Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming October 2016 42 Review Journal , McCartney discusses the importance of accurately balancing the potential revenue casinos can bring in with the social and tourism impacts they can reasonably be expected to have. “Significant revenues are generated from Asia’s casinos, serving as an important catalyst to destination tourism development,” he said. “The challenge is for authorities not to become complacent and comfortable with these positive economic outcomes, but ensure that with this, greater diversity in the economy can prevail.” Alternatively, “The politics on the use of casinos as part of tourism development are highlighted with the ongoing discussions on possible casino introduction in Japan and Taiwan. Much deliberation in these countries focuses on patronage issues, and less about whether casinos can be a catalyst to tourism development.” In particular, McCartney points to Macau as an example of the dangers of not planning ahead by utilizing a reasoned and balanced view. “As an attraction built to entice overseas visitation, the casino resort’s integration into the tourism system can position the Asian destination to better leverage tourism benefits,” he said. “Macau, as a case study, now grapples with an economy now reliant on casino success and a need to diversify into other tourism sectors. “The casino industry’s integration at an earlier stage of tourism planning will help ensure that rather than narrowly focusing on gaining from gaming taxes and fees, a diversified tourism industry can occur.” REGIONAL BRIEFS Illegal gambling next in Duterte’s sights Having already shaken up the nation’s gaming industry during his first few months in the job, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte now has illegal gambling in his sights. Announcing the government’s latest plans during a speech in September, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa claimed the ongoing war on illegal drugs would continue for another six months at which point authorities would focus their resources on illegal gambling instead. “With the President’s call for change in the country, there will yet be no end to wars we are waging – because after we are done with the war against illegal drugs, in six months, we will shift our sights to eradicating illegal gambling in the country,” Dela Rosa said. “While this is already a part of police operations, we will be giving more life and energy to these operations, the same way we did with our campaign against illegal drugs.” The government’s ruthless and controversial war on drugs has attracted headlines around the world, with official PNP figures showing that 1,506 people had been killed during police operations in the two months since President Duterte took office. Another 720,000 people have been arrested – around 40 percent of the 1.8 million drug sellers and users they have set as a target. However, Dela Rosa insisted the war on illegal gambling would not be as brutal as the current campaign. “They are not drug-crazed who do not understand. Gambling lords will not fire at you,” he said. President Duterte has already made his mark on the country’s legal gambling industry, revoking the licenses of around 200 online gaming sites and ordering gaming regulator Pagcor to sell the 11 casinos it operates. Analysis warns future Asian destinations to plan ahead Prospective future gaming destinations, including Japan and Taiwan, must plan how to incorporate their integrated resorts into a holistic tourism plan rather than view them solely as an income source, according to the University of Macau’s Professor Glenn McCartney. In an analysis published in UNLV Gaming Research and MGM Cotai starts recruiting staff MGM has held the first of a series of Mass Recruitment Fairs as it looks to fill 1,200 of the roughly 6,000 gaming and non-gaming positions needed when MGM Cotai opens in early 2017. Hosted in MGM Macau’s Grand Ballroom in late September, the first Mass Recruitment Fair was focussed on non-gaming positions across several departments including Hotel Operations and Security. More than 800 local candidates attended the Fair with more than 200 employment offers made on-site. Ms Wendy Yu, Senior Vice President of Human Resources of MGM, said, “MGM is committed to giving back to the community through different initiatives; one of which is by providing opportunities for local talent to develop professional skills and fuel their career path at a resort of international level. “We will continue to provide extensive training and support to both our existing and new team members as we anticipate the expansion of MGM’s footprint in Macau.”