EGA's Cambodian casino ‘on track’

[iNTERGAME]

Entertainment Gaming Asia will complete its casino development in the Pailin province of Cambodia in the second quarter of this year, the company has confirmed.

The initial $2.4m phase of the project, which is located close to the border with Thailand, will consist of a casino – Dreamworld Casino Pailin – with approximately 23 table games and 40 electronic gaming machine seats.

The Dreamworld Casino is one of the company’s first casino development projects and forms part of its strategy to expand its gaming operations beyond providing gaming machines on a participation basis and become a leading owner and operator of gaming facilities.

“We are pleased with our progress to date on this exciting casino project, which we believe is strategically located in the attractive and growing gaming market of Pailin at the Thailand border,” said chairman and CEO Clarence Chung. “This project is an incremental step in our casino development strategy and offers the potential for near-term earnings and long-term growth.” Entertainment Gaming Asia, formally Elixir Gaming, has secured two additional casino projects in Cambodia located near the border with Vietnam in the provinces of Kampot and Takeo.

Gaming firm reveals plans for project in Sihanoukville

[PHNOM PENH POST]

Queenco Leisure International Ltd plans to open the second phase of its Sihanoukville resort in early 2013, including a 200-suite hotel and casino, a company official said yesterday.

Queenco took over the Holiday Palace in Sihanoukville in 2010 to renovate and expand the property, the Post reported at the time.

The first phase opened on December 30, comprising a 60-room hotel and casino equipped with 130 slot machines, according to Queenco founder and main shareholder Yigal Ailkha. A high-end Asian restaurant was expected to open within a month, he said.

Phase two will include the 200 suites, a casino with 50 games tables and 350 slot machines, a convention centre, pool area, health club and spa, he said, and will be complete early next year. Yigal Zilkha plans to finish the entire renovation in 2014.

Zilkha told the Post via email yesterday that the government’s “warm welcoming” of foreign investors, in addition to the activation of commercial flights to Sihanouk International Airport, has made Queenco confident that there will be demand for such an ambitious project.

Sihanoukville hotel and casino re-opens

[PHNOM PENH POST]

Queenco Leisure International Ltd has launched the first phase of its US$30 million hotel and casino project in Sihanoukville, according to industry trade publication InterGame Online.

On December 31, Queenco opened a 60-room hotel and adjoining casino equipped with 130 slot machines, gaming tables and a health spa, according to InterGame.

The company, which holds a 70 per cent stake in the project and is listed in both London and Tel Aviv, took over the Holiday Palace in 2010 to renovate and expand the property, the Post previously reported.

Queenco also purchased 9 hectares of undeveloped beachfront property in 2008 for $10 million, and as of 2010 planned to begin development towards the end of 2011, the Post reported.

Queenco management could not be reached for comment on the opening or the land development.

Tax revenues from casinos climb 25 per cent in 2011

[PHNOM PENH POST]

The Kingdom’s 27 casinos are set to generate about US$20 million in tax revenue for the government in 2011, a 25 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

At least one government official, however, said the lack of a regulatory regime for the casino industry prevented Cambodia collecting many times that amount.

That $20 million target was in line with estimates at the beginning of the year, May Vann, director of the ministry’s Department of Industry and Finance, said yesterday.

Year-on-year revenues jumped 23 per cent in 2010, reaching $16 million, according to MEF data.

May Vann credited the growth to Cambodia’s burgeoning tourism industry and an expansion in some  economies, including that of the Kingdom. Consumers had become more confident in their spending as a result, he said.

Queenco involved in hotel and casino project in Cambodia

[StockMarketWire.com]

Queenco Leisure International, a developer, owner and operator of casinos and resorts, has signed a joint venture agreement in Cambodia.

It will involve a local partner and has been formed for the carrying out of hotel, casino, as well as other associated businesses at the Holiday Palace Hotel in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

The first stage of the project, which is comprised of the opening of a casino with 130 gaming machines as well as a 60 room hotel which is adjacent to the existing hotel, will begin within a month.

The second stage will be to renovate, improve and extend the existing hotel and open another casino.

