Asia
Is Hainan about to Open the Door to Gambling Legalization in China?
In China’s southernmost province of Hainan, inside a glittering skyscraper shaped like a sail, Mr Zeng Xianyun has been waiting for Mr Xi Jinping, in more ways than one.
This week, the Chinese president will visit the island and hotel magnates like Mr Zeng hope the leader will come bearing gifts: new tax concessions to attract more tourists to this tropical destination nestled along the South China Sea near the Vietnam border.
Local entrepreneurs and global firms like MGM Resorts International have spent big on seaside developments here.
Many of these investors are making a wager of their own: Someday in the future, Hainan could be teeming with Chinese gamblers, who will give an adrenaline shot to a tourism-dependent economy that hasn’t fully lived up to expectations. Right now, gaming remains banned across mainland China and the island only attracts a fraction of the country’s tourism outlay.
Mr Xi will speak at the island’s Boao Forum and mark the 40th anniversary of China’s economic opening.
While Hainan’s elite aren’t expecting him to immediately announce any wholesale legalisation of gambling, they are hopeful the policies he unveils will help draw more tourists. And in doing so set off a policy roadmap that eventually ends with regulated casinos.
Any move to ramp up tourism in Hainan or open it up to gambling would reverberate within the global travel industry. Chinese jetsetters take about 130 million trips overseas each year, the government estimates, spending lavishly from Las Vegas to Bali and Paris.
Outside the mainland, in Macau, where casinos are permitted, the bulk of revenue still goes to foreign operators like Las Vegas Sands Corp. and MGM.
A more nationalist angle on the question of gambling and tourism is now finding its moment, dovetailing with Mr Xi’s emphasis on a resurgent China taking its place on the world stage.
The question, according to Mr Zeng, is not why the house always wins, but why that house should be foreign.
He hopes China can legalise the gaming industry and make Hainan the first mainland province with casinos to reduce the capital outflows.
“We need to take the issue seriously instead of avoiding it,” said Mr Zeng, who is chairman of Phoenix Island, an artificial archipelago off Hainan’s south-eastern shore that has a cruise ship terminal, luxury hotels and apartments. “We can’t let this big cake be eaten all by foreign capital.”
Mr Zeng’s development was built with a total investment of 20 billion yuan (S$4.16 billion), of which he put up 45 per cent and another 45 per cent came from the state-owned infrastructure firm China Communications Construction Co.
The property’s skyline is dominated by glinting hotels with steel facades, some of which house luxury condominiums with bathtubs on the balconies.
Mr Zeng said he could open a casino in under 30 days if given the permission.
The Boao Forum comes at a time when Washington and Beijing are engaged in trade war brinkmanship over tariffs. China has said the Hainan conference will demonstrate the country’s future prospects for economic growth.
Meanwhile, the drumbeat for casino development in Hainan has grown in recent months.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg citing people familiar with the matter reported that government agencies under a party reform group headed by Mr Xi are considering allowing online gaming and sports betting in Hainan, a policy shift that could open the door to physical casinos in the long run.
A balmy climate and sandy beaches are why Hainan, roughly the size of Switzerland, is often dubbed China’s Hawaii. Yet, it has been grappling with its dashed economic potential for almost a decade. It was eight years ago that Beijing designated the island China’s “test case” in developing an “internationally competitive tourist destination.”
At the time, the government said Hainan could explore lotteries related to international sporting events. The news drove speculation that the island could eventually open up to the gambling industry. Then came an investment flurry that pushed up property prices.
The bubble burst by 2012, when it became clear that specific policy concessions for Hainan weren’t imminent, whether legalised gaming or exemption from China’s heavy import duties. Property prices have tumbled from their peak.
Eight years on, new highways, high-speed railways and hotel chains are everywhere in Hainan, but its success as an international hotspot is muddled at best.
The island drew about 55 million tourists last year, only about 1 per cent of the 5 billion trips made domestically in China. Its visitor numbers are much lower than Asian destinations like Bali or Phuket.
“Hainan has extremely high hopes for President Xi’s visit and hope to receive some supportive policies,” said Mr Liu Feng, a researcher of Hainan Normal University Maritime Silk Road Research Institute. “Designating the island as a tax-free zone, or even just increasing the number of duty-free shopping locations, will inject vitality into Hainan’s tourism development.”
Mr Xi’s visit is timed for the province’s 30th anniversary.
Building it up would allow China to keep more of its tourists at home. This would hurt not just Macau but other countries like Vietnam and Australia that have sunk billions into attracting Chinese gamblers.
Yet, for now, some worry that Chinese regulations make it hard for tourism to flourish in Hainan.
Higher-end cultural offerings are stymied by a censorship regime suspicious of foreign film and art, as well as onerous duties on imports.
Property developer Zhang Baoquan, who’s spent more than 10 billion yuan building a complex combining hotels, convention space and a shopping mall in Hainan, dreams of hosting art fairs and film festivals if the province had some kind of a free-trade zone.
