Operator News
Japan – Japan will bring creativity and innovation to world gaming
By Phil - 8 May 2017
Raymond Chan, Co-Founder and CEO of gaming technology company, TGG Interactive, believes the development of gaming in Japan and the consequent creation of a lucrative $40bn gaming and hospitality market, will add both innovation and creativity to the world gaming industry.
Sharing his analysis ahead of his appearance at the Japan Gaming Congress (May 10 to 11, Grand Hyatt, Tokyo), he stated: “Japan has been preparing itself as potential gaming hub in Asia for a long time and it is the third largest economy in the world. There’s no doubt that the local economy will benefit, and more importantly, we are expecting innovative ideas and creativity added into the gaming industry from Japan due to its very strong cultural background and long tradition in innovative product design and marketing.”
Mr Chan is one of the panellists appearing in the session: ‘Opportunities for local prefectures and Japanese firms’ when he will discuss with other gaming experts, the opportunities for Japanese companies in both international and local markets. He added: “We will also discuss the current situation affecting the international Electronic Gaming market which is accounting for over 70 per cent of gaming revenue in Las Vegas, and the entry barriers to the market from the USA, Europe to Australia and Asia, and soon to include Japan.
“I believe the Japan Gaming Congress will serve as a bridge, connecting the local Japanese market to the international gaming stage, as such, it will be vital to both local and international stakeholders. By bringing together gaming experts, talented games designers, thought leaders and regulators I believe it will prove invaluable as Japan enters a new era of legalised gaming following the approval of the Integrated Resort Promotion Bill.”
The Japan Gaming Congress is a two-day educational forum that will offer a clear, practical insight and understanding into the casino legislation in Japan. With a relatively short time to go before the first licences are issued, JgC provides an opportunity to fully understand the complex nature of IR Casinos in one of the potential superpowers in Asia. Topics to be covered at this year’s JgC, include: Building a MICE economy in conjunction with IR projects; Licensing regulations; Best practice in responsible gambling; IR locations and Financing IR projects.
It is close to capacity with over 420 delegates now registered for the event, which will feature thought leaders including, Mark Frissora, CEO, Caesars Entertainment; John Raczka, Former Vice President Entertainment Development & Operations, Melco Crown Entertainment; Masayo Watanabe, Senior Manager Sub-Leader for the Integrated Resort Support Office, Ernst & Young Japan; Masahiro Terada, Senior Manager, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (Japan) and Ed Bowers, CEO and Representative Officer, MGM Resorts Japan, LLC.
Rory Credland, Event Director for JgC, said: “The tremendous response from delegates reflects the importance of the lucrative gaming and hospitality market in Japan, estimated to be worth $40bn. Japan, which is the third largest economy in the world, has been preparing itself as a potential gaming hub in Asia for some time and with the gaming industry now tuned into the prospects of addressing this huge market following the approval of the Integrated Resort Promotion Bill, the Congress has taken on huge significance.”
