Delays don’t doom India border casino

Silver Heritage Group’s Tiger Palace Bhairahawa casino resort in Nepal targeting India is facing delays and cost overruns. But that doesn’t make it a bad idea, especially in the long run.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Cambodia casino makes Chen a billionaire again

After a two year absence, Malaysia’s Chen Lip Keong rejoins the world’s billionaire ranks thanks to the succession and expansion of NagaWorld, the casino resort in Phnom Penh.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Baha Mar founder gambled and lost casino

Sarkis Izmirilian conceived an integrated resort on Cable Beach with then and future Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie in the early years of this century. When global credit froze in 2008, a deal with China saved US$3.5 billion Baha Mar but doomed Izmirlian, whose gamble on bankruptcy cost him his $850 million investment in the largest hospitality project in the Caribbean. Baha Mar is due to begin opening next month, under ownership of Hong Kong’s Chow Tai Fook Enterprises.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Saipan casino brings Macau to America

The tiny casino in a shopping mall on US Pacific island Saipan reports more high roller betting than Venetian Macao, using Macau tools and connections. But casino owner Imperial Pacific International is struggling to raise money to complete its beachfront hotel with a full-fledged casino.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Macau casinos soar on strong VIP play

Aided by Chinese New Year crowds, February was Macau casinos’ best month in two years. Despite the much-discussed pivot toward mass tourism, VIP play is again leading revenue growth, though some doubt the trend’s sustainability.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Transportation changes alone won’t move Macau

Multi-billion dollar transportation improvements aren’t enough to reshape Macau. The casino capital needs policy changes, too, to shift direction.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

‘Barefoot Doctor’ turns Saipan casino billionaire

In a journey from China’s countryside to an American speck in the middle of the Pacific, Cui Lijie has become a billionaire as majority owner of US territory Saipan’s casino through Hong Kong listed Imperial Pacific International Holdings.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.