Macau’s most ambitious theatrical venture, the US$250m Franco Dragone-directed House of Dancing Water, will open on September 16, Lawrence Ho announced yesterday at the first-birthday celebrations for City of Dreams.

Analysis: COD needs to get the rest of the property open. Its marketing team does a great job, as does Greg Hawkins’ management team: there is noticeably more joie de vivre in the place now compared to when it opened. But it still has plenty of dead spaces and needs more attractions for the mass market. Dragone should help, though we don’t think it will be a runaway success simply because we don’t think the business model works in Macau. A Hard Rock cafe should help, even though they haven’t been a huge success elsewhere in China, including Hong Kong. A Club Cubic should help, even though we can’t see how they will fill a 20,000-sq-m venue every night. It all adds up, however, and getting more people through the place while giving them more to spend on has to ultimately help this property.

Used with permission & copyright to IntelMacau.com

One of the lesser-noticed visa restrictions put in place by the Zhuhai Customs and Immigration Authority almost two years ago, amid all the noise about the IVS curbs, was an important one for the junket operators. Previously, they had been making abundant use of a special kind of exit permit from the mainland that allowed Chinese passport-holders to use Macau as a transit point to a third country. All you had to do was show a ticket or, depending on the flexibility of the border officials, an itinerary that showed your final destination, and you would be able to stay in Macau for a maximum of seven days. It carried a price, for this was a kind of “visa on arrival” permit. The crackdown that began in earnest around the middle of 2008, when Beijing sent a very clear message to Macau that it wanted gaming revenue growth cooled, cut this permit off in addition to the squeeze that was placed on the IVS permits, whereby applicants could only apply once every three months.

Well, it’s back.

Our sources on the mainland tell us that the special exit permit – call it a transit permit – was reinstated without any announcement recently. Now, anyone with RMB200 in their pocket and an itinerary that shows the intention to go on to a third destination via Macau can get the permit at the Gongbei border.

This is obviously good for the junkets, who are masters of the people-moving business. High-rollers and medium-rollers alike can be brought from anywhere in China on a whim and whisked through Gongbei again with the greatest of ease. It also helps them to bring in any number of mainland xiaojie who can be deployed on the mass gaming floors of the concessionaires to recruit high-limit players in need of credit.

Not that the junkets need any help right now. According to Gary Pinge at Macquarie, the market is sizzling. His sources say that the third week of the month was just as hot as the first two weeks, and MOP17bn is well within reach – nearly double last year’s number. Walking the floors this week, we can attest to strong numbers on mass. But we have a hunch that there will be some interesting shifts in market-share numbers when they come out next week. Stay tuned.

Article used with permission and copyright to IntelMacau.com

We have been treated to a fabulous time at Encore, Wynn’s new all-suite hotel, these past two days, and so must admit to feeling a little biased towards the place right now. Yet we understand that we are not alone: channel checks suggest that Wynn Macau is on track to have a blowout month and will likely gain market share once the May numbers are released.

It is easy to see why. Wynn has raised the bar again with this property, and it’s a knockout beauty, easily the top of the market for decor, amenities and service. The Golden Flower is a clear choice as Macau’s top Chinese restaurant – as evidenced by the fact that Paul Tse was dining there on Wednesday night and the place was full of people paying easily around MOP2,000 per head. The spa leaves all others inhabiting lower levels of the atmosphere. The suites are luxurious yet not stuffy, and clearly aimed towards the tastes of elite Asian visitors.

More importantly, however, Steve Wynn has chosen to focus Encore’s charms on his own direct-VIP players. The premium mass area is small enough to be cozy for people who like playing just HK$50,000 a hand in cash chips. On Wednesday night it was full of such players. The Wynn Club is the only other gaming facility on the ground floor area of the Encore corner of the property. (There are two VIP salons near the Golden Flower restaurant, but they have been open since last December.) While some junkets are asking to bring players upstairs to the mansions and the top-floor “Sky Casino”, we understand that the management team is (bravely) favoring players who would prefer to play with the house. And there is a 250-strong team of people on hand, most of whom wear skirts, to cater to them.

As we have pointed out before, this business is where the future lies for Macau’s concessionaires as China’s wealthy class are increasingly able to move more of their assets offshore. Margins after rebates are nearly double what they are through the junkets, and win-hold percentages are usually higher as the casino management often makes tougher credit decisions and finds other ways to ensure the loyalty of their customers than the junkets do. Where Wynn Macau beats all other by a mile is its International Marketing team’s ability to source direct-VIP players, particularly in China. This is not a concessionaire that simply hopes whales will turn up on its property; Linda Chan’s platoons go out and aggressively find them.

And that’s just on the table games. We note with appreciation the presence of VIP slot machines in the Sky Casino. It says something about Wynn’s strength in this segment that they have their own rooms that include a dining area and three specially designed chairs for slot whales.

Concerns about concessionaires getting into riskier credit decision-making scenarios are not unfounded in the direct-VIP business, to be sure. But when the market is this hot, this is the segment of it where they want to be. And Encore is the best of the best on offer to these players right now.

Article used with permission and copyright to Intel Macau.com . Photo used with permission and copyright to Wynn Macau

CASINO GRAND LISBOA, MACAU, May 23, 2010 :: PokerStars qualifier

Victorino Torres just gave a whole new meaning to the phrase, “V for Victory.” The 33-year-old attorney from the Northern Mariana Islands won the 4th annual PokerStars.net APPT Macau Main Event, turning a victory in a $22 rebuy satellite on PokerStars into more than **$3.2 million HKD** (approx. $416,000 USD).