Mr Zhang believes policy concessions such as those on a free-trade zone may be on the horizon with Mr Xi’s visit.
“The tax support will be the most helpful policies for Hainan,” he said. “This year will be a turning point for this place.”
Meanwhile, MGM through a joint venture with China’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse has made investments in Hainan and hopes to open two more hotels there.
The MGM Grand Sanya in Hainan has about 675 rooms, and is one of the best performing hotels in the southern Sanya area, said Mr William Scott, general manager of MGM’s joint venture with Diaoyutai.
The business has a letter of intent for a Bellagio hotel and is pursuing another hotel in Sanya. The hope is for more government support in areas like air traffic infrastructure to boost tourism, Mr Scott said.
Hainan’s government has commissioned a group of eight scholars to study how to develop gambling tourism there — and how to legalise gambling in China.
One member of the group, Associate Professor Pei Guangyi from the School of Economics and Management at Hainan Normal University, published a paper in March arguing China should legalise gaming to reduce capital outflows through foreign casinos and introduce a body of regulations.
“Since you can’t stop Chinese people from gambling it is a better solution to make sure that foreign or private capital do not overly profit from it,” he said.
Source: todayonline.com
The Chinese Men’s Professional Basketball League (CBA League) and Sportradar announced a strategic extension of their partnership aimed at growing the league’s global presence and ensuring integrity within Chinese basketball.
This extension will leverage Sportradar’s expansive network to distribute more than 550 games, including highlights and short form video, through the regular and post-season. Through international broadcast and audio-visual distribution channels, including leading broadcasters, streaming services and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, the collaboration seeks to enhance fan engagement and broaden the league’s viewership in international markets.
CBA League will also continue to receive Sportradar’s market-leading integrity services, with its suite of technological solutions and products deployed to safeguard CBA League competitions against a range of integrity threats.
Shirley Lv, who led the broadcast rights negotiation at CBA League, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Sportradar and believe it will provide enriched possibilities and further awareness for CBA League, given the company’s extensive experience and recent track record. By building up opportunities globally in this long-term partnership, we look forward to developing the continued growth of the CBA League and reaching out to new audiences around the world.”
Ben Turner, Head of Sports Content and Partnerships, APAC and Head of Global Basketball, Sportradar said: “Sportradar is the unparalleled partner to propel CBA League towards previously untapped levels of global visibility. Basketball is one of only a few sports with significant global appeal, and Sportradar is committed to maximizing this potential for both the CBA League and our clients. Together, we will continue to unlock immense value through our content offering, fostering growth and engagements across diverse markets.”
The 2023/24 season is the CBA league’s 29th edition, with 20 teams vying for top honours.
Asia
Aurora Gaming Crowned Champions of $350,000 Skyesports Masters 2024, Earns Spot in Skyesports Championship
Aurora Gaming has been crowned the champions of the Skyesports Masters 2024, defeating OG 3-1 in an intense Grand Finals. With this victory, the team will take home $105,000 of the $350,000 prize pool and secure a slot in the next tournament of the 2024 Skyesports Counter-Strike 2 roadmap, the Skyesports Championship 2024.
The Skyesports Masters 2024 took place from April 8 to 14, featuring eight teams from India and Europe competing for the lion’s share of the substantial prize pool.
Coming in after a first-place finish at the Skyesports Grand Slam 2024 in Pune, India, last month, Aurora Gaming were on a hot streak and favored to win it all. The Siberian team had a dominant run throughout the upper bracket, achieving first place.
Facing Aurora in the Grand Finals was OG. The team had already lost to Aurora in their opening game of the Skyesports Masters and had to navigate through a high-stakes lower bracket, eliminating ENCE, Ninjas in Pyjamas, BIG, and BetBoom to reach the Grand Finals.
Aurora proved to be the stronger team this time as well, with a decisive 3-1 finish. The map-wise results were as follows:
● Anubis: 13-6 (Aurora Gaming)
● Mirage: 11-13 (OG)
● Ancient: 13-10 (Aurora Gaming)
● Overpass: 13-3 (Aurora Gaming)
In a post-match interview, Aurora’s Evgeniy “Norwi” Ermolin expressed gratitude to the team’s fans, stating, “I am feeling really good; we played really well today. Thank you for watching, for the support, and for everything. We will continue trying our best and look forward to playing some LAN.”
The Skyesports Masters 2024 reached a peak viewership of 41,833, a significant increase from the previous year, according to Esports Charts. Counter-Strike esports in India was given a revival through the 2023 and inaugural edition of the Skyesports Masters, the Playoffs for which happened in Bangalore, India. Skyesports has also announced that the Skyesports Masters will return for its third edition in the summer of 2025 with a six digit prize pool.
With this victory, Aurora Gaming has secured a slot in the Skyesports Championship 2024, the details of which will be announced later. It’s the next tournament in Skyesports’ 2024 Counter-Strike 2 esports roadmap, which has paved the way for international teams to look at the tournaments as viable IPs for them to participate in.
