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One Of Hong Kong’s Richest Women, Cui Li Jie Is Losing Her Bet On Saipan Casino

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One Of Hong Kong’s Richest Women, Cui Lijie Is Losing Her Bet On Saipan Casino
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Cui Li Jie and Imperial Pacific International should have celebrated a banner 2017. The company finally swapped its temporary casino in a shopping mall for permanent digs in a beachfront tower in the heart of Saipan’s central tourist district. Chinese high rollers, Imperial Pacific’s bread and butter, have come roaring back across the region after a two year retreat, and some of their favorites destinations beyond Macau, such as South Korea and Australia’s Crown Resorts were largely off limits for political reasons. Yet, since the start of 2017, Imperial Pacific’s shares have declined 33%, and Cui, once a so-called barefoot doctor in mainland China who owns 63% of the company, fell off Forbes Asia’s list of Hong Kong’s 50 Richest , although she’s still a billionaire.

Despite opening the new building, Imperial Pacific faces several big challenges. After more than two years of casino operations, it still hasn’t proven that VIP gambling can make money in Saipan, a U.S. Pacific territory in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands, close to Guam and about five hours from any major population center. Imperial Pacific also still hasn’t secured funding to finish its $600 million beachfront hotel.

Mark Brown, who rose from dealer to president of Trump Casinos then opened Venetian Macao for Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands, got permission from local authorities for the temporary casino. Brown turned heads by releasing monthly VIP roll tallies showing Saipan’s little casino in the mall was taking more high roller bets than Venetian Macao . Those numbers attracted top investment banks to Saipan to kick the tires, and Brown nearly closed financing for the hotel. Lenders balked at the last minute, and Brown – first of IPI’s three CEOs during 2017 – got bounced upstairs to an amorphous chairman title then left IPI altogether in January.

Cui, who held no formal position with IPI beyond majority shareholder, was appointed to the board of directors in May. Cui’s son, former Macau junket executive Ji Xiaobo, his annual $1 million plus bonuses contract as project director extended through 2020, is acknowledged mastermind of the venture that, according to its most recent financial report, holds $100 million more in outstanding player debt than it booked in revenue.

To continue construction of the hotel, Cui lent IPI $150 million last year. Designed by leading casino architect Paul Steelman, Imperial Palace was originally planned to have 340 guest rooms including beachfront villas, more than 20 food and beverage outlets, 200 gaming tables and 350 slot machines in Garapan, the tourism heart of Saipan.

The hotel’s casino area opened nearly six months behind schedule in July and currently has 76 gaming tables and 235 slot machines on its mass gaming floor, plus two VIP rooms. IPI no longer releases monthly roll figures. The company has also opened a Chinese restaurant and two bars, but no guest rooms so far.

CNMI officials have extended IPI’s deadline for completing the hotel to August, and company officials said recently they expect to have 250 rooms finished by then. Imperial Palace is just phase one of IPI’s bold $7.3 billion master plan to create a mini version of the Las Vegas Strip on the island.

Cui Lijie apparently still believes. During January, she bought an additional 119 million IPI shares.

 

Source: forbes.com

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Red Bull, Nissin Cup Noodles, and Kreo Join College Rivals Season 2 as Associate Sponsors

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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.

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FeedConstruct Secures Exclusive International Streaming and Data Collection Rights for Korean Volleyball Leagues

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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.”

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NewCasinoRank Unveils Specifics of Thai New Online Casino Market

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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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