Asia
NagaCorps revenue hikes considerably in 2017 as its new casino complex woos more punters
In the preceding year NagaCorp, the largest hotel, gaming and leisure operator in Cambodia listed in the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, since 2006 saw its revenue hike considerably as the new phase of its casino-hotel complex based in the city of Phnom Penh wooed a significant number of VIP gamblers and Chinese tourists to its advantage.
Revenue at the company leapt 79.9% to $956.3 million last year, invigorated by a 142% revenue growth in VIP betting volumes. The Net profit soared 39% to $255.2 million.
As per the Company official’s perspective, NagaCorp is advancing as planned with the construction of a new casino hotel outside Vladivostok, Russia irrespective of the steep increase in gaming taxes there lately that could impact its investment returns.
Philip Lee, the Group’s Chief Financial Officer, said the Russian resort will start off its operation next year as per the schedule. In accordance with the statement of the company revealed in 2013, it had planned to invest at least $350 million in the project.
NagaCorp’s plans are contrary to those of Macau gaming tycoon, Lawrence Ho Yau-lung’s. Through two of his listed companies, the casino investor in December sold his entire stake worth $21.3 million in the developer of Tigre De Cristal — the only casino hotel now in operation in Vladivostok. His move came shortly after Russian parliament approved a bill that potentially doubles gaming taxes in its eastern Primorsky gaming zone.
“An office has been established in the city centre of Vladivostok, Russia,” the company said in its latest financial statement. “Certain key personnel have been appointed to monitor various aspects of the progress of the project which remains broadly on schedule for operation by 2019.”
Group management said it will “proactively” bring more Chinese tourists to its resorts and continue to explore the possibility of operating casinos in Japan.
“The opening of Naga2 in November last year significantly increases the quality and the range of VIP, mass gaming and the non-gaming offerings,” said Lee on Wednesday, referring to its second-phase casino complex in Cambodia, close to its first development called NagaWorld.
Naga2 features 903 hotel rooms and suites, some 300 gaming tables and 2,500 gambling machines. It also houses a 2,200-seat theatre.
The group’s VIP segment has seen much stronger growth than the mass market since Naga2’s opening. Revenue from VIP tables soared to $625.3 million last year from $225.7 million a year earlier while takings from public tables grew just 15.4% to $149.7 million.
NagaCorp, which contributed roughly 3% of Cambodia’s total gross domestic product in 2017, also counts on Chinese tourists for its growth. A total of 1.2 million Chinese visitors travelled to Cambodia last year, marking a 46% increase from 2016, according to the country’s tourism board. China surpassed Vietnam last year to become the largest source of tourists in Cambodia.
Chairman Timothy McNally, said: “We are optimistic those numbers of Chinese visitors would continue to increase.” To capture the Chinese outbound tourism boom, he said the group is considering expanding its current aircraft fleet to carry travellers from places without direct flights to Cambodia. “We’ll continue to be proactive and bring in more people from various mainland cities,” McNally said. It currently owns two Airbus aircraft and leases one.
He also reiterated that the group has a “keen interest” to operate casinos in Japan.
“As a gaming jurisdiction, Japan has wonderful potential,” McNally said, adding that management had visited various Japanese cities for discussions with local authorities. “Now we are just waiting for some additional information.”
At one point in Wednesday trade, the Hong Kong-listed shares of NagaCorp rose almost 10% to 7.17 Hong Kong dollars, its highest since 2014. But, it narrowed gains to closed 5.5% higher at HK$6.89 by the end of the day, while the benchmark Hang Seng index declined by 0.9% to close at 30,323.20.
Source: nikkei.com
Asia
Red Bull, Nissin Cup Noodles, and Kreo Join College Rivals Season 2 as Associate Sponsors
India’s premier college esports and gaming talent hunt, College Rivals, has secured three major Associate Sponsors for its highly anticipated Season 2. Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo have all come on board to support the Ampverse DMI-conducted event, each contributing their distinct energy and enthusiasm, as the official Energy Partner, Snacking Partner, and Kreative Partner, respectively.
College Rivals Season 2, featuring participation from over 2,00,000 students across various competitions, offers a prize pool of INR 50,00,000 and a prestigious professional gaming contract. Having kicked off in July 2024, the championship will continue in the following months before culminating with a Grand Finale scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
“We’re thrilled to welcome top brands like Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo to College Rivals Season 2, which has grown exponentially this time around and is bigger and better than ever. These incredible partners will further enhance the student experience with immersive gaming, exciting activities, and creative engagements, adding new energy and thrill as we continue to inspire college-going students to engage with esports and gaming opportunities,” said Ashwin Haryani, Country Head, Ampverse DMI.
Red Bull, returning to College Rivals after a successful first season, brings extra excitement with their racing simulators and product samples in interactive zones, giving students a taste of the fast-paced energy of Esports. Nissin Cup Noodles, the event’s Snacking Partner, is bringing a flavorful twist to the action. With wet product sampling of their instant noodles, Nissin Cup Noodles seamlessly blends snack breaks with gaming.
