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Japan’s casino dreams are founded on false hope

Japan has stepped up efforts to liberalise its gambling legislation and cultivate a casino industry, whose potential value has been put at $40 billion by some analysts. However, a poor showing in parliament for new gambling reforms means Japan’s ambitions might be strangled in the crib.

The current political debacle reveals that investors’ buzz around ‘the new Macau’ was groundless from the start. In this article, I will provide an overview of the recent, botched efforts to legalise casino gambling in Japan and demonstrate that the country’s potential as a gambling hot-spot has been drastically overstated.

Johnny Rockets Universal appeal

How was 2013 for the Johnny Rockets Franchise operations and how is the year ahead shaping up?

Last year (2013) went really well for our Johnny Rockets operations.  As with any business, challenges were present everywhere like the rise of competition in the food industry, price sensitivity related concerns of the consumers, increasing price of the raw materials, not enough excellent real estate for the brand to expand and domestic economic related matters.  Even with so many challenges as mentioned above in the food industry, we view the future very positively and are still planning on expanding the brand in the Philippines.

What age group would you say are you seeing most growth in patrons to your Johnny Rockets Franchises?

Plentiful Potential

What has been the reaction to the opening of Lola’s Underground Casino.

I have to admit, the wholly positive reaction when we opened the doors to Lola’s even flummoxed me a little, and I knew what was behind them!

It’s worked wonderfully because we’re delivering both a new type of customer to the Hippodrome while delighting our existing visitors because it gives them another alternative area to explore. And people are staying longer, up to 50% longer than the average dwell time.

The Extreme Casino Makeover

Chris Moore reflects on his expirences in the Casino industry during his time in the former Eastern Block.

If we look back to 2007, initial expansion started from the casino's then 43,000 sq ft, expanding it to over 115,000 sq ft followed by a further development that added 7,000 sq ft to provide a full service nonsmoking casino for guests, plus in 2010 the 108-room 160,000 sq ft hotel was added. That all added up to over 300,000 sq ft of entertainment fun and excitement, but you haven't stopped there – further development has been undertaken. Can you provide details on how the enterprise is operating in 2013/2014?

Total Entertainment Experience

Glyn Thomas chats to with Richard Noble Chief Operating Officer at Aspers Group Limited.

Recollections - Heading East

Chris Moore reflects on his expirences in the Casino industry during his time in the former Eastern Block.

Manila Bay Resorts ‘Real-Life Wonderland ‘

Peter White chats with Executive Vice President – Casino Operations and Marketing Matt Hurst Tiger Resort, Leisure & Entertainment Inc.

Universal Entertainment has managed steady growth over its 45 years, with its founder & Chairman of the Board Kazuo Okada, still at the forefront of the organisations expansion; one can see that the organisation has been founded on very strong ideology.

Manila Bay Resorts is the first integrated resort project of Mr. Okada, and we aim to be the innovative global leader in gaming and entertainment resorts.

Is there a date yet for the opening of the Manila Bay Resort.

OCEAN VIEW

Peter White chats with Desmond Whitcher Director Alternate Gaming & Innovation Sun International during a very busy international business trip.

Later this year one of South Americas most impressive new Resort Hotels that is also the tallest building in Panama, will open its Casino  venue that encompasses a 75,000 sq-ft gaming area, which will  be known as the Ocean Club Casino. Peter White chatted with Desmond Whitcher during the London ICE Totally Gaming Show last month about Sun Internationals latest exciting new venture in one of South Americas strongest economies.

Casino opens its doors  first week September 2014

Mr. Halpenny Had a Very Busy 2013

In spite of a 19-hour time difference, Adrian Halpenny of Bally Technologies was able to have a long, pleasant conversation with Jack Bulavsky, Special Assignment Correspondent for Casino Life.

Adrian Halpenny became Bally Technologies’ Senior Vice President of Australia and Europe when Bally acquired SHFL entertainment in November 2013. Since October 2010, he had been serving as President of SHFL entertainment Australia. Prior to that position, he was Director of Operations and has been in the electronics manufacturing industry for a number of years. Prior to joining SHFL entertainment, Halpenny held the position of General Manager, Startronics for five years and has also held operational leadership roles with ACL Automotive Components.

On The Beach

Caesars Entertainment's Dean McBride's career has taken him from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico. By David McKee

Corvallis, Oregon, in the Klamath Valley, in 1961. [Graduated from] the home of the fighting Beavers, Oregon State University. Directly after college, a family member had a business starting in Ketichkan, and part of it was charitable gaming. So I went into gaming immediately after college. From there I become involved in what you and I know as casinos. I moved to Reno, Nevada, in 1990. I spent about three and a half years in Alaska, and spent some time in Portland, Oregon, and relocated to Reno.