Top Cambodia casino thinks bigger

NagaCorp plans to build the tallest building in Phnom Penh with a sky high swimming pool as part of a $3.5 billion expansion of its NagaWorld complex that will catapult it into the top rank of the world’s integrated resorts. Plans for Naga3 are going forward as the Cambodian capital’s only casino reopens with Covid-19 safeguards, relying on the city’s burgeoning resident Chinese business community to fuel play as international travel remains at a trickle.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming, contributor to Forbes, columnist/correspondent for Asia Times, 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.

Lawrence Ho triggers Macau mass hysteria

The global gaming capital’s newest casino resort, Lawrence Ho’s Studio City aims to refocus Macau on the mass market with entertainment attractions and no VIP tables. So far, though, there’s limited evidence that Macau can attract visitors for amusements beyond gaming.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes 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.

Galaxy, rival casinos expand as Macau contracts

In the midst of a yearlong revenue, Galaxy Macau unveiled a $3 billion expansion to its Cotai resort last week. It’s the first of the $20 billion wave of new resorts aiming to refocus Macau on the mass market and non-gaming attractions.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes 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 losing big bet on Chinese tourists

March visitor arrivals in Macau fell 13.5 percent, including a 17% decline in arrivals from mainland China. Macau increasingly relies on mainland China tourists, but the March numbers plus 11 straight months of falling casino revenue highlight the perils of that choice.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes 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.