Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming september 2016 24 Asian Gaming POWER 50 2 0 1 6 Kevin Kelley CEO Galaxy Entertainment Group Power 1,688 last – Score year Claims to fame Helped launch the Venetian Macao in 2007 Decades of experience in senior management Expert in mass market 11 A new addition to the list this year, Kevin Kelley took over as Chief Operating Officer of Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) last September after his predecessor, Michael Mecca, switched his focus to the company’s growing foreign portfolio. Kelley’s appointment was a nod to Galaxy’s evolution from a VIP- reliant business to mass market, with the company stating at the time that, “Mr Kelley will oversee functions such as business development, international premium and mass market development, Galaxy Macau, StarWorld Hotel, Broadway Macau and City Clubs operations as well as advancing the development plans for Phases 3 and 4.” Certainly he seems the right man for the job. Kelley’s 40 years of industry experience has been very much centered around the mass market with his previous roles including Senior Vice President of Operations at Las Vegas Sands – where he helped open Cotai’s first integrated resort, the Venetian Macao, in 2007 – as well as various senior positions with Station Casinos in Nevada. The early signs are encouraging, too. Revenues from the mass market segment for GEG in 2Q16 grew by an impressive 29% year- on-year, helping total revenue rise 4% to HK$12.2 billion. Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen said Galaxy, under Kelley’s direction, “seems to be hitting its stride with respect to getting the mass story right at the right time with an increased focus on non-premium mass. “Significant reconfigurations of both Galaxy’s and StarWorld’s mass market floors post-2Q16 suggest we should see continued follow- through into 3Q and should provide a good defense against new supply.” Kelley was handed a difficult assignment given the state of the Macau market at the time of his appointment, however it is clear that GEG Deputy Chairman Francis Lui sees him as the man to move the company forward. James Murren CHAIRMAN AND CEO MGM Resorts International Power 1,678 last 9 Score year Claims to fame Chairman of the world’s second largest casino company Credited with keeping MGM Resorts afloat during the GFC 12