Inside Asian Gaming

76 Scientific Games: Link to good fortune 78 Aristocrat: Enter the dragon 80 Betsoft: Beyond the reels 82 Asian content key for IGT 84 nanocosmos: Cloud surfing 88 VizExplorer: hi-Viz 90 Abbiati: Chipping up 92 Comtrade: An argument for CRM systems 96 Matsui: Hot chips COVER STORY CONTENTS MAY 2018 TRADE EVENTS Japan rising Cover Image: IAG Macau and Japan: Licensing looms large The next few years are set to be the most crucial period ever in the Asian gaming industry – one which will lay the ground rules for decades to come in Macau and Japan. 18 G2E ASIA 2018 SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE 12 Breakfast Briefs IN FOCUS 28 Pachinko: Japan’s unlucky loser Japan’s preparations for integrated resorts are hitting pachinko harder than the actual casinos ever will. COLUMNISTS 34 Responsible gaming in Japan Global Market Advisors’ Brendan D Bussman runs through the pros and cons of Japan’s problem gambling legislation. FEATURES 40 Safety first Ahead of the International Association of Gaming Advisors’ 37th annual International Gaming Summit, we speak to two problem gambling experts – MGM Resorts’ Alan Feldman and Caesars’ Jan Jones Blackhurst. TRADE EVENTS 46 Japan rising The 2018 Japan Gaming Congress will attract the cream of the gaming industry crop to Conrad Tokyo from 10 to 11 May. RULES OF THE GAME 52 The ethics of suitability With Wynn Resorts facing regulatory probes in two separate US jurisdictions, the issue of suitability in the gaming industry has never been more prominent. FEATURES 58 Asian ambition IAG chats with Aristocrat’s Managing Director, Asia-Pacific Chris Rowe about his first 12 months in the role and the future of the slots market in Asia. INSIGHTS 64 Social security Open-source platform provider TGG Interactive is taking popular social games to the casino market. TRADE EVENTS 68 Bigger and better G2E Asia 2018, the region’s largest annual gaming industry event, has big plans for its 12th edition. 72 An awards night to remember IAG and G2E Asia have combined forces in 2018 to present the inaugural G2E Asia Awards – the official awards of Asia’s biggest industry trade show and exhibition, G2E Asia. 98 EVENTS CALENDAR