CONFERENCE DAY ONE: Monday 16 April 2007 (Land-based casinos)
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| 08.00 | Registration
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| 08.45 | Chairperson’s opening remarks
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| | Gurjit Singh, Director, Property Division, property, Sentosa Leisure Group
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| SUCCESSFUL GAMING STRATEGIES IN ASIA |
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| 09.00 | Keynote address:
From past to future. Key strategies for developing a successful and sustainable casino industry in Asia
- Gaming industry as a social stability factor
- Gaming industry as a catalyst for economic development
- Effects of a native enterprise on the gaming industry
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| | Ambrose So, Director, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM)
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| 09.30 | Keynote address:
Emergence of convergence in Asia - Examining strategies for structuring and implementing large scale multi-component resorts in the region
- Growing popularity for leisure integration and the need to adopt new strategies for resort development
- Key considerations and strategies for development in Asia
- The future for multi-component resorts in Asia
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| 10.00 | Morning refreshment and exhibition viewing
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| EXAMINING THE HOT MARKETS IN ASIA |
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| 10.30 | Panel discussion:
Are the current hot markets in Asia meeting financial expectations? A look at how the Asian gaming markets have performed over the past year
- Overview of Macau, Philippines, Korea, Malaysia
- What have been and are the expectations for these markets and have these been matched?
- Identifying the highs and lows of the past year and looking at the future outlook of the current hot markets
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| | Ambrose So, Director, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM)
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| 11.00 | Case study of Galaxy Macau. A performance review
- Financial Expectations and results
- Capital Structure and Resources
- Predictions and outlook for the future
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| | Peter Caveny, Principal - Investor Relations, Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited
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| 11.30 | Performance of gaming stocks doing business in Asia
- Review of past quarter and past year
- Current market trends and their impact on gaming stocks
- The likely future gaming growth in Asia
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| | Dan Ahrens, President, Ahrens Advisors, L.P, Portfolio Manager, Gaming and Casinos Fund, Gaming and Casinos Fund, USA
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| 12.00 | Networking lunch and exhibition viewing
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| FINANCING IN A CHANGING REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT |
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| 13.15 | Going private: The future of private equity activity in the Asian casino arena
- Current profitability vs heavy expenditure for long term benefits
- The ‘cost’ of pursuing growth and the draw for private equity funds. High cash flow
- Balancing the need for private funding with the need to preserve integrity and stability of gaming
- Adapting to the regulatory demands of private capital
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| | Adam Rosenberg, Managing director, Investment Banking Division, Co-Head of Gaming Group, Goldman Sachs
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| 13.45 | Panel discussion:
Project financing: Raising significant capital to sustain unprecedented casino development in emerging markets
- Debt capital raising
- Equity capital raising
- Regulatory backdrop and impact that this has on financing issues
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| | Peter Caveny, Principal - Investor Relations, Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited Moderator: Adam Rosenberg, Managing director, Investment Banking Division, Co-Head of Gaming Group, Goldman Sachs
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| 14.30 | Afternoon refreshments and exhibition viewing
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| EMERGING MARKETS – WHAT’S NEXT FOR ASIA |
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| 15.00 | Timeline and regulatory framework for casino development in Northern Asia
- Current political initiative of Japan and other countries in northern Asia
- What will be the future of the casino industry in Northern Asia
- Highlighting the timeline for future development in Northern Asia
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| | Toru Mihara, Advisor, Casino Study Group, Liberal Democratic Party of Japan
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| 15.30 | Panel discussion:
Moving on from Macau – Revealing the new investment hot spots in Asia
- China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam - Current position on gaming
- What are the opportunities for investment
- What opportunities will gaming create for other industries in these countries
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| | Adam Rosenberg, Managing director, Investment Banking Division, Co-Head of Gaming Group, Goldman Sachs Toru Mihara, Advisor, Casino Study Group, Liberal Democratic Party of Japan Moderator: Chris Downy, Executive Director, Australian Casinos Association
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| 16.00 | Case study:
From Russia to Asia: Expanding casino operations into new Asian markets
- The effects and results of a thoughtless new gaming law in Russia
- What happens to an $8billion a year gaming business under threat of closure?
- Expanding into Asia and beyond
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| CHAMPAGNE ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS – CASINO OPERATIONS |
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| 16.30 | Roundtable topics
Table 1: Casino design Paul Steelman, President and CEO, Paul Steelman Design Group, USA
Table 2: Gaming technology and the latest developments Sean Manchanda, Managing Director, Goldstrike Capital Plc, USA
Table 3: Leadership styles - Charismatic vs corporate Ben Lee, Vice President - Casino Projects, Diamond Casinos Group, Macau
Table 4: Putting together the best bid for new projects in Asia Robert Stocker, Vice President, International Masters of Gaming Law, USA
Table 5: Forming strategic partnerships with hotels and airlines Jonathan Galaviz, Partner, Globalysis |
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| 17.00 | End of Conference Day One, followed by Networking Cocktail Sponsored by:  |
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CONFERENCE DAY TWO: Tuesday 17 April 2007 (Land-based casinos)
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| 09.00 | Chairperson’s opening remarks
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| | Adam Rosenberg, Managing director, Investment Banking Division, Co-Head of Gaming Group, Goldman Sachs
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| GAMING EXPERIENCE |
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| 09.15 | Keynote address:
Casino design and décor: Using architecture, interior design and lighting to enhance player experience
- Underfloor systems, lighting and interiors. Looking at the challenges and benefits
- How does casino design and décor differ between jurisdictions?
