• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Galaxy Ent eyes opportunities in Japan: chairman

Mar 01, 2017 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Galaxy Ent eyes opportunities in Japan: chairman

Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd is interested in bidding for a gaming business in Japan, even as it prepares to expand its Macau operations, says company founder and chairman Lui Che Woo (pictured).

Mr Lui stated on Tuesday that the casino firm is looking for business opportunities in Japan. He added that the company would in likelihood join forces with local partners if it eventually bids for a casino licence in that country. The executive was speaking during the announcement of Galaxy Entertainment’s 2016 earnings results.

Legislation making casino gambling legal in Japan came officially into effect on December 26. But casino legalisation in Japan is a two-statute process. After approval of the enabling bill legalising casino resorts at the conceptual level, a second piece of legislation has now to be passed, detailing the specifics with respect to licensing, investment, location and taxation.

On Tuesday, Mr Lui said he was optimistic that the remaining Japan casino legislation would move forward, and noted that Galaxy Entertainment already had an office in Tokyo.

The executive highlighted the business relationships that his family’s Hong Kong-based building materials firm K. Wah Group Ltd already has with Japanese companies. Galaxy Entertainment was originally spun off from K. Wah Group, a company founded by Mr Lui in 1955.

“We have a relationship with Japan’s industrial players for over 50 years…we will seek cooperation opportunities and [to] do a big project [in Japan],” Mr Lui was quoted as saying on Tuesday by the South China Morning Post newspaper.

Several investment analysts covering the gaming sector have suggested that foreign casino operators will have to find local partners in order to be able to bid for a casino licence in Japan.

Brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd however said it “remains too early to provide any value for a Japan option [for Galaxy Entertainment] at this stage”.

“While Galaxy may be a strong operator in Macau, it will face very strong competition from other more global competitors and a Chinese, Macau-only, operator may not be a top choice for Japan,” said analysts Vitaly Umansky, Zhen Gong and Yang Xie in a Tuesday note.

Most major global casino operators have expressed an interest in developing an integrated resort – including a casino – in Japan. The list of potential suitors includes Las Vegas Sands Corp, MGM Resorts International, Genting Singapore Plc and Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd.

Galaxy Entertainment on Tuesday posted annual profit of HKD6.28 billion (US$809.1 million) for 2016, up 51 percent from the prior year. The company said that same day it expected to commence construction for Phase 3 and Phase 4 of Galaxy Macau, in Macau’s Cotai district “in late first quarter or early second quarter of 2017”.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Macau ops to submit 2023 invest plans to govt this month
    Macau ops to submit 2023 invest plans...

    Mar 07, 2023  

  • Tickets for Blackpink shows in Macau sold out: Galaxy Ent
    Tickets for Blackpink shows in Macau...

    Mar 06, 2023  

More news
  • Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp
    Main-building work at Naga 3 begins...

    Mar 24, 2023  

  • Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch
    Macau diversification into non-gaming...

    Mar 24, 2023  


Latest News

Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp

Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp

Mar 24, 2023  

Piling work for Naga 3, an addition to the NagaWorld gaming complex in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, was at “96 percent completion”, said the promoter’s 2022 annual report, issued on...
Read More
Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch

Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch

Mar 24, 2023  

Osaka to up ‘gambling addiction’ centres before IR opens

Osaka to up ‘gambling addiction’ centres before IR

Mar 24, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


April 8, 2028

Completion deadline for 'Marina Bay Sands 2.0', as authorised by Singapore’s authorities



Most Popular

  • Sands China woos Singaporeans as Air Macau opens routeSands China woos Singaporeans as Air Macau opens route March 23, 2023
  • March 18 Macau arrivals nearly 100k, best since pandemicMarch 18 Macau arrivals nearly 100k, best since pandemic March 23, 2023
  • Contractor named, work starts for Wynn UAE schemeContractor named, work starts for Wynn UAE scheme March 23, 2023
  • LVS gets 1-year extension for Marina Bay Sands 2.0 startLVS gets 1-year extension for Marina Bay Sands 2.0 start March 24, 2023
  • Universal Ent affiliate to develop land next to Okada ManilaUniversal Ent affiliate to develop land next to Okada Manila March 24, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us