Q&A with Rosalind Wade of ASEAN Gaming Summit.

A high-end hotel and retail complex – the Conrad Manila in the Philippines – seems to be the place to be for operators, regulators, and suppliers from Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd March, 2018. What’s happening?

Asia Gaming Brief (AGB) will be convening the Asian gaming industry in one place for a 3 day conference on the very latest trends and opportunities in casinos, integrated resorts and online gaming and betting.

It will be the second edition of the ASEAN Gaming Summit. In what way do you believe this year’s conference will differ from the 2017 edition?

In 2018 we have consolidated the main conference content into two days, with streamed tracks focusing on business strategy and technology in the afternoons to allow delegates to tailor the sessions to their particular interests.

Specialist masterclasses on the third day will focus on regulatory and legal issues, security and fraud prevention, and digital marketing.

Can you give us three good reasons why the ASEAN Gaming Summit is a must-attend for operators, regulators, and suppliers?

• Participants will have the chance to meet with well over 300 senior level executives from across the region. With ample networking opportunities built into the programme, they can be sure that this is a place to do business as well as learn about the latest trends.

• The Philippines is the epicentre of gaming in the SE Asian region, being the only place where both land-based and online gaming is regulated. Find out what the future holds for both, where will be the next hotspots for gaming, and how the ASEAN markets compare with other regional and global jurisdictions.

• Our specialist 360° Kiosk-style meeting space provides a comfortable and convenient place to meet with clients and showcase products and services, while the dedicated networking app allows participants to book meetings in advance of the show.

What subjects can attendants expect to be covered during the ASEAN Gaming Summit and any keynote guest speakers you want to highlight?

The 2018 ASEAN Gaming Summit will feature more brand new speakers from different sectors, with keynote speakers providing a bird’s eye perspective on major macro-economic, travel and technology trends.

Highlights include luxury spending and VIP trends, maximising yield for casinos, mobile and smartphone trends, digital disruptors and tomorrow’s technology, blockchain and smart contracts, new betting trends, and how to mitigate internal and external risk.

Considering the fact that the ASEAN Gaming Summit is having a focus on the Asian gambling market. Can you give us an update about current developments and trends in the market and potential possibilities in terms of online gambling?

While online gaming and sports betting are not actively regulated in more than a handful of markets in Asia, it is generally accepted that it is a powerhouse in terms of the sheer volume and size of bets generated. The entire Asian market is thought to be worth between USD$75 – $100 billion.

As the market matures and operators become more sophisticated, along with the entrance of many overseas brands, innovations from Europe in the form of improved UX, bonusing, different bet types, affiliate marketing and customer retention are making their way to Asia’s shores.

What do you think it is that makes the Asian gambling market attractive compared to the European and CIS markets?

Asians, and Chinese in particular, have a huge propensity to gamble and typical bet sizes are many times those seen in Europe and CIS. Their love of football is also legendary and they closely follow the English Premier League, as well as other prominent leagues.

It’s an extremely attractive market due to the large volumes, but it takes time to understand the nuances of each market and the many differences that still exist between Asia and Europe.

A question I’m eager to ask out of curiosity. How do you expect the Asian online gambling market to develop in the next 3-5 years?

The cash market will develop as the reliance on agents and credit reduces, as will the adoption of digital currencies. Mobile platforms will continue to expand and customer marketing become more sophisticated as competition increases. 

Hopefully more markets will regulate, such as Cambodia, Vietnam and India.