- Cultural considerations when deciding on design and décor
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| | Paul Steelman, President and CEO, Paul Steelman Design Group, USA
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| 09.45 | Convergence trends in gaming: Mobile/traditional, online/Land-based
- Device convergence and the “Thumbs Generation” - Implications for game developers of a tech-savvy generation
- “Content is King” - Extending the reach of traditional video slots
- Regulatory and legal implications - Licensing, brands and IP protection
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| 10.15 | Going online. Assessing the legal options for land based casinos to explore the online gaming world
- The benefits of branded online and mobile games for the land based casino
- Importance of keeping in line with current legislation whilst focusing on new regulations in the future
- Developing ‘play for free’ or ‘play for prizes’ style games to stay within the law
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| 10.45 | Morning refreshments and exhibition viewing
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| KEY DYNAMICS OF THE ASIAN PLAYER |
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| 11.30 | Panel discussion:
VIP vs mass market: Are high rollers more valuable than high numbers in Asia?
- Where does the revenue come from
- The merits and pitfalls of different players
- How does the Asian player shape up
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| | Ben Lee, Vice President, Casinos Project, Diamond Casinos Group, Macau Moderator: Chris Downy, Executive Director, Australian Casinos Association
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| 12.00 | Tapping in on the mass market: Examining strategies to attract players from China
- Benefits of mass market players
- Best practices for attracting mass market
- Future shape of the Asian player
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| | Ben Lee, Vice President, Casinos Project, Diamond Casinos Group, Macau
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| 12.30 | Networking lunch and exhibition viewing
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CONFERENCE DAY TWO: Tuesday 17 April 2007 (Stream A - Land-based casinos)
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| STREAM A – FOCUS ON LAND-BASED CASINOS |
Chairman
Adam Rossenberg, Managing Director, Co-Head of Gaming Group, Goldman Sachs
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| NEW GENERATION GAMING – AN ERA OF CHANGE |
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| 14.00 | Creating destinations: From integrated resorts to destination resorts
- Creating destinations within destinations and converging themed attractions and gaming as an economic activity
- Increasing the "fun quotient" in the destinations - food, beverage and entertainment
- Establishing competitive advantages
- The Sentosa Case Study - Its a destination more than just a mega development
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| 14.30 | Panel discussion:
MICE means money: Attracting the MICE crowd to casino destinations
- Potential for generating revenue through MICE
- How will an increase in MICE guests impact on other revenue streams in a destination
- Strategies for achieving a successful and sustainable MICE element in a destination
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| 15.00 | Afternoon refreshments and speed networking
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| 15.30 | Incorporating retail themes into the casino experience
- Increasing player numbers through retail themes and where do the opportunities lie in the casino/retail mix?
- What will be the impact of retail on the Asian player profile?
- How will the retail evolve within the casino environment?
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| WHATS NEW? KEEPING UP WITH CASINO TECHNOLOGY |
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| 16.00 | Slot system technology: A look at the latest developments
- Latest changes and advancements and the implications for operators
- How will these changes impact on players and player loyalty
- What changes are predicted for the future
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| | Buddy Frank, Vice President of Slot Operations, Viejas Casinos
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| 16.30 | When technology cannot beat the cheat: Educating floor staff and dealers to spot the scams
- Scams doing the rounds
- How to spot them
- Importance of Education at all levels
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| | Richard Marcus, Author and Casino Cheating Expert, The World's Greatest Gambling Scams
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| 17.00 | End of Conference Day Two
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CONFERENCE DAY TWO: Tuesday 17 April 2007 (Stream B - iGaming)
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| STREAM B – FOCUS ON I-GAMING |
Chairman
Michael Caselli, Managing Editor, iGaming Business Magazine, UK
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| IMPACT OF THE US PROHIBITION BILL ON I-GAMING |
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| 14.00 | Keynote address:
A future in Asia? A look at what the US Prohibition Bill has meant for online gaming in the Asia Pacific region
- Will Asia become the next online gaming hub?
- How will do Asian players differ to western players and what will be some of the important considerations for operators moving into Asia
- How will a rise in online gaming in Asia impact on both the economy and Asian society
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| 14.30 | Keynote panel discussion:
Online gambling - Can it be controlled or is it an unstoppable entity?
- Online Gambling: The situation in America and is the bill just symbolic?
