Japan keeps creeping toward casinos

Every phase of Japan’s casino legalization faces new delays without resolving lingering issues that could threaten the success of the initiative.

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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Sole Korea casino for Koreans struggles to balance profits, policy imperatives

South Korea’s only casino that admits players without foreign passports, Kangwon Land faced penalties for having too much gaming revenue. But last year, it reduced revenue too sharply and profits plummeted. Now it’s trying to find the right balance.

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.

Mass market powers Macau casinos

China’s headline economic issues are deterring high end players, but mass market gaming drives Macau casino revenue. It’s a healthy trend that’s likely to continue as authorities push for Macau to become more of a tourism destination and less of a gambling hub.

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 gets what it wants from casinos

Singapore got an image makeover and economic boost by mandating key attractions to surround casinos, a plan Japan and Macau hope to emulate in their upcoming casino licensing exercises.

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 clashes Australia-listed Donaco with top shareholders, co-founder

Genting founder Lim Goh Tong started Donaco with grandson Joey Lim for boutique casino opportunities in Asia. Uniquely, Donaco’s Star Vegas casino on the Thai border in Cambodia has prompted clashes with its top shareholders and led to Joey Lim’s ouster in a saga still playing out.

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 sets Japan casino pace

The largest city in Japan that’s declared it’s seeking an integrated resort with a casino, Osaka wants to open the multi-billion dollar entertainment complex before World Expo 2025 debuts, a squeeze that gets tighter by the day.

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 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.

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.