Asia Entertainment & Resources Ltd. Announces Rolling Chip Turnover of US$1.53 Billion for March 2013

HONG KONG–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Asia Entertainment & Resources Ltd. (“AERL”) (NAS: AERL) , which operates through its subsidiaries and related promoter companies that act as VIP room gaming promoters, today announced unaudited Rolling Chip Turnover (as defined below) for the month of March 2013 at the company’s VIP rooms in Macau was US$1.53 billion, down 13% year-over-year, compared to US$1.77 billion for the month of March 2012. This compares with a year-over-year increase in overall gross gaming revenue for Macau of 25% for March 2013. Win rate for the month of March 2013 was 2.19%.

For the first three months of 2013, AERL’s Rolling Chip Turnover was US$4.08 billion (an average of $1.36 billion per month), down 24% year-over-year, compared to US$5.38 billion (an average of $1.79 billion per month) for the first three months of 2012. Macau gross gaming revenue increased 15% for the first three months of 2013.

Rolling Chip Turnover for March 2013 improved 19.5% on a sequential basis compared to the $1.28 billion per month average for the first two months of 2013. Furthermore, Rolling Chip Turnover for the fourth quarter of 2012 averaged $1.34 billion per month, further indicating an improving trend from the trailing five month average.

The decline in Rolling Chip Turnover was attributable to the Company’s self-directed tightening of credit to agents due to its conservative view on the Chinese economy.

The Company’s VIP rooms are primarily focused on high stakes baccarat. Baccarat accounts for approximately 88% of total Macau casino winnings according to the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). In Macau, two remuneration methods are used to compensate VIP room gaming promoters. On a fixed commission basis, VIP room gaming promoter revenues are based on an agreed percentage of Rolling Chip Turnover. On a win/loss split basis, the VIP room gaming promoter receives an agreed percentage of the “win” in the VIP gaming room (plus certain incentive allowances), and is required to also bear the same percentage of losses that might be incurred. Compared to the fixed commission basis, the win/loss split basis subjects the VIP room gaming promoter to the risk of losses from the gaming patron’s activity and greater volatility.

As of September 1, 2012, all AERL VIP rooms are on a revenue sharing remuneration model.

Definition of Rolling Chip Turnover
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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance