Posts Tagged ‘Singapore casinos’

Southeast Asia drives regional gaming growth

December 6, 2023

A visit to Malaysia’s Resorts World Genting, Asia’s first integrated resort, after early trips to Singapore and the Philippines, adds to evidence that Southeast Asia is the new engine of regional gaming growth. The ASEAN group combines new resorts, an increasingly wealth population and attractive resorts, with more on the way. Watch this space for more coverage of this intriguing destination.

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is Asia editor at large for iGaming Business, a longtime contributor to Forbes, columnist for Asia Times and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about TV news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his biography, archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook, Twitter @MuhammadCohen and LinkedIn.

Don’t bet on casinos benefiting New York City

June 6, 2023

Proposed New York City casino sites include Times Square in a renovated office building.

I visited Singapore last week for the G2E Asia gaming conference and trade show, held at Marina Bay Sands. MBS remains the most impressive and profitable casino resort on earth, symbol of a Singapore that’s grown past chewing gum bans. Crosstown rival Resorts World Sentosa draws domestic and international visitors with Universal Studios and other attractions.

Casino licenses on offer for New York City and vicinity should inspire similarly sensational integrated resorts. But the licenses will likely produce no-frills cash boxes, bringing the city more of what it doesn’t need. Without a major policy rethink, the city will be better off without them.

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is Asia editor at large for iGaming Business, a longtime contributor to Forbes, columnist for Asia Times and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about TV news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook, Twitter @MuhammadCohen and LinkedIn.

Marina Bay Sands drives LVS performance

November 8, 2022

The world’s most admired casino resort, seen from Gardens by the Bay. (Credit: Marina Bay Sands)

As Macau continues to struggle under the zero-Covid regime, Singapore icon Marina Bay Sands keeps driving Las Vegas Sands’ financial performance. In an exclusive interview, MBS chief operating officer Paul Town explains how the common interests and shared purpose of the resort and its Singapore host community key the integrated resort’s lasting success.

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is Asia editor at large for ICE365, a longtime contributor to Forbes, columnist for Asia Times and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about TV news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook, Twitter @MuhammadCohen and LinkedIn.

Las Vegas Sands, Genting avert Strip rematch

July 14, 2021

Genting Group opened Resorts World Las Vegas on the Strip in June amid a strong rebound in Sin City. (Photo courtesy of Paul Steelman.)

Las Vegas Sands and Genting looked set to extend their Singapore competition to the Vegas Strip. But three months ahead of Genting opening US$4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas in June, LVS announced a deal selling its Las Vegas resorts and convention center to focus on Asia .

This pair of casino giants, whose Singapore properties Marina Bay Sands and Resorts Wold Sentosa rank among the most lucrative integrated resorts on earth, could square off elsewhere. Asia is an obvious pick, though given the paucity of new opportunities in the region, it’s just as likely LVS and Genting could open a new chapter of their rivalry in New York or Texas.

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a columnist for ICE 365, a contributor to Forbes and Inside Asian Gaming, 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.

In March, Las Vegas Sands announced sale of its flagship Venetian complex to focus on Asia. (Company provided photo)

Nearly perfect 10 in Singapore

February 4, 2020

In their first decade, Singapore’s casino resorts have largely delivered what the government hoped for. Expansion of both resorts is coming on the government’s terms.

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/correpsondent 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.

Singapore gets what it wants from casinos

June 12, 2019

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.

Singapore casino growth carries steep price

April 22, 2019

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.

Sheldon Adelson tops Asian Gaming Power 50

November 27, 2018

Las Vegas Sands founder Sheldon Adelson tops the Asian Gaming Power 50 for 2018 with two of his lieutenants also ranking in the top 10. Adelson and company have the top gaming assets in Asia, and at age 85, hobbled by muscular disease and a major political player in the US and Israel, Adelson still burns for more.

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.

Don’t slam Japan casino decisions unmade

September 16, 2017

As Japan considers casino legalization, Sheldon Adelson warns regulators could prevent “the best kind” of casino resort. Foreigners criticizing details of legislation not yet crafted could mean no casinos at all in Japan or no role in them for difficult gaijin.

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.

Sheldon Adelson heads Asian Gaming Power 50

October 4, 2016

The man who brought Vegas to Macau, Las Vegas Sands founder Sheldon Adelson ranks first in the Asian Gaming Power 50 for the eighth time in nine years. (Fully disclosure: As editor at large of Inside Asian Gaming, I helped compile the 2016 list.)

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.