Australia-based slot machine maker Aristocrat Leisure Ltd has appointed Chris Rowe as the firm’s managing director Asia-Pacific. The announcement was made by the company in an email sent on Tuesday to GGRAsia.
The post of managing director Asia-Pacific was previously occupied by Vincent Kelly, who recently left Aristocrat.
Mr Rowe (pictured) joined Aristocrat in 2004. Most recently, he was sales and business development director for Asia-Pacific. In his new role, he will continue to be based in Macau.
“Working across the region over the last two and a half years has given me insight into just how dynamic and diverse these markets are, along with real belief in the potential that lies ahead,” Mr Rowe said in a prepared statement included in Aristocrat’s email.
He added: “Aristocrat will continue to focus on further strengthening our partnerships with casino customers in Asia-Pacific. We have an important role in helping our customers meet their challenges, whether that’s in terms of managing complexity, finding growth or responding to change in the market.”
Australian Securities Exchange-listed Aristocrat Leisure posted net profit after tax for the half year to March 31 of AUD249.6 million (US$198.0 million), representing 56.9-percent growth – or 53 percent in constant currency terms – compared to the AUD159.1 million delivered in the six months to March 31, 2016. “Asia Pacific performance was strong, mainly driven by large-scale openings in the Philippines and Malaysia where market-leading ship share was achieved,” the company stated at the time.
