Good morning, 




Our latest Face To Face interview was released this morning, featuring Peter Johns, chief commercial officer of IDX Games and a long-time Asia gaming executive, in discussion with Asia Gaming Brief Managing Editor Sharon Singleton. They address how new technologies are shaping the future of gaming and how more convergence with the online world is needed. In our current affairs section, we drill down on Russian central bank actions to halt online gambling, and we also take a look at analyst optimism on the future of Summit Ascent.

First, the news

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• Summit Ascent GGR to rise 190% for two years: BoA
• Sands confirms Londoner to open February 8
• Macau returnee tests positive for Covid infection
• Legislator accuses Macau regulators of colluding with operators on employment abuses
• All six Macau operators offering staff bonuses
• SJM enters purchase agreements on senior notes
• Macau registers fewer gambling addicts in 2020
• Russian central bank cracks down on online casinos
• Yokohama launches RFP process
• IPI found in contempt of court and ordered to stop all construction work
• Jeju Dream Tower casino licensing process to begin this month
• China says 75,000 suspects arrested in 2020 gambling crackdown
• Resorts World Genting to close until February 4 on Covid
• Biden may be positive for Genting tribal investment: Maybank
• Thai business leaders debating advisability of casino legalization
• Wynn expands digital offering to services in Michigan

What you need to know

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Summit Ascent GGR to rise 190% for two years: BoA

Bank of America/Merrill Lynch has added its voice to other recent commentary pointing to significant upside for Summit Ascent due to optimism over its projects in Russia and the Philippines. It says there are three main reasons for its investment rationale. It sees the addition of new capacity in the coming few years as being a significant driver for revenue growth. It also points to parent company Suncity Holding’s VIP database and says the firm will be a beneficiary of China’s belt and road initiatives and trade tensions.

​Russian central bank cracks down on online casinos

Online casinos and illegal bookmakers are feeling the squeeze after the Russian central bank has made it very difficult for punters to get paid. Indeed, many operations have seen their activities in Russia paralyzed since mid-January after gamblers have largely lost the ability to place bets in any currencies other than Bitcoin. Russian business publication The Bell reports that this is the culmination of actions taken by Russia’s central bank targeting payment systems to illegal online casinos and bookies.

Insights

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FACE TO FACE

Interview with Peter Johns: Edging towards convergence

Peter Johns, chief commercial officer of IDX Games and a long-time Asia gaming executive, talks with Asia Gaming Brief Managing Editor Sharon Singleton about how new technologies are shaping the future of gaming and how more convergence with the online world is needed.

Supplier Special

Aruze launches Wheels of Prosperity

Aruze Gaming has announced the launch of the 5 reel, 243-way games, Wheel of Prosperity Dragon and Wheel of Prosperity Phoenix  in the Asian market. In both titles, three Wild symbols trigger a wheel spin during the base game. The wheel will award either Free Games or up to 18x for the triggering spin.

AGB Initiatives

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