Queenco will hold indirectly, through subsidiaries, 70% of the venture.

1st Fashion Week kicks off in Cambodia

[China.org.cn]

More pictures here >>

Cambodia on Friday evening launched the first ever Fashion Week 2011, aimed at boosting the country's fledgling fashion industry, said Ellen Jones, the event' s public relation manager.

The Cambodia Fashion Week 2011, running until Saturday next week, would highlight global fashion trends, featuring international and national designers and introducing up and coming designers from Cambodia and across the region, providing designers with opportunities to network with buyers and potential investors, she said.

The event includes invitation-only runway shows, exclusive parties, a fashion exhibition and more, at selected venues across Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.

Ice City Skating Rink open in Phnom Penh

[BOGARTIER]

Ice City Skating Rink is the only white skating floor similar to “ice” skating sport opened in Cambodia, and this sporting recreation is available at Phnom Penh’s Savanna Mall, while the city so far contains only three wield-skating rinks.

“It is not the real ice floor, but the white plastic similar to ice, because we can’t afford having ice floor, but the skates are definitely the one used for ice ground,” Borith Khy, 28, owner of the Ice City Skating Rink said. Adding, “In hot country like Cambodia, ice floor can’t be afforded, because there will be vast expense on electricity consumption to keep the floor cold, otherwise it will evaporate.”
He add, but white skating floor is the latest technologies that he bought from US, and country like Singapore, Vietnam, US, Dubai, Mexico, Paris have replaced real ice floor to this white plastic floor as it is easier to use, and less expensive.

Casino tax revenues to reach $20m in 2011

[PHNOM PENH POST]

State coffers are expected to see a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in tax revenues from casinos in 2011, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The Kingdom’s 27 casinos could contribute about US$20 million in taxes this year, up from $16 million in 2010, Mey Vann, the ministry’s director of the department of industry and finance, said yesterday.

“We’re focusing on developing the casino industry along our borders … and we will continue increasing casino tax revenue by 10 to 15 per cent per year,” Mey Vann said.

BabyFirst Expands To Indonesia And Cambodia

[Media Research Asia]

Leading Cable and Satellite Platforms NexMedia, AORA, Megamedia and CEPCO Launch 24/7 Commercial-free Child Development Channel

LOS ANGELES, CA - BabyFirst, the US-based 24/7 commercial-free educational channel for babies, distributed in Asia by HBO, has expanded its global footprint to include leading operators NexMedia, AORA and Megamedia in Indonesia; and CEPCO in Cambodia. Each of the four platforms are offering the linear channel as part of their basic or kids and family packages.

"With the help of our great distribution partners at HBO Asia, we are thrilled to launch in Indonesia and Cambodia - both important countries for us in the Asian market," said Guy Oranim, CEO of BabyFirst. "We have seen a steady increase in demand from the region for the BabyFirstTV channel as well as for our mobile products. We're happy to be able to answer the needs of families and provide a safe, fun and educational environment for their young children."

NagaWorld(R) Casino in Cambodia Chooses Bally System Solutions

[MARKET WATCH]

LAS VEGAS, Sep 28, 2011 -- Bally Technologies, Inc. BYI -0.11% , a leader in slots, video machines, casino-management, mobile and interactive applications, and networked systems for the global gaming industry, today announced that the NagaWorld Casino in Phnom Penh, Cambodia selected Bally systems solutions for their recent casino expansion.

Bally is providing cutting-edge solutions for the casino resort located in the capital city of Cambodia. After an extensive evaluation process in which NagaWorld considered several systems providers, they selected Bally's CMP(TM) player-tracking system and promotions solutions; iVIEW(TM) player-user-interface displays; and TableView(TM) real-time automated table tracking and management solutions to manage NagaWorld's new casino expansion.

Cambodia’s first truly local spa opens its doors

[eTravel Blackboard]

Rampha Spa, Cambodia’s first truly local day spa, officially opens its doors this month and welcomes all spa aficionados in the country and from overseas to pamper themselves in its world-class spa treatments - enhanced by Pevonia Botanica organic skincare products - at local prices.

