Casino Oct08 P14-16 9/29/08 11:35 am Page 16
MACAU BUSINESS
put it in numerical terms, if Macau’s growth potential
is 10 percent, then Cambodia’s will be 90 percent,”
he says. To back this optimism, his firm’s projected
revenue growth for next year is about 55 percent.
Although Cambodia’s gaming market has seen
lightning growth in recent years, its scale remains far
behind Macau. At present there are 25 casinos in
Cambodia, most of which operate in the country’s
border areas to cash in on clients from neighbouring
Thailand and Myanmar where casinos are not legal.
However, many of these casinos are small-scale
properties similar to those which populated Macau’s
gaming scene before the industry’s liberalisation.
There is a long way to go before Cambodia can
emulate Macau’s rip-roaring success story. But Suhr
contends it may take Cambodia less time to transform
itself into a robust gaming destination.
And to the sceptics Suhr says just take a look at the
boomtown that is Macau today, achieving over the
course of four years what Las Vegas took two decades
one hand, we are hoping to use Macau as a gateway to build.
to attract more customers from mainland China and
other Asian countries like Japan to Las Vegas Sun. On
the other, we believe the Macau market can also
benefit from our close ties with high-end Vietnamese
customers.”
He says they intend to learn from the Macau
experience of providing customised services for
Chinese patrons.
“I think it’s crucial to learn more about the
different customs and traditions of our target
customers before we can offer the best services to Golden triangle
them. So if we want to attract more Chinese
customers, I think we must understand their needs Suhr believes Asia-wide the growing trend of
first,” Suhr says. legalisation and liberalisation will be a good thing for
Another important role for the Macau office is to the region: “Some people may have reservations
gather information on the latest industry trends in a about gaming, but the social benefits of the business
bid to help develop niche markets. are obvious. It is a legitimate form of entertainment
Although the mainland and Hong Kong now and investment. Above all, it can stimulate growth in
provide more than 70 percent of visitors to Macau’s the entire economy by attracting tourist dollars and
casinos, Suhr is keeping an eye on the rapid growth generating tax revenues,” he says.
of customers from neighbouring countries such as Meanwhile Suhr does not think the opening of the
Japan and Malaysia. His firm is also hoping to gaming industry in more Asian jurisdictions will lead
embrace these markets through its Macau link. to fiercer competition.
But he asserts that he does not envisage direct His view is that there are boundless opportunities
competition between Macau and Cambodia, for growth and he is confident that the market is big
emphasising that the two places can be regional enough for everyone: “It will keep expanding as long
partners. as we continue to improve our infrastructure and
services, and build ever more state-of-the-art
From strength to strength facilities.
“In the long run, Cambodia, together with Macau
Suhr is more than upbeat about Cambodia’s casino and Singapore, may emerge as Asia’s golden triangle
industry – hailing the developing country as the next for gaming,” he says.
cash cow for casino firms. In his opinion, if Vegas and But he has some advice for other aspiring
Macau have managed to strike gold given their jurisdictions in the world of gaming, it’s best to learn
locations in the middle of a desert and on the tip of from Macau’s rich experience. After all, he says, the
South China Sea respectively, Cambodia’s future business is not simply about building a casino and
could be just as bright given its strategic location. inviting customers to it; there are other broader
“Needless to say, Macau’s gaming market is already issues like branding and market regulation that must
mature and it has a better infrastructure than be tackled properly.
Cambodia. But in terms of growth potential, I think
Cambodia definitely has more room for expansion. To www.macaubusiness.com
16 OCTOBER 2008
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