Meanwhile, with their branded gaming peripherals, Kreative Partner Kreo is hosting interactive activities such as typing tests and giveaways, inviting students to engage with top-tier gaming gear at the country’s biggest collegiate gaming event.
“We’re absolutely fired up to be part of College Rivals Season 2! The energy is electric, with thousands of students from all over the country bringing their A-game. The fast-paced action, intense competition, and pure thrill of gaming make this event a perfect match for Nissin Cup Noodles which is the go-to snacking option for gamers” said Varun Oberoi – Vice President, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Indo Nissin Foods.
Having expanded to 20+ cities and 58+ colleges, College Rivals Season 2 is engaging 11,00,000 students across India, providing the ideal stage to connect with brands that resonate with them. Nissin Cup Noodles satisfies with its instant snacks, Red Bull keeps the energy high with its action-packed drinks, and Kreo connects creative minds with top-tier gaming gear.
Asia
FeedConstruct Secures Exclusive International Streaming and Data Collection Rights for Korean Volleyball Leagues
FeedConstruct is excited to enhance its offerings with the addition of another significant Korean sports content. Based on the new partnership, the company has secured exclusive international streaming and data rights for all matches of Korea’s Volleyball Leagues and Cup competitions.
Korea’s V-League is one of the most prestigious and competitive volleyball leagues worldwide, particularly in Asia, renowned for its high-level matches and featuring top-tier local and international talents. FeedConstruct will cover all the matches from both the men’s and women’s competitions, ensuring comprehensive access to this elite league and delivering premium content.
The KOVO Cup, a highly anticipated annual event, serves as a lead-up to the V-League season, offering teams a platform to experiment with new rosters and strategies. Since 2018, the KOVO Cup has invited international teams, such as Thailand’s Supreme Chonburi, raising the tournament’s prestige and drawing significant attention from volleyball fans across the country.
Volleyball has been a prominent sport in Korea for decades, with the national teams consistently competing at high levels in major international tournaments like the Olympics and World Championships.
Reflecting on the new partnership, Narek Harutyunyan, CEO at FeedConstruct, stated: “We are thrilled to secure the exclusive international streaming and data rights for all matches of Korea’s Volleyball Leagues and Cup competitions. Korean volleyball has a rich history and a passionate fan base, and we are committed to providing comprehensive coverage of these elite competitions. This collaboration not only strengthens our global volleyball portfolio but also underscores our dedication to delivering premium sports content.”
KBSN Director Lee Ju Young, added: ‘’We are honored to collaborate with FeedConstruct on this project. We hope that Korean professional volleyball will receive more global attention. We believe that partnerships are significant because they carry weight.’’
KOVO’s Director Lee Young-ho said: “I am pleased that this partnership will enhance the global capabilities of Korean professional volleyball. It seems like a great opportunity to connect with many fans overseas through FeedConstruct. I hope this will be a good opportunity for Korean professional volleyball to grow to the next level.”
Asia
NewCasinoRank Unveils Specifics of Thai New Online Casino Market
NewCasinoRank, a leading website specialising in reviewing new online casinos and covering various aspects of iGaming, has provided an in-depth analysis of the emerging online casino scene in Thailand. As Thailand remains one of the most frequented locations accessing NewCasinoRank, the team is dedicated to delivering precise and relevant information that aligns with the country’s strict gambling regulations.
Gambling in Thailand is heavily regulated under the Gambling Act of 1935, which prohibits most forms of gambling except for the government-run lottery and horse racing. Despite these restrictions, the popularity of online casinos continues to grow, driven by increasing internet accessibility. According to Statista, the online gambling market in Thailand is projected to grow by 5.56% (2024-2028), resulting in a market volume of €628.90m in 2028.
Thai players frequently visit NewCasinoRank to find reliable information on accessible new online casinos that comply with local laws. To meet this demand, NewCasinoRank’s team meticulously curates content that adheres to Thailand’s legal framework, ensuring players have access to safe and trustworthy gaming options.
Chloe O’Sullivan, CasinoRank’s Writer, emphasizes the platform’s commitment: “We highly value our Thai audience and strive to provide up-to-date information on our dedicated Thailand page. This comprehensive resource includes special features of new casino sites in Thailand, the most popular casino game developers in the country, an overview of the average bonus values based on market trends and local currency, and much more.”
Samuel Adeoye, CasinoRank’s Researcher, said: “Speaking of new casinos, sometimes it’s hard to get the most accurate information because the subject is new. Still, we manage to do that by collecting data from reputable open sources and collaborating with trusted casinos that partner with NewCasinoRank. This ensures that our content is both accurate and relevant, providing Thai players with the information they need to make informed decisions.”
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