In the epic tales from Hindu-Buddhist literature, Rampha was queen of the Apsarases and her movements are immortalised in the temples of Angkor and now in the logo of our spa. At Rampha Spa, graceful Khmer hands will massage and pamper guests with a range of therapies old and new, from the east and west, enhanced by Pevonia Botanica’s extensive selection of organic skincare products in its body scrub and wrap and facial therapies. Pevonia Botanica is an elite organic skincare brand used in the world's best spas.

Halt of All Kinds of Wine Advertising at Public Places

[XINHUA]

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- Cambodia began to ban all advertisements of alcohol drinks in public with an aim to reduce the alarming rate of traffic accidents that were merely caused by drunk drivers, according to a new notice received Wednesday.

When the notice sent out to all entrepreneurs, owners and distributors of all alcohol drinks on Sept. 20, Kep Chutema, governor of Phnom Penh said drunk drivers often caused traffic accidents, the loss of lives as well as the damaging of public properties, therefore, advertisements on alcohol of all kinds in public places must be stopped.

"From today onward, owners of producing or distributing companies including advertising companies must stop activities of all kinds of alcohol advertising at the public places in Phnom Penh," Kep Chutema said.

And he warned that, after the end of this year, on those "who will not abide by this instruction, the competent authorities will take actions by removing those alcohol-related advertising without bearing any responsibility."

Spice Digital leaves imprint in the Kingdom of Cambodia

[BUSINESS STANDARD]

Spice Digital Limited, one of India’s leading MVAS (Mobile Value Added Services) companies, announced the launch of their two most winning services- Mobile Radio and Voice Chat, in the Kingdom of Cambodia, today. This is yet another successful venture into the international space by Spice Digital. With close to 25 mobile networks across the globe and an unbeatable presence in SAARC, APAC and MEA markets, Spice Digital’s foray into the Kingdom of Cambodia now establishes it as the future Mobile Internet Organization.

For both, Mobile Radio and Voice Chat services, Spice Digital has partnered Hang Meas, Cambodia’s fastest growing media production company for the Content development, in association with Metfone - Viettel, the leading telecom operator in Cambodia.

Pirates blasted at Legend Cinema grand opening

[PHNOM PENH POST]

Legend Cinema grand opening

Legend Cinema was officially launched last Saturday, with a ribbon-cutting and Avatar-watching ceremony attended by Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, Khim Sarith, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and So Mara, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism.

Though the cinema has been screening Hollywood films for a couple of months now, the launch was the official pinch-in-the-arm moment needed to remind Phnom Penhites that watching international movies in a theatre with popcorn, rather than bootlegged Russian knock-offs on a laptop, was not just a glorious dream.

Thais flock to Cambodia on casino crackdown fears

[THE STRAITS TIMES]

Gamblers fearful of a crackdown on illegal gambling dens in Bangkok have been making their way to Cambodian casinos over the past two days, the Bangkok Post reported yesterday.

Thais have been arriving by the busload at border checkpoints in Sa Kaeo and Surin provinces, seeking to cross into Cambodia. There are 10 casinos opposite Sa Kaeo, and two opposite Surin, the report said.

The exodus of gamblers comes on the heels of an announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung last week that he would get tough on more than 40 illicit casinos operating in central Bangkok.

Mr Chalerm's announcement in turn followed Rak Prathet Thai leader Chuwit Kamolvisit's revelation that senior police officers owned gambling dens in Bangkok. The lawmaker had showed a video clip in Parliament purportedly recorded at an illegal casino in the heart of the capital.

Announcing the clampdown last week, Mr Chalerm said he had spent more than a year gathering information on casinos while his party was in the opposition until its election win last month.

Cambodia Becoming Asia’s Newest Casino Gambling Destination

[BlackJackChamp.com]

Cambodia is currently one of the hottest markets for casino developers in Asia, as mega-casino development projects are on the rise.

Cambodia is a budding democracy with a population of eight million and has one of the fastest growing casino tourism industries in the world.

According to casino gambling news, last year, Cambodia begun regulating its casino industry, closing down thousands of questionable operations and licensing only those who’ve passed the government benchmark.

