Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming November 2017 6 Melco Resorts Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho says Japan represents the perfect opportunity to introduce a new wave of world-class integrated resorts utilizing “artificial intelligence and technology” to improve the customer experience. In a revealing interview with the South China Morning Post , Mr Ho discussed his company’s attraction to Japan, which he sees as a key strategic location for Melco Resorts to continue its Asian expansion. In particular he sees Japan as an opportunity to transform the global casino business and make a similar impact on the industry as luminaries such as Sands boss Sheldon Adelson, Wynn Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn and his own father, Macau casino king Stanley Ho. “In our industry, there are so many legends like my father, Sheldon Adelson and Steve Wynn, they all created something,” Mr Ho told the SCMP , adding it is time “to improve the guest experience and to incorporate more technology into our services ... to use artificial intelligence and technology to customize the experience for customers.” Mr Ho said he expects Japan to announce which companies have won a license to operate casinos around June 2018 and reaffirmed his belief in the opportunities the country offers. “Japan is an amazing place but it just got 20 million visitors a year,” he said. “Look at Macau, it got well over 30 million visitors. Hong Kong got more than 40 million visitors. There is a lot of potential in the market.” Lawrence Ho wants Melco Resorts’ Japan IR to transform casino industry Macau’s VIP baccarat revenue grew 35% year-on-year to MOP$38.7 billion in the three months to 30 September 2017 according to figures from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). Reflecting the segment’s resurgence this year, VIP revenue accounted for 57.7% of all casino revenue for 3Q17, up from 52.1% in the same period last year when VIP having been as high as 35.4% in the same period in 2016. Slot machine revenue also rose in the third quarter, up 13.4% to MOP$3.22 billion. The number of gaming tables Macau- wide increased from 6,304 in the second quarter to 6,449 in 3Q17, while the number of slot machines also grew from 15,769 to 16,310. Macau VIP revenue grows 35% in 3Q17 GGR was MOP$28.7 billion. Mass market growth was more measured, up 6% to MOP$28.3 billion compared with MOP$26.7 billion in 3Q16, with revenue from mass market baccarat up slightly from MOP$19.5 billion to MOP$20.9 billion. However, the percentage of all casino GGR comprised by mass market baccarat fell to 31.2%,