Inside Asian Gaming

August 2010 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 45 Briefs to ensure Aruze didn’t pull out of the scheme for an Okada Resort, including casino. But incoming Pagcor Chairman Cristino Naguiat indicates he wants Entertainment City to be heavier on general tourism than on casinos. Jay Santiago, Pagcor’s new spokesman, said last month: “We have four proponents which have made commitments to start off construction on the Entertainment City, which is connected to the Bagong Nayong Pilipino. “We are in the process of reviewing the contracts they’ve entered into, the business models that have been proposed, and we’re looking at the lay-out of the project. Chairman Naguiat wants it to be more of a tourist attraction rather than a gambling destination.” There had been some speculation that even the already built and running Resorts World Manila casino and hotel project opposite Manila International Airport would be up for discussion in the wide ranging review of gaming policy ordered by the new national president Benigno Aquino. Resorts World Manila is a joint venture between Genting Hong Kong (formerly Star Cruises) and Alliance Global Group, a local conglomerate specialising in real estate development. Sources in the Philippines say although the Resorts World deal may be looked at, it’s highly unlikely that the government would order it to close given that it’s now an important tourist facility in the capital. Ted Chan appointed co-COO of Gaming at MPEL Ted Chan was promoted last month to a co-COO of Gaming job at Melco Crown Entertainment (MPEL). This follows the departure of Greg Hawkins as President of MPEL’s City of Dreams (CoD). The property has generally lagged behind the underlying growth in the VIP segment, with MPEL’s second quarter EBITDA of US$73 million missing analysts’ consensus by 13%. Mr Chan’s ascent up the Macau management pole began as General Manager of Mocha Clubs. Mocha, the locals-focused slot chain, was started by Lawrence Ho in 2003 when he took over as boss of Melco. Having caught Mr Ho’s eye at Mocha, Mr Chan was recruited by Hong Kong- listed gaming operator Amax Holdings as Chief Executive. Some industry analysts found the relationship between MPEL and Amax suspiciously symbiotic. It didn’t stop Macau’s gaming regulators from approving a deal in December 2007 whereby junket consolidator AMA, a subsidiary of Amax, brought in lots of high rollers to the struggling MPEL property Crown Macau (now Altira) in exchange for a record 1.35% rolling chip commission deal. The symbiotic relationship continued when Mr Chan left Amax and crossed the floor again to become President of Altira, before coming to rest in his new job as “co-Chief Operating Officer of Gaming” for the whole of MPEL. LVS hints at permanent return for Stephen Weaver Las Vegas Sands Corp hinted on that Stephen Weaver’s return to Sands China’s management team in Macau could be extended beyond the consultancy role announced last month following the departure of Steve Jacobs as CEO. The company also indicated that whoever gets the job on a full time basis will need to have strong diplomacy skills to ensure good relations with the Macau authorities. But the company also said the new boss’s job would be made easier if it was being clearly demonstrated that Sands China continues month by month to add value to Macau’s economy. “I think the combination of having a strong current operating situation, along with the gaming, will give the next CEO the ability to deal in the financial, legal, government affairs area. So that’s how we are structuring the business,” said Michael Leven, President and Chief Operating Officer of LVS during the company’s second quarter earnings call last month. Mr Weaver would be a strong candidate on the hearts and minds front. He was widely praised for his project management on The Venetian Macao’s construction, and he was generally seen as a less abrasive figure than Mr Jacobs within the Macau industry and in government circles. Mr Jacobs was brought in during May 2009 to cut costs and turn round the operational side of the business following the global credit crisis in the autumn of 2008. Not long after, Mr Weaver’s public profile began to diminish. One of his last set piece performances as ostensible head of the business in Macau was the signing in late July last year of the deal to set up an association for the Macau concessionaires. Eventually, his role as President of Asian Development was eclipsed by Mr Jacobs’ CEO role. “Stephen Weaver has come back as a consultant to help us through the transition period and maybe even longer depending upon his personal situation,” added Mr Leven during last month’s conference call. Mr Leven is acting CEO for Sands China until a permanent replacement for Mr Jacobs is found. TransAct expands Macau office TransAct Technologies Incorporated, a global leader in market- specific printers for transaction-based industries, announced the expansion of its office in Macau as it increases its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The office will continue to be led by Andrew Hanley, TransAct’s Vice President-International Sales. In addition to Mr Hanley, the Company has hired Sonny Su as Technical Sales Manager for Asia and Australia. Mr. Su will be responsible for sales and technical product support in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly leading the integration process for the complete range of the Company’s “Epic” brand of gaming products, and will report to Mr Hanley. Mr Su previously worked for IGT’s Macau office as a Systems Engineer, while at the same time lecturing part-time about Information Systems & Management Systems Technology at the Asian International University (Macau). Ted Chan