided an update on his privatization plans for PAGCOR’s casino operations but insights into his perspective on how gaming should be regulated in the Philippines.

Other sessions saw Professor Toru Mihara of the Council for the Promotion of Integrated Resorts, a Japanese government body, provide an update on where Japan’s IR process currently sits, while there was an in-depth look at the Philippines’ new EGM Technical Standards and a review of the impact of recent changes to the Macau Gaming Law.

Day 2 of the IAG Academy Summit began with a Keynote Address from Atty. Agnes Devanadera, President and CEO of the Clark Development Corporation, who outlined her vision for the rapidly rising Clark Freeport Zone including an overview of its current attractions and facilities.

Atty Agnes Devanadera delivered the Day 2 Keynote Address at the IAG Academy Summit

A panel session on Clark followed, with IAG’s Ben Blaschke joined on stage by Hann Resorts’ Dennis Andreaci and D’Heights’ Eduardo Dacanay, while a very well attended Suppliers’ Panel featured Aristocrat’s Daniel Milrad, IGT’s Michael Cheers and Light & Wonder’s Ken Jolly.

A highlight of the day was a unique “At the Bar” session midway through the afternoon at which Lorraine Koo, Corporate COO of leading junket Dowinn Group, not only told IAG’s Vice Chairman and CEO Andrew W Scott all about junkets in the Philippines but made cocktails for the two of them while she did it in a masterful display of multi-tasking!

Finally, Newport World Resorts’ very own COO Hakan Dagtas, Hann’s Dennis Andreaci and PAGCOR’s General Manager, Licensing and Regulatory Group Daniel Cecilio joined an Operator’s Panel to discuss various issues and opportunities they face in 2023 and beyond.

Thanks again to all our summit sponsors: FBM as Lanyard Sponsor; Light & Wonder as Barista Coffee Sponsor; Hann Casino Resort, Mega Fortris and Okada Manila as Platinum Sponsors; Aristocrat as Gold Sponsor and Asia Pioneer Entertainment as a Session Sponsor. Light & Wonder was also Day 1 Lunch Sponsor and Aristocrat Day 2 Lunch Sponsor.

Also on the agenda last week was the IAG Academy IR Awards, held in The Ballroom at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts. A total of 20 awards were handed out throughout the evening, with Galaxy Macau taking down the title of Best Integrated Resort in Asia, and Solaire clinching Best Regional Asia-Pacific Integrated Resort. Three Rising Stars – Mark Howell, Wendy Ni and Phil Stormonth – were named as well as three Industry Icons: Dennis Andreaci, Michael Cheers and Hakan Dagtas. Mr Enrique Razon, Chairman and CEO of Solaire operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp joined the IAG Academy Hall of Honor as Outstanding CEO.

Congratulations also to Galaxy Entertainment Group, Light & Wonder, Sands China Limited, Solaire Resort Entertainment City and Marina Bay Sands who were all multiple award winners on the night.

The full list of winners can be viewed here.

Once again, a huge thankyou to all our awards sponsors for making the evening possible: Newport World Resorts as Venue Sponsor, Okada Manila as Welcome Cocktails Sponsor, Hann Casino Resort as Platinum Sponsor, Mega Fortris as Entertainment Sponsor, and Angel, Aristocrat Gaming, IGT, Light & Wonder and Solaire Resort Entertainment City as Gold Sponsors.