According to the "Macau Daily News", Ed Bowers, the President of Global Development at MGM International, recently stated at the G2E Asia forum that Thailand is very likely to become the most attractive integrated resort investment destination in Asia with the gradual improvement of legislation and infrastructure, and it may even achieve an annual gaming revenue of over 10 billion US dollars in the future.
Bowers pointed out that as an emerging market, Thailand is showing strong development potential and broad business opportunities, which are expected to attract significant attention from international gaming giants. He believes that the development prospects of the Thai market are similar to those of Macau in its early days, but it also has the opportunity to follow a more diversified development path.
He used the development of Macau as an example, stating that Macau has gradually transformed from relying on VIP gaming business to expanding into multiple areas including culture, dining, and eco-tourism, significantly enhancing its overall attractiveness. This experience is valuable for reference for emerging markets like Thailand.
At the same time, Bowers also cited Singapore as a model worth learning from. He noted that Singapore's integrated resort model not only promotes tourism and employment but also effectively balances business development with social responsibility through the establishment of a mature regulatory system and responsible gaming mechanisms.
However, he also admitted that other Asian countries still face obstacles in the development of the gaming industry. For example, although the South Korean government supports the industry, restrictions on the participation of its citizens in gambling make it difficult for the industry to expand fully; Vietnam faces investor confidence issues due to local access restrictions.
Bowers also introduced MGM's latest project in Osaka, Japan. The project covers an area of over 68,000 square meters and will include facilities such as hotels, dining, and gaming. Despite facing high costs and complex regulatory procedures, he remains positive about the long-term advantages brought by Japan's geographical location and transportation network.
