Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING DECEMBER 2017 12 THE CEO OF Macau’s biggest junket operator, Suncity Group, believes the government needs to worry less about what other jurisdictions are doing and focus more on maintaining Macau’s position as the global gaming leader, claiming the city is “already the World Center of Tourism.” His comments came during a panel discussion at MGS Entertainment Show which aimed to examine the role technology will play in the future of Macau’s junket MACAU “ALREADY THE WORLD CENTER OF TOURISM,” SAYS SUNCITY’S ALVIN CHAU However, NISADE Chairman Jonathan Martin revealed a far more ambitious development plan that “includes a strong bid platform for one of the upcoming Integrated Resort Licenses for Japan – possibly one of the first casinos in the country.” In a joint announcement, Kamori Kanko President Kimihito Kamori said the partnership provided a unique opportunity to expand its offerings including bidding for a casino license should IR legislation pass through the Japanese Diet as expected in mid-2018. “Unlike the structure of other Hokkaido resorts, we own Rusutsu in its entirety, including the resort, ski lifts, golf courses and theme park,” Kamori said. “Subsequently, Rusutsu’s redevelopment requires a highly strategic approach and we found the perfect partner in NISADE, who have been instrumental in identifying the path to executing Rusutsu’s long-term growth plan.” The current development plan will take place across multiple phases with the US$200 million first phase including luxury hotel The Vale Rusutsu and a bespoke onsen and spa facility. All-Japanese partnership announces Hokkaido casino bid industry. Instead, Chau took aim at the government’s push for diversification, insisting that Macau is already diversified and that greater focus should be applied to assisting the continued growth of the gaming industry. “Ten years ago we were all worried about Singapore becoming the World Center of Tourism and overtaking Macau in the gaming sector but in fact Macau’s gaming industry has gone up since then,” he said. “Macau is already diversified. We are just a small city but we don’t need to worry so much about the other regions. The business model of Macau is quite different so do we even need to refer to the other regions? “Why not just recognize that we are already the World Center of Tourism and that Macau has established its own advantages? We need to stop pushing to spend more money (on diversification).” Hotel and resort giant Kamori Kanko and property developer Niseko Alpine Developments (NISADE) have announced plans to bid for a Japan casino license as part of a multi-million dollar expansion of Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaido. The all-Japanese partnership will see at least US$700 million plowed into Rusutsu – a popular winter ski resort owned by Kamori Kanko and boasting four hotels as well as an amusement park and golf courses – over the next two years.