Genting Embraces Online Gambling

MALAYSIA – Genting International has made its first foray into the online gambling sector with the operation of its online casino and poker room last Friday.

Branded CircusCasino and CircusPoker and downloadable via the Stanley Casino site (www.stanleycasinos.com), the Malaysian gambling group’s online gambling sites are seen by experts as tests for potential launches in other parts of Asia. Genting already owns Stanley Leisure and has been actively buying stocks in gaming company, Rank Plc, this year.

Stanley Leisure have had several attempts at building its own online gaming system before being acquired by Genting. For its most recent online gaming venture, Stanley chose instead to purchase its casino and poker software from popular vendor/developer Playtech Limited (www.playtech.com).

Experts predict that Genting/Stanley will have massive cross-selling opportunities to boost its online venture thanks largely to its large database of members that play through the company’s landbased casinos.

Heavy Metal Mag, Cantor Gaming Sign Games Deal

LONDON – Hoping to capture the attention of hardcore fans of the adult fantasy magazine, Heavy Metal, Cantor Gaming (www.cantorcasino.com) has signed an exclusive deal with the popular magazine to develop a series of online casino games based on characters from Heavy Metal.

“Heavy Metal has long been a cult classic and our design teams immediately saw the ability to build innovative, cutting-edge casino games based on the brand,” said Manu Gambhir, Cantor Gaming Managing Director. “The games will be edgy, highly-animated and deliver a completely new experience to our players.”

Gambhir added that the team-up with Heavy Metal is in line with Cantor Gaming’s mission “to provide its players with fresh, exciting games from leading brands around the world.”

Kevin Eastman who is publisher and editor of Heavy Metal since he acquired it in 1991 commented:

“I am delighted to have reached an agreement with Cantor Gaming to bring the unique characters and storylines to a new marketplace that I am sure will appreciate the vibrancy and originality of the brand.”

Eastman is also popular for his other work, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Heavy Metal’s penchant for dark fantasy/sci-fi and erotica have made it a cult favourite since it appeared in stores in the 70s. It has helped introduce European talents like Enki Bilal, Milo Manara, Philippe Druillet, and Moebius to an American audience.

One of Heavy Metal’s most popular character is the sexy space siren Druuna and whether she makes an appearance in one of Cantor’s online games is something that hardcore fans of the magazine will surely await.

AsianLogic OKs Resolution in AGM

LONDON – AsianLogic (www.asianlogic.com), the publicly-traded company on London’s AIM (AIM: ALOG) engaged in online gaming in the Asian Pacific region, has released a short announcement saying that in its recent Annual General Meeting held today, all resolutions forwarded for consideration by all stakeholders have been passed.

Online Gambling on the Rise in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Despite a prevailing ban on internet betting activities, online gambing is on the rise in Singapore and it has risen ten-fold according to local publication AsiaOne.

AsiaOne reports that online betting has risen to 1%  up from 0.1% in 2005 based on a survey done by the Ministry for Community Development, Youth and Sports of about 2,300 respondents. In Singapore, it is illegal to place bets with online operators as mandated by the Betting Act and Common Gaming Houses Act and only authorized entities like Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club are allowed to take bets. However, these two entities do not offer Singaporean bettors online facilities.

Online gambling is very popular with the young and tech-savvy and popular destinations are those sites offering sports betting, casino games and poker.

Global Gaming Revenues to Hit $155B in 2012

A report by professional services firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers forecasts that global gaming revenues will surpass US$155 billion by 2012 after peaking almost US$114 billion in 2007 based on an annual growth compound rate of 6.5 percent.

The same PwC report also declared that the overall growth of global gaming will be spurred by the Asia Pacific region which has seen a spectacular 15.2 percent annual growth thanks largely to casino and gaming projects in Macau, Singapore and Thailand. It is forecasted that gaming revenues for the region will hit US$37.2 billion in 2012 comparing that figure with last year’s US$18.3 billion.

On the other hand, the US gambling market is expected to grow at four percent annually from US$60.3 billion in 2007 to about US$73.3 in 2012. PwC expects revenues to drop this year and in 2009 as travelers will lessen their trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City due to rising fuel prices.