Inside Asian Gaming Deputy Editor Raquel Dias chats with Entertainment Gaming Asia founder Anson Wong about the path that led him to start his own business.
Raquel Dias: Thank you for making time for us Anson. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Anson Wong: Wow, that is a little hard. Let’s see – I’m originally from Canada and arrived in Hong Kong in 2002. I worked in private and investment banking for nearly 10 years there, then came to Macau in 2012 – partially because there was a bit of a turmoil in my industry and partially because my wife was also in finance and we thought it was better for us if we diversified.
RD: Was that the reason you joined the gaming industry?
AW: In part, yes. In 2012, I became the General Manager and Chief Financial Officer of King’s Consulting, the company that manages Suncity’s poker rooms. At our peak, we opened rooms at the Venetian Macao, Solaire in the Philippines and Paradise Grand in Jeju and soon the company took on a new direction by opening rooms in Cambodia and other parts of Asia. I stayed there for four years and just last year decided to go my own way and start my own business. That’s when I founded Asia entertainment and Gaming Ltd – AEG for short. In essence, I keep doing the same thing. I do consultancy, especially when connected to opening and operating poker rooms, events and so on. I am stationed in Macau but I get around.
RD: How do you find working for yourself as opposed to having a boss?
AW: That’s a good question! Well, I would say most of it relates to how you decide upon strategy. When you work for yourself you develop your own business, so you don’t need to worry whether you’re going in the same direction as your company wants you to go. On the other side, there is the fact that it is all on you, there are no excuses. Competition can be hard to face and building a business from scratch takes time and dedication. You feel empowered though.
RD: What would you say is your favorite thing about working in the gaming industry?
AW: Curiously, and to the surprise of many I am sure, it is the fact that it is so similar to the finance industry. We tend to see gaming as a separate world, but at the end of the day it is just a business like any other. We’re offering products or services and ensuring these are in accordance with rules and regulations. I guess that is why I always felt so comfortable here. I was looking for a new experience when I moved to Macau and got it, but in many ways I feel there are similarities in both fields. I also think, being a man, that it is almost a “battle of egos” and that appeals to me.
RD: Is there still a negative view of the industry?
AW: There is a part of gaming that is associated somewhat with a lack of control. But on the other hand, gaming is also seen as a glamorous world. I guess the secret is to treat gambling as any other night out. Just enjoy yourself, spend a bit of money and have a good time. I feel that the almost evil image that is imposed upon the industry is unfair and extreme.
RD: How about hobbies? What do you do in your spare time?
AW: I actually love board games and playing all sorts of “battle of the minds” type of games. I used to play a lot of sport in Canada, but unfortunately here in Macau it is almost impossible to have that kind of activity. Most of the sports I got involved in were related to snow in one way or another and of course there is no snow in Macau! I do enjoy going out and dining out.
RD: Is that so? What would you say is your favorite restaurant here?
AW: Oh, I don’t want to mention too many names – there are all sorts of places I like to go to. A favorite though is il Teatro at Wynn Macau. Who doesn’t love to dine with that beautiful view of the fountain? Of course, the food is delicious too.
RD: What do you like most about Macau in general?
AW: The safety. especially for a city with such a nightlife and all these big casinos, it is impressive that a person can feel so safe – not only for ourselves but for our loved ones too. The other aspect of Macau is that everything is so convenient. I used to think Hong Kong was small and convenient, but nothing beats Macau in that sense.
RD: So Macau is the future for you?
AW: For the time being and as long as I am connected to the industry, I simply see no better place to be.