Commenting on the Skyesports Masters 2024, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports, said, “Congratulations to Aurora Gaming for winning the Skyesports Masters 2024. With more than 40,000 concurrent viewers, the tournament has made a significant impact in the global Counter-Strike 2 esports ecosystem, and I couldn’t be more excited for the future. Up next, we will bring another elite tournament, the Skyesports Championship 2024, which will be the sixth edition of this IP and the first time that Counter-Strike 2 will be a part.”
The International Esports Federation (IESF) is delighted to announce the highly-anticipated IESF Asian Esports Championship, set to take place in Chengdu, China, from September 9th to 14th, 2024. This championship will be the final regional qualifier leading to the 16th World Esports Championship Riyadh, WEC24.
Huati Gaming will bring its experience to this event as a local organizing committee, together with the China National Cyber Games and Sichuan International Expo Group.
The championship will begin with an online competition from June 20th to June 30th, providing a digital stage for the national champions to showcase their skills and secure a spot in the offline event. Athletes and teams from 42 countries in Asia and Oceania will come together to compete in Chengdu. The championship will feature competitions across CS2, CS2 Women, DOTA2, MLBB, and MLBB Women, and an online qualifier for PUBG MOBILE, showcasing the region’s diverse talent and interest in Esports.
“It is a great pleasure to host our first championship in Chengdu, China. The city is known for hosting big events, especially major esports tournaments, and it makes it the ideal location for this year’s Asian Esports Championship. This event will present a unique opportunity for the teams, athletes, and the large fanbase from this region, to experience the excitement of competition that defines our championships.” – stated Boban Totovski, IESF’s General Secretary.
In addition to top-tier competition, this championship will also provide opportunities for emerging talent to shine on an international stage. The winning teams will earn the privilege of representing their countries at the prestigious WEC24.
“Hosting the IESF Asian Esports Championship in Chengdu, China, fills us with immense pride as we welcome athletes and countries from across the region. The fans are already anticipating the thrilling competition, where the finest talent of Asian esports will showcase their skills. As we gather to compete, let us harmonize globally, celebrating our differences and uniting in the spirit of friendly competition.” – stated Xu Ming, Chairwoman of China National Cyber Games
Given Chengdu’s known reputation as a center for Esports excellence and innovation, the IESF Asian Esports Championship promises to be a celebration of Esports, uniting players and fans from this region in a showcase of skill, passion, and sportsmanship. Stay tuned for updates and announcements as the championship approaches.
Push Gaming’s DJ Cat Spins the Discs and the Reels
4ThePlayer Evolves MoneyWays for Ultra Entertainment in 4k Ultra Gold
Games Global and PearFiction Studios Excite with Three Thrilling LockNWin Features in Cerberus Gold
Aspire Global Appoints Jonathan Chilton as Managing Director to Accelerate Progress for ‘White-Label’ Solutions Business
Metaverse Studio Karta Reaches Huge Milestone with New Game Beat Builder
Embark on wild adventures with Armadillo Studios Paws and Claws: A Tail of Fortune
eSports in the CIS region , Q&A w/ Viktor Block, Senior Sales Manager/PandaScore
Nolimit City delivers a blast from the past with Tombstone No Mercy
1Stop Translations Partners with Suss Ads
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 11-17
Entain Examines Possible Sale of Overseas Gambling Brands
Thunderkick bolsters presence in Lithuania with 7bet deal
Can’t get no satisfaction – Q&A w/ Mateja Popovic CEO at Fincore
Sponsors Spotlight: iGaming Mastery Insights by Atlas-IAC and its CMO, Bogdana Yavorskaya
Compliable Expands Licensing Offering to Europe and Latin America
GiG bags a brace of deals for Spain and Argentina, with two new partners for its iGaming platform CoreX and Sportsbook, SportX
-
Baltics6 days agoHIPTHER Invites You to Recognize Gaming Excellence at the Baltic & Scandinavian Gaming Awards 2024 – Online Voting Session is Now Open!
-
eSports6 days ago
SIS to Deliver Round-the-Clock Competitive Gaming Product to Fairbet
-
Industry News5 days ago
FullCircl Announces Appointment of Georgio Anastasi as CFO
-
Baltics6 days ago
Wazdan expands in Lithuania with Twinsbet deal
-
Conferences in Europe6 days ago
Altenar becomes General Sponsor of EEGS 2024
-
Baltics6 days ago
Hacksaw Gaming and TOPsport are on TOP of their game with new partnership announcement in Lithuania
-
Asia5 days ago
Asia-Pacific Sports Betting Market Report 2024-2030, Featuring Dafabet, SBOBET, 1xBet, TAB, CrownBet, UBET, Sports Toto Malaysia, Mansion88, 12BET and W88
-
Canada6 days ago
Glitnor Group expands IBIA’s betting integrity presence in Ontario
