Stanley Ho wins big

The announcement was made in a press conference by co-organizers American Gaming Association, Reed Exhibition Group and Macau Business, who decided to honour the chairman of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau with this award in recognition for his founding role in the Asian gaming entertainment market.
A leader and a pioneer in international gaming, Stanley Ho was a consensual choice for the second G2E Asia Visionary Award, seen as a benchmark for identifying a remarkable personality in the Asian gaming industry.
“Dr. Stanley Ho, whose name is synonymous with the Asian gaming entertainment industry, has a long and rich history in this thriving market,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.. In the words of president and CEO of the American Gaming Association: “In truth, there probably would not be an Asian gaming industry without Stanley.”
With nearly 50 years of his life devoted to the gaming industry, in Macau and abroad, it is only natural that he would be the chosen one.
And Ho was only to happy to learn the news, as he told Macau Business: “This award affirms what I have done over the years for Macau’s gaming business and for the overall community.”  “Fulfilling my obligations to society is such a wonderful source of happiness and satisfaction,” he also said.
Reed Exhibitions Group´s vice president, Courtney Muller, co-organiser of G2E Asia, is also very pleased with this year’s winner. "We are excited about our recipient and hope that the award helps to recognise the efforts of our winner for years to come,'' said Muller.
As managing director of both the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau and Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, and chairman of the publicly listed SJM Holdings Limited in Hong Kong, Stanley Ho has been a key figure in the development of gaming in Macau.
Macau Business´ publisher, Paulo Azevedo, recognizes that this was one of the reasons behind the choice made by the three partners. “Stanley Ho laid the foundations for the vibrant industry we see today, in Macau, and he’s still going strong,” said Azevedo.

A lifetime dedication

Besides the casinos, Ho is involved in a variety of business sectors in Macau, Hong Kong and China and has played a vital part in the region’s economic development and growth.
He also serves as group executive chairman of the Hong Kong listed Shun Tak Holdings Limited and is involved with a number of business, educational and philanthropic associations.
The recipient of this year´s G2EAsia Visionary Award is the founder of STDM, which in 1962 was awarded the exclusive gaming franchise of Macau. The company carried Stanley Ho’s vision of bringing modern gaming entertainment to the city.
Among the many accomplishments of STDM during the monopoly period was the development of the Hotel and Casino Lisboa, that opened doors in 1970.
Combining gaming with lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment, this was the first integrated resort in Macau, and it remains today as one of its most recognized icons, synonymous with the territory’s tourism and entertainment industry.
Over the years, Ho, by means of his investment presence and networks in Macau, China and Portugal, has also contributed to the promotion of this city as a platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries for economic and cultural exchange.
The G2E Asia Visionary Award recognizes leaders who have contributed to the success and expansion of the thriving Asian gaming-entertainment market. Last year’s inaugural award honoured the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, founder of Genting Group.
G2E Asia is the premier gaming exhibition and conference event dedicated to the Asian gaming markets and it is scheduled for June2-4 at the CotaiExpo, at the Venetian Macau

• Stanley Ho's Bio
• Remarks from Stanley Ho
• Visionary award press release
• G2EAsia 2009
• News clipping
• G2EAsia 2008 post report