Strict Singapore casino rules limit revenue

Casino legalization garnered unprecedented grassroots opposition in Singapore. The Singapore government’s strict casino oversight is a political response to that opposition, and its reduces gaming revenue by billions.

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.

Japan casino prospects fade despite good cards

Reasons for Japan to legalize casinos keeping growing along with the country’s burgeoning debt and quarter century long economic malaise. Yet Japan casino legalization seems less likely than a year ago, international observers say. Supporters in Japan remain optimistic, and a study of potential casino impacts has been commissioned – maybe.

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.

Singapore broke molds with casino legalization

Five Chinese New Years ago, Singapore’s first casino opened its doors. The city’s two so-called integrated resorts became Asia’s most admired because Singapore dared to do things right.

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.

Macau casino revenue falls again, analysts differ on recovery

Casino revenue in Macau declined for an eighth straight month in January. But analysts, who remain bullish on Macau for the long term, disagree on whether it’s time to buy shares.

I’ve had a busy few weeks writing about Macau on Foirbes.com. It was a dismal December for Macau, a record monthly drop capping the first down revenue year since liberalization. As revenue fell, tumbling casino share prices hit Hong Kong’s richest hard. The drivers of high roller revenue, junket promoters are pulling back in Macau to look for greener pastures in Asia and beyond. In the midst of Macau’s dark times, Las Vegas Sands founder, chairman, chief executive and resident visionary Sheldon Adelson becomes Sands China’s CEO, replacing highly respected Edward Tracy, who will retire in March.

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.

Asia casino outlook for 2015: Macau comes back, Japan moves ahead

After disappointing the casino business in 2014, Macau and Japan will bounce in 2015.

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.

Japan vote could boost casino hopes

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to legalize casinos for Japan as part of his economic revival plan known as Abenomics. In Sunday’s vote, his Liberal Democratic Party’s expected landslide victory could give new momentum to casino legalization, but only if Abe and his allies begin convincing the Japanese public that casinos are a good idea.

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 transit visa scare overblown: analysts

Union Gaming Research Macau analysts crossed over the border into mainland China for a reality check on the much discussed crackdown on transit visas to Macau that’s hit casino share prices over the past week. Analysts Grant Govertsen and Felicity Chiang found that it’s business as usual for the transit visa cottage industry in neighboring Zhuhai.

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.

Despite casino slump, Macau shopping not dropping

Las Vegas Sands subsidiary Sands China’s big bet on Macau retailing keeps paying off, even as casino revenue slumps. Rival gaming operators hope to catch up when the new wave of resorts begins opening next year, but they’ve got a long way to go.

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.