Asian Online Gambling Still Presents a Road Block

Communication, currency differences, cultural differences, trust...all factors that have forced even the best online gambling brands to rethink their Asian strategies. 

Bodog Life was supposed to be taking the lead in Asia.  The company's founder, Calvin Ayre, implied this week that nobody should be holding their collective breaths.

While not yet ready to bow-wow out of the Asian market, Ayre is taking a more careful and calculated approach. 

"Bodog does not have any Asian plans at this time.  We are only studying the market," Ayre told Gambling911.

The Asian market thus far has proven elusive.  Ayre has met with everyone from software providers to payment processors.  None have impressed thus far. 

This does not bode well with one enterprising company that has been watching Bodog's every move closely.

"We are especially interested in live dealer software coupled with the Asian market," said one investor in an online casino company who clearly stated his group would wait on a familiar Western company like Bodog to make the first move. 

Internet gambling conferences held in Macau in recent months have only added to the confusion. 

"Western operators were not treated warmly," a journalist sent to cover one of these affairs reported back. 

Furthermore, Marc Lesnick's Casino Affiliate Convention in Amsterdam is practically devoid of any Asian operators. 

It's not just the cultural divide but the legal ramifications.  The Chinese and Thai Governments have been cracking down severely on Internet gambling operators over the past few weeks. 

There is some good news revolving around this untapped market. 

Analyst Jon Tarasewicz of Deutsche Bank maintains his "buy" rating on Playtech Ltd, citing that software firm's introduction of an Asian P2P gaming platform in just a matter of days.

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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com

Originally published March 31, 2008 11:13 pm EST