Saipan casino has old woes, new site

Imperial Pacific Saipan chairman Mark Brown complains that IPI ran the Rotary Club Las Vegas Night highlighted on Forbes.com. Brown also says IPI will manage the Marianas Resort site, where it projects developing a multi-billion dollar destination resort and that more amenities will open at its casino in September. But the hotel completion date remains distant.

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.

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Putin-Kim summit site lures casinos, Suncity

Outside Vladivostok, where Vladimir Putin met Kim Jong-un, and within easy reach of northeastern China, Korea and Japan, Primorsky Krai Integrated Entertainment Zone has Tigre de Cristal casino running and three more under construction. Primorsky has enough promise to lure dominant Macau junket promoter to take a leading stake in Tigre de Cristal through its Hong Kong listed arm.

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.

Singapore casino growth carries steep price

Amid stagnating revenue, Singapore’s casino resorts get permission to expand but must invest a combined US$6.6 billion and endure substantial tax increases in return.

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 March revenue falls, and investors love it

Casino shares rallied in the US and Hong Kong after Macau reported gaming revenue fell 0.4% in March, beating expectations of a much worse showing. But the real story remains behind the numbers.

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.

Osaka votes for a casino sooner or later

In elections for mayor and governor this Sunday, Osaka voters will decide on whether they want a casino sooner or later. No one’s asking if they want one at all.

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.

Slowing China economy flashes Macau danger sign

At the recent National People’s Congress meeting, Prime Minister Li Keqiang announced China’s economic stimulus measures, boosting optimism about Macau casino revenue among some analysts. But the verdict is not unanimous, and the mainland’s slowest economic growth in three decades is hitting Macau right where it lives.

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.

MGM moves ahead in Japan casino race with Orix

Showing the shape of things to come, MGM Resorts International is working with Japan finance giant Orix to pursue a casino resort in Osaka. It’s inevitable that national corporate giants will want a piece of these so-called integrated resorts, one of Japan’s biggest economic opportunities. MGM was smart to get a solid partner and, according to reports, have an equal share of the deal with Orix. Stay tuned for more on Osaka and MGM.

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 extends SJM, MGM casinos to June 2022

Macau has extended the casino concessions for SJM Holdings and MGM China to June 2022, aligning them with the expiration dates for Macau’s other four casino operators. What will happen in 2022 remains as unclear as ever.

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.

Japan regional casino action heats up

Nagasaki declared last week that it will seek an integrated resort license to build a property that includes a casino, and US tribal operator Mohegan opened an office in Hokkaido, another mooted IR site beyond Japan’s largest cities. However, according to some observers, Wakayama, just over an hour from Osaka, could be Japan’s leading regional contender due to its proximity to the country’s second largest population hub, government enthusiasm and a site that’s ready for development.

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.

Big trends loom behind Macau casino figures

After falling in January, Macau casino revenue rose in February but was down for the larger Chinese New Year period. Behind those headlines, there two big trends lurk.

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.