- Circumventing prohibition and gaps in the law. Has the US Bill only driven online gambling into darker corners as gamblers move to unregulated sites?
- The impact of the bill on public vs private companies
- Looking forward. Will the US eventually legalize online gambling?
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| | Dan Ahrens, President, Ahrens Advisors, L.P, Portfolio Manager, Gaming and Casinos Fund, Gaming and Casinos Fund, USA Ted Loh, Sales Director Asia, Playtech Software Ltd Moderator: Mario Galea, CEO, Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority
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| 15.00 | Afternoon refreshments and speed networking
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| CYBERCRIME AND THE RISK IT POSES TO I-GAMING IN ASIA |
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| 15.30 | Panel discussion:
Emerging threats - What are the changing trends in online crime in Asia and what are the risks that these will pose to the future of iGaming in the region?
- Payment, card, security issues and money laundering
- Combating the insider risk
- Best prevention strategies
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| | Linda Woo, Acting Executive Director, Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation, Australia
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| 16.00 | Investigating fraud within an i-gaming environment
- Identification of fraudulent activity and identification of a modus operandi
- Use of computer forensic information and information sharing
- Collation and preparation of evidence
- Outcomes and values
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| 16.30 | Minimising the risk of fraud and money-laundering in igaming
- Vulnerabilities and areas of greatest risk
- Importance of staff training and education in identifying and preventing fraud and money laundering
- Other strategies for minimising the risk and achieving long term prevention
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| 17.00 | End on Conference Day Two
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CONFERENCE DAY THREE: Wednesday 18 April 2007 (iGaming)
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| 09.00 | Chairperson’s opening remarks
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| MOVING EAST: ONLINE GAMING EXPANDING INTO ASIA |
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| 09.15 | Keynote panel discussion:
Where are the next hotspots for online gaming in Asia?
- A review of the current online gaming environment in Asia
- Possible challenges that online gaming companies will encounter in Asia
- Mapping the future landscape of online gaming in Asia. Which countries are looking likely to accommodate online gaming in the near future?
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| | Jason Chan, CEO, Macom Communications Co. Ltd, Macau Ted Loh, Sales Director Asia, Playtech Software Ltd
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| 10.00 | Learning from the experience of Poker in the West to make a successful community gaming environment in Asia
- Success factors: Poker’s rise in the West
- Regionalisation: Will Asia learn Poker
- Adaptation: Finding “Poker” success factors in Asian Games
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| 10.30 | Morning refreshments
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| 11.00 | The development and launch of Asian games in Asia: Legal and cultural considerations
- Identifying the need for different kinds of online Asian games in Asia
- Legal and cultural considerations for the development of these games
- What will be the future trend for online games in Asia
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| REGULATIONS, LAWS AND CULTURAL BARRIERS – ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES |
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| 11.30 | I-Gaming regulatory environment in Asia: What will be the challenges for operators
- Current regulatory environment
- Looking at how the regulatory environment in Asia impacts on operators moving to the region
- How and where are regulations concerning gaming likely to change in the near future
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| | Linda Woo, Acting Executive Director, Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation, Australia
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| 12.00 | Difficulties that western online gaming operators may encounter operating within a different cultural market
- Possibility of sudden governmental changes of heart
- Asian player preferences - Prefer to play with players of the same ethnic background
- Preference for card games over machines
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| | Jason Chan, CEO, Macom Communications Co. Ltd, Macau
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| 12.30 | Networking lunch and exhibition viewing
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| EMERGING TRENDS IN NON TRADITIONAL GAMING ENTITIES |
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| 13.30 | The potential for betting exchanges in Asia
- The exchange phenomena - A history of the success story to date
- Looking at Asia's current position on betting
- Key strategies for developing a successful betting exchange in Asia
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| 14.00 | Going mobile: cashing in on the mobile gambling explosion in Asia
- The current trends in the Asian mobile gaming industry
- What do Asian players want from mobile gaming and need to know success factors and pitfalls of mobile gaming
- Strategies for long-term growth and success
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| 14.30 | Multi-channel gaming
- Single channel vs Multi-channel
- Multi-channel clients, incremental or canabalising traditional gaming revenue?
- Where should one invest for the future?
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| 15.00 | Afternoon refreshments
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| OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ONLINE GAMING |
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| 15.30 | Money matters: Getting the most out of your payment systems
- Different types of payment systems available and the hidden benefits of each
- Protection from charge backs and using payment systems to satisfy regulatory requirements
- eWallet payment systems and their use as customer base marketing tools
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| 16.00 | Hosting: Making the right decision when it comes to finding a good hosting service provider
- Requirements of a good game server
- Benefits of virtual, shared and dedicated hosting
- Rent vs own and other important considerations
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| 16.30 | Closing keynote plenary:
Protecting iGaming against major forms of online cheating
- Player collision
- Software programs
- Server manipulation
- Hacking
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| | Richard Marcus, Author and Casino Cheating Expert, The World's Greatest Gambling Scams
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| 17.00 | End of Conference
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