Philippine gaming grows on shaky ground

With billions of new investment in Manila integrated resorts, Philippines casino revenue was the fastest growing in Asia last year and has kept up with the pace this year. But IGamiX Management & Consulting managing partner Ben Lee says Philippine growth rests on shaky foundations and may not last. (The interview took place and was posted before the Resorts World Manila attack.)

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.

James Packer’s Crown hedges Macau bet

With billions on the table in Sydney and Las Vegas, Australia casino leader Crown Resorts sells down its interest in Melco Crown, the NASDAQ listed vehicle running casinos in Macau and Manila.

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.

Razon’s new Manila casino rooted in past regime

As the Philippines prepares to inaugurate a new president, billionaire Enrique Razon Jr’s new Metro Manila casino aimed at local players, is based on approvals granted two regimes ago.

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.

Bank heist bares Philippine money law flaws

Unauthorized transfers from Bank of Bangladesh sent US$81 million in illegal funds to Philippine banks and casinos, attracted by lax anti-money laundering laws.

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 goes French, 2016 hot for Manila, India

Sands China’s Parisian Macao being a big hit tops predictions for Asian gaming in 2016. A move up for Manila, Indians as a target market, Asian operators moving into Europe and Disney Shanghai as a travel disruptor are other stories to watch as this year unfolds.

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.

Melco Crown needs City of Dreams Manila jackpot

Macau casino operator Melco Crown’s new City of Dreams Manila resort needs to hit the jackpot to put the Philippine capital on the global gaming map and to show that the company can create a successful property in a challenging environment. Melco Crown’s sons of billionaires co-chairmen Lawrence Ho and James Packer have enlisted the star power of Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese to aid their cause.

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.

World first Planet J theme park landing in Macau

Coming soon to Sands Cotai Central: Planet J, a groundbreaking live-action-role-play theme park, combining physical and virtual challenges. It will supplement Macau’s family entertainment menu as the global gaming capital tries broaden its tourist appeal.

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.

Manila moves up Asian casino ladder

Recent openings of City of Dreams Manila and Solaire Resort and Casino’s Sky Tower have elevated the Philippine capital’s place in the Asian gaming pecking order. Full build out of the two resorts, plus the completion of two more $1 billion-plus casino properties in the coming years, aim to boost tourism and move the Philippines into the top echelon of gaming destinations in the region, and even the world.

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.

Philippines gears up for casino big leagues

The Philippines hopes to get on the regional gaming map with two $1 billion-plus integrated resorts opening in Manila in the coming months. These properties will need to bring in planeloads of foreign players to meet expectations.

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.