NOV DEC 2023

Editor's Letter

To diversify or not to diversify? That has been the question in Macau for some time. Given the attention paid to it by the Chinese Government, it’s become a prominent topic within Asian gaming and one the cover feature of this very magazine therefore tackles.

Before you hear from our experts and contributing guests, however, as Gambling Insider Editor I’d like to give my two cents - or Macanese Patacas if you will. And my money is going straight to the table games of Macau.

Diversification is a common-sense approach. If one sector, region or even company is too lopsided in terms of revenue streams, a lack of viable alternatives leaves it exposed to a scenario where its main revenue driver suddenly falters.

Macau, though, is different in my eyes. The need for diversification away from casino gaming was mainly borne out of Covid-19 closures. But here’s the kicker: Covid-19 would have closed all other entertainment options too - not just casinos.

If anything, Macau should double up on its specialism as the world’s premier gambling hub and legalise online casino...

Back to diversification, though, my theory is that the Chinese Government will eventually have to accept that the main attraction for tourists in Macau is its casinos - millions in lost investment down the line. Instead, I believe it should embrace its reality as a gambling destination and one that simply cannot compete with other locations for non-gaming options.

Las Vegas has now well and truly solidified itself as the entertainment capital of the world. How can Macau compete when the biggest musical acts perform daily in Vegas and there are so many restaurants in Vegas it would take more than a year to get through them all?

Yes, Macau is famous for its own food. And gaming consultant Marcus Lim previously told me on the GI Huddle that’s where he would start when selling the appeal of Macau to non-casino-goers.

Even then, though, there is Singapore nearby, there is Australia not too far away for the Asian tourist happy to fly and the likes of Dubai are upgrading their offerings all the time. The one thing none of these destinations can compete with Macau on, quality wise, is gambling.

So I say Macau should capitalise on precisely that. Greater diversification efforts are not guaranteed to yield results. Accepting Macau’s position as the world’s gambling hub, however, might just be the way to go.

In the Magazine

What do the Global Gaming Awards mean to you?

Gambling Insider reflects on a hugely successful 10th Global Gaming Awards in Las Vegas, previewing what’s to come for the Global Gaming Awards in London in February 2024 – and beyond in Asia-Pacific

Macau's balancing act: Can Macau become the new Vegas?

Gambling Insider explores whether or not Macau can become a destination akin to Nevada’s Las Vegas, as the push for economic diversification ramps up in the Chinese region and gambling hub

Big Question: What is the most promising LatAm market?

Andy Phillips, CCO at Sporting Risk, Camilo Millon, Sales Director at Kambi and Hugo Llanos, Americas Regional Director at Altenar, discuss the potential of the LatAm market

Taking Stock: Operators across Macau and Asia

Gambling Insider has tracked the value of operators in Macau and areas across Asia. Stock prices have been tracked across a six-month period (May 2023 – October 2023) and are tracked from the close of the first available date of the month

Facing Facts: Macau Operators' Revenue and adjusted EBITDA

Gambling Insider compares statistics from Macau and its prominent operators from April to September 2023, looking into the findings of Q2 reports and what this means for the industry. We also look at Galaxy Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands' Macau resorts exclusively and in detail during this same period. All values are in USD, based on the latest exchange rates

Roundtable: What is the latest in the world of live casino?

Industry experts answer Gambling Insider's burning questions on everything live casino, including TVBet, LuckyStreak, Evolution and Atmosfera

Breaking into the Interblock fortress

Gambling Insider was in attendance at G2E in Las Vegas and caught up with Interblock Global CEO, John Connelly, to discuss its Smart Pit product, the future of AI and the future of Interblock going into 2024

Clarion Gaming: More, more, more

Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of Clarion Gaming, tells Gambling Insider the last ICE to take place in London will deliver “more connections, inspiration and learning”

The Fontainebleau's 70-year impact

Regular Gambling Insider Contributor Oliver Lovat explores the iconic Miami resort’s influence on Las Vegas

Cybersecurity: There's honesty among thieves

Tony Anscombe, Chief Security Evangelist at cybersecurity company, Eset, speaks to Gambling Insider about the recent cyber attacks at MGM Resorts and Caesars, whether they were related, how casinos handle hackers and what companies should do to prevent infiltration from cyber criminals

The yielding of players: How much is too much?

Fresh off his Huddle interview with us at G2E Las Vegas, regular Gambling Insider contributor Paul Sculpher explores the ‘yielding’ of players. Will operators ever go too far? Have they already?

Don't gamble with cybersecurity

Daniela Guerreiro, Associate at law firm MdME and Gambling Insider contributor, assesses lessons learned from recent cyber attacks

The EU: The Absent Arbitrator

Gustaf Hoffstedt, regular Gambling Insider contributor and General Secretary of the Swedish Trade Association, discusses the EU’s absence from gambling regulation

BetMGM: Making an entrance

Gambling Insider Editor Tim Poole reflects on BetMGM’s UK launch, the initial surprise that came with it and what the ultimate goal is for a well-backed brand that cannot afford to rest on its laurels

How regulators quantify harm

Duncan Garvie explains to Gambling Insider how regulators quantify harm and why he thinks that, often, both regulators and the industry arrive at the wrong conclusion

UK lotteries: The black sheep of the family

Gambling Insider looks into the complicated history of the UK Government’s state lotteries and the struggles to regulate them, from 1694 to 2024

Pragmatic Play: Twist, transform and elevate

With the competitive world of live casino pushing traditional gaming experiences into new realms, Gambling Insider spoke to Irina Cornides, COO at Pragmatic Play, to discuss how the supplier’s strategy aims for the merging of technology and delivering innovative products

Relum: Quality over quantity

Emil Hakobian, Relum CEO, tells us all about the company’s iGaming ambitions heading into 2024

Radar: A geo-fenced future

With its launch into fraud detection and geo compliance solution in October, Gambling Insider had the chance to talk to Radar CEO and Co-Founder Nick Patrick, about motivations, the market and what this solution means for consumers

Bombay Live: Delivering luxury online

Gambling Insider spoke with Hub88 and Bombay Commercial Director, Mark Taffler, to discuss entering new markets, the responsibility of Hub88, providing luxury iCasino experiences and more

Final Word: Data.Bet CEO Yurii Berest

Gambling Insider speaks to Yurii Berest, CEO of Data.Bet, about the growth of esports betting and how the company helps operators maximise both revenue and efficiency by using Data.Bet’s services