internationalcasinoreview Singapore to leapfrog Australia and South News ASIA & OCEANIA
Sands Macao has spring in its step with Playboy launch
Following the success of Playboy Club Las Vegas, the world’s most glamorous and established entertainment brand is determined to elevate Macau beyond its status as a gaming centre and to pioneer its move into becoming a high-end entertainment destination.
timetoplay CHINA
Playboy Enterprises officially wel- comed guests to Playboy Club Macao on the top floor of Sands Macao Hotel November 20. Influenced by the original
Playboy Club which was first launched in 1960, Playboy Club Macao has been designed to reflect the latest Asian trends in high-end entertainment. The sophisticated entertainment and gaming venue will span 12,000 square feet and will offer stunning views of the city skyline.
Hugh Hefner, founder and chief
creative officer of Playboy Enter- prises, said: “The opening of Playboy Clubs around the world proves the brand is more popular than ever before. Seeing the Bunnies in a global market as important as Macau shows that the Playboy Clubs are once again revolutionising nightlife.” Scott Flanders, chief executive
officer of Playboy Enterprises, added: “We are thrilled to bring the Playboy brand to life in Macau with this dynamic new nightlife venue. By partnering with Sands Macao, a world-class operator with proven success in the market, Playboy is offering residents and visitors alike a completely new entertainment and gaming experience.” A spokesperson for Sands said:
“Playboy’s entrance into Macau is a welcome addition to Sands’ offering for the region. The presence of the Playboy brand ensures further success and varied entertainment for everyone visiting Macau.”
The Playboy Club has historically
attracted high profile members and the most sought after entertainers of the time, and Macau will be no exception. Confirmed celebrity members, who are called Key Holders, presently include Lisa S, Michael Wong, Terrence Yin and Patricia Cheung, among others. The Club’s Las Vegas counterpart Key Holders includes some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, such as P. Diddy, Kim Kardashian, Usher and Paris Hilton. Edward Tracy, president and chief
operating officer, Sands China, added: “Macau is being positioned as the ‘entertainment hub of Asia,’ and the arrival of the Playboy Club in Macau will further strengthen this positioning. Sands China is pleased to spearhead this effort by bringing a world class entertain- ment and lifestyle experience to Macao. The arrival of Playboy Club Macao raised the bar in nightlife entertainment for people living in and travel to Macau.” With Playboy inspired décor, the
club will be reminiscent of the 1960s Playboy Clubs. Guests will be able to enjoy high specification media rooms, live entertainment and private gaming.
In tandem with the Playboy Club opening will be the return of the Playboy Bunny to Asia, an iconic mainstay of the Playboy Brand. On October 15, Playboy Club Macao held a Bunny Hunt event to initiate the recruitment of Bunny hopefuls to serve as the new Club’s brand ambassadors. Playboy received over 600 Playboy Bunny applications
from Macau, Hong Kong, Australia, Romania, Brazil, the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world. The new Playboy Bunnies will undergo the strict training required for the position. To celebrate the launch of
Playboy Club Macao, internationally acclaimed Hong Kong fashion designer Pacino Wan has been chosen to add his style to the iconic Playboy Bunny Costume. Following in the footsteps of Roberto Cavalli, Pacino Wan will add Asian flare to the iconic Bunny Costume, origi- nally created in 1960 by Hugh Hefner.
“The Chinese think of us as an
American fashion brand,” said Jared Dougherty, vice president of mar- keting license group at Playboy. “But we think they’ll be lured by the brand to the club.” Playboy Club Macao joins Playboy Club Las Vegas at The Palms Casino Resort and Playboy Club Cancun, as well as future properties in develop-
Korea by 2011 Singapore will overtake Australia and South Korea by next year to become Asia’s second largest casino gaming market after Macau, according to a new report from consultants PwC. It said Singapore’s revenues would hit US$2.8bn in 2010 and US$5.5bn in 2011, overtaking Australia’s US$2.8bn and South Korea’s US$2.5bn, to be the second largest in the Asia Pacific behind Macau’s US$28.4bn. Greg Unsworth, PwC Singapore’s Technology, Infocomm, Entertainment & Media Industry Leader, expects GGR to top US$8.3bn by 2014.“Singapore has made a dramatic entry to the casino gaming market,” he said.
ment in Miami and London. In addition to Playboy Club
Macao, Playboy and Sands China are also planning to open a 30,000 square foot Playboy Mansion in 2012. Integrating bars, lounges, nightclub, gaming and retail, the Playboy Mansion Macao will offer an entirely new nightlife experi- ence capitalising on the allure and history of the legendary Playboy
Mansion. The Mansion will be devel- oped on parcels 5 and 6 owned by Sands on the Cotai Strip. The Venet- ian’s executive vice-president for marketing operations, Kevin Clayton, said the attractions would ‘complement’ other entertainment offers already available in Cotai. “We, the gaming operators, have to work together to build Cotai as a destination,” he said.
Accor to provide hotel at Manila’s first racino
startersorders PHILIPPINES
Accor Group will work with MJC Investments Corporation (MIC), a subsidiary of Manila Jockey Club, for the latter’s planned hotel-
casino project earmarked for the first racino in Manila at the former San Lazaro racetrack.
The deal will see Accor appointed for hotel consultancy and
management services in relation to a 250-room 4-
12 January 2011 • asia&oceanianews star hotel to be
constructed by MIC on a 1.4 hectare property within the PEZA-registered San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park. The Accor Group manages over 4,100 hotels worldwide with
brands including Sofitel, Mercure, Novotel, Pullman, Ibis and Etap. The Mercure brand has been chosen for the development
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and MIC had
earlier signed an agreement for PAGCOR to establish, manage and operate a casino at a hotel to be constructed by MIC. This will be the second casino MJCI will be leasing to PAGCOR. The first one, PAGCOR Club
San Lazaro (PGSL), is located at the Turf Club at the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park in Carmona, Cavite opened in December 8, 2006. The racino will house over 250 slot machines and six gaming tables.
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