Torres entered the final table as its second-shortest chip stack and quietly worked his way up the leaderboard as other players hit the rail. Torres stole the chip lead from runner-up Chong Wing Cheong once play became four-handed and from there, he never looked back.

“My whole experience here in Macau has been exceptional to say the least,” Torres said. “PokerStars ran this tournament beyond belief. To every player, if you have the opportunity, come out here and play.”

A trial lawyer by trade, a jubilant Torres said he expects to spend a little more time enjoying one of his other hobbies – farming – upon returning home: “I think I’ll spend a little more time on the farm now that I won. I love farming. I find it soothing, it’s relaxing, and it’s beneficial. I love it.”

Cheong’s runner-up finish is notable, as it makes him the **highest-placing Chinese player in the event’s four-year history**. Cheong earned HKD $2,088,000 (approx. $267,600 USD) in prize money for his efforts.

Photo used with permission of PokerStars.net

Click here to view tournament photos.

“…China is China, and in relationships with the people of that country, in relationships with your employees, you must not forget that it is not Las Vegas, it is not America. And so dropping Las Vegas Strip into Macau was always an idea that did not respect the basic fundamental notion of Macau.” – Mr. Steve Wynn

From a thorough examination of business opportunities in Asia’s gaming jurisdictions to hands-on professional development workshops, the conference at Global Gaming Expo Asia (G2E Asia) 2010 will equip attendees with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive business environment. G2E Asia 2010 will be held June 8-10 at the Cotai Strip® CotaiExpoTM at the Venetian Macao.

“As the global economy starts its recovery and new business opportunities appear on the horizon, now is the time for gaming industry professionals to cultivate a strong understanding of the forces at work within Asian gaming markets and develop the skills needed to capitalize on those opportunities,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “At the conference at G2E Asia 2010, gaming professionals have unique access to the industry experts and professional development opportunities that can help them succeed.”

The conference at G2E Asia 2010 will begin on June 8 with the Global Markets Forum, a full-day program designed to provide a comprehensive look at the issues and opportunities in current and emerging markets throughout the pan-Asian region. Sessions will include “Singapore: Up and Running,” “Japan, Taiwan & Korea: The Promised Land?,” “Vietnam, Thailand & India: The Emerging Jurisdictions” and “The Philippines, Cambodia & Malaysia: The Established Jurisdictions.” Conference attendees will be joined by attendees of the G2E Asia Gaming Management Certificate Program, also being held June 8, for a keynote luncheon at which Mr. Francis Lui, deputy chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, will be the featured speaker.

On June 9, conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a gaming industry legend during the keynote session when Mr. Len Ainsworth, executive chairman of Ainsworth Game Technology, receives the 2010 G2E Asia Visionary Award for his significant contributions to the industry in the realm of gaming technology. After the keynote, attendees can take advantage of G2E Asia’s world-class conference programming, which this year will include sessions on Macau, the gaming floor and marketing.

During the final day of the conference at G2E Asia 2010 – June 10 – attendees will hear directly from Asia’s gaming leaders in “View From the Top: Chief Officer Series.” These sessions, developed in partnership with Deutsche Bank, will feature leading chief executive, financial and operations officers sharing their insights about the future of their own organizations as well as of the jurisdictions in which they operate. They will tackle questions regarding the effect of Singapore’s newly opened integrated casino resorts on the region’s other markets, whether recent media coverage has affected the execution and success of VIP programs, how companies are attracting the mainland Chinese audience and much more.

For more information about G2E Asia, and to register for early bird discounts to the conference, visit www.G2EAsia.com.

According to Bloomberg reports, Wynn Resorts is planning the construction of a third resort in Macau’s Cotai Strip by the end of next year. The tentative scheduled opening for the new premise to be in 2014. Wynn Macau Ltd. has applied to the Macau government to lease 52 acres on the Cotai Strip.

“In order for Macau to stop growing, the culture of Chinese people will have to change. I never see that happening.” – Las Vegas Sands Chairman, Sheldon Adelson

Curbs on mainlanders visiting Macau remain tight as Beijing continues to crack down on money laundering and gambling by officials misusing public funds.

They find it easier to get to sunny Singapore than to Macau.

Marina Bay sands is the world’s second most expensive casino resort with construction cost of US$5.5 billion. It opens on 27th April at 3.18pm for business.

Mainland gamblers said approval for their visits to Singapore had come quickly and smoothly. (eg: 1 week from application)

Source: SCMP.com

Movie released October 2009 and is shot extensively in Macau and especially Galaxy Starworld. Randy (Louis Koo) is the heir to a major casino business, but has never been interested to inherit the gaming empire after his father’s death. While Uno (Lau Ching Wan) has been helping to run the business, he has every intention for Randy to take over the business empire. Randy is obsessed with online gaming of Texas Hold ‘Em Poker and Uno takes the opportunity to put Randy in a real tournament. Randy is put through some hardship before he learns the art of the game. Along the way, Randy falls in love with Smiley (Cherrie Ying), a girl who has a winning streak at the casino. Meanwhile, Uno starts a relationship with rival casino owner Ms Fong (Josie Ho). At the end of the championship match, the two top players – Randy and Uno face off against each other. As the last hand of cards is dealt to the two players, who is going to be the Poker King?