Cambodian Primer Minister Samdech Hun Sen, has so far done an admirable job of balancing the needs for infrastructure development required by all modern nations while at the same time ensuring that revenues are directed towards health and education projects benefitting local villages and towns.

Cambodia shares borders with Vietnam on the east and Thailand on the west. Thailand prohibits all forms of gambling within their borders for its 68 million citizens and frequently sentences arrested home game players to lengthy prison terms.

Malaysian makes Cambodia world's first all-digital cinema country

[PHNOM PENH POST]

With the smell of fresh popcorn in the air, Malaysian cinema entrepreneur Michael Chai brings out a small plastic box with a handle and pops it open. Inside is what looks like a computer hard drive. On it is the movie Cars 2, which premiers tonight at Legend Cinema on the fourth floor of the City Mall on Monireth Boulevard adjacent to Olympic Stadium.

No longer do movie houses have to run celluloid film through projectors.  Now comes the all-digital era. The movies on the hard drive come as an encrypted Digital Content Package.

“Later on we get a special file that unlocks it and allows us to screen it,” Chai said.

Movie premiers are only open to invited guests and usually the general public comes the following day, or anytime during the run of the movie. However, Chai is generous with premier tickets for supporters, reviewers and business associates.

Should nightclubs be banned near schools and universities?

[PHNOM PENH POST]

THE growing number of young people in Cambodia has drawn strong interest from many businesspeople. Because of strong competit-ion in the battle for target audiences, businesspeople believe entertainment places could be a marketing strategy to target young people.

After seeing this significant interest, the number of entertainment places in Phnom Penh, especially nightclubs, has been growing rapidly. But it’s worth noting that some of these nightclubs are located near places of study that generate human resources that are crucial for our nation’s development.

If you travel past some schools and universities in Phnom Penh, you will see that several nightclubs are built close to study places. Those nightclubs  include Rock, Spark, DJ Club, Andry Khmout, The Best, The Classic, Café Disco and My House.

China Radio International launches broadcasting in Cambodia province

[XINHUA]

PHNOM PENH -- China Radio International (CRI) on Monday launched the second Cambodia-China Friendship Radio FM 105 Mega Herz in Cambodia's Siem Reap province, according to a press release from the broadcaster.

"The launch of the radio FM 105 in Siem Reap province is to make closer traditional cooperation between the peoples of Cambodia and China," it said. "It is a new cooperation between Cambodia and China on broadcasting services."

The radio will be on air from 06:00 to 24: 00 (local time) every day. It broadcasts in the languages of Khmer, Chinese and English.

The radio's programs include news, current affairs, music, and features on politics, economy, culture, science and technology.

In December 2008, to mark the 50th anniversary of Cambodia- China diplomatic ties, the CRI launched a Cambodia-China Friendship Radio 96.5 Mega Herz in Phnom Penh, broadcasting from Beijing.

Siem Reap is located in Northwest of Cambodia, some 315 kilometers away from Phnom Penh. It houses Angkor Wat temples, one of the World Heritage Sites.

NagaCorp: 118% Surge in Net Profit to US$45.9 Million

[Irasia.com] 

Hong Kong, August 9, 2011 - NagaCorp Ltd. ("NagaCorp" or the "Group", SEHK stock code: 3918), the largest integrated entertainment hotel complex in Cambodia, announced today that it achieved a record-breaking 118% increase in net profit for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

1. 65% increase in revenue: Revenue increased 65% to approximately US$111.8 million for the six months ended 30 June 2011, from approximately US$67.8 million for the same period in 2010.
2. Gross profit increased by 59%: The Group increased gross profit by 59% to approximately US$79.9 million. Gross profit margins were 71.5% for the first six months of 2011, and 74.2% for the first six months of 2010.
3. EBITDA reached US$55.5 million, an increase of 84%: EBITDA increased by 84% to US$55.5 million, from US$30.1 million for the same period in 2010. EBITDA margin for the first six months of 2011 was 50%, the highest level since the Group's IPO in 2006, and higher than some key casinos in Macau.