Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming August 2016 6 Cover Story By Muhammad Cohen | Editor at large Muhammad Cohen also blogs for Forbes on gaming throughout Asia and wrote Hong Kong On Air , a novel set during the 1997 handover about TV news, love, betrayal, high finance and cheap lingerie. A sia needs more family attractions to entertain its burgeoning middle class and Macau faces political and economic pressure to diversify beyond gaming. While that seems like a natural fit, industry insiders differ on whether family entertainment is the right complement to Macau’s casinos. “I’m not that sure family entertainment and casinos are a good mix,” says Wynn Macau Director and Chairman of Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, Dr Alan Zeman. “I believe those kinds of activities are better off on their own. It’s a totally different customer … a total divergence of customers.” The Innovation Group’s International Executive Vice President David Rittvo isn’t so sure. “The customer profiles for theme parks and casino resorts may not be similar in terms of core participants or targeting segments,” he begins, “however, by having theme parks and other family entertainment amenities, casino resorts will be able to diversify their offerings to capture a broader range of customers, various age groups, distinctive preferences and more.” WHEEL, WET AND WILD Amid divergent opinions, Macau is betting heavily on family entertainment. Melco Crown opened Studio City last October with an estimated US$900 million in entertainment features, including simulation ride Batman Dark Flight, the world’s highest figure-eight observation wheel, multi-stage House of Magic, Warner Bros Kids Zone and a water park. Melco Crown’s Macau flagship City of Dreams Betting on family fun Theme parks and family entertainment are booming across Asia, but are thrill rides and treasure hunts Macau’s best path toward diversification fantasyland? A spectacular Pool Deck and replica Eiffel Tower will be among the themed features when The Parisian opens in Macau in September