The Macau Metro Monitor, July 6th, 2010
CHINA MINISTER: PROPERTY PRICES TO FALL IN NEXT FEW MONTHS-XINHUA WSJ
According to Xinhua News Agency, Minister of Land and Resources Xu Shaoshi said, "Home transaction volumes have declined and prices have stagnated. In about a quarter's time, the property market will probably reach a full correction and prices will fall, but it's hard to predict the extent of the price falls." The June property price data is released next week.
ELECTRIC DREAMS Inside Asian Gaming
Despite the public's aversion to electronic table games in Macau, Aruze's Lucky Sic Bo has been quite popular on the mass floors. In Singapore, electronic table games seem to have more success as suppliers such as TCS JOHNHUXLEY and Spielo reported close to 100% occupancy at its roulette terminals. According to IAG, the suppliers also noted that the Singaporean casino operators have replaced some baccarat tables with either blackjack tables, slots, or electronic gaming terminals, particularly roulette.
GAME CHANGER Inside Asian Gaming
There have been reports that suggest RWS continues to attract more VIP players than MBS. Whether this stems from loyal relationships from Genting's Malaysian property or better incentives, it remains to be seen.
TOUGH LOVE Inside Asian Gaming
According to a Macau junket source, the high GGR growth in May may be attributed to a small group of established VIP customers rolling greater amounts on the strength of a strong economy rather than new VIP customers. The source also said that junkets are very careful about which customers get credit and lending only a fraction (e.g. 25%) of what the player wants. The source said, in contrast to past times, a customer who is denied credit at one property would not be allowed credit at another property, as junkets would share information through a "Rumor Control".
MACAO DRAGON TO LAUNCH BIG BOATS; NO WORRIES FOR VENETIAN Intelligence Macau
Macao Dragon will launch two ferry boats this weekend--servicing between Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal and Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal. IM believes the new ferries' competitive prices for tour groups would allow Venetian to be more flexible in subsidizing its CotaiJet ferries. IM said CoD would also benefit from these new boats.
