NEWS & NOTES

Approximately 76 million face masks have been sold by the Macau government since late January. Each local resident and non-resident worker may buy 10 face masks at 8 patacas every 10 days using their Macau ID card or work permit. Observers have noted that close to 100 percent of people in Macau wear face masks in public. • Vietnamese police last month broke up an illegal online gambling operation in Hanoi that has done about $2.77 billion in business. A total of 16 people were arrested in the second major bust of the month, according to VN Express. The operation is thought to have been in business since 2018. In early May, police busted a ring worth $858 million operating out of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. It was offering online poker and unauthorized lottery. • The Navajo Department of Health had reported a total of 158 deaths from Covid-19 as of May 26, and 4,842 positive cases. During an online town hall, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said the virus has peaked among nation members, “but I can’t emphasize enough that we have to remain cautious and diligent in order to continue bringing the numbers down. We are beating the virus so let’s continue to fight strong and overcome this pandemic together.” • In the U.K., Responsible Gambling Week will soon be rebranded as Safer Gambling Week. The Betting and Gaming Council, Bingo Association and British Amusement Catering Trade Association all support the initiative, which aims to promote the ongoing awareness of and education campaign for safer gambling. The 2020 event will take place November 19-25. • Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment has delayed the filing of its quarterly report for the period ending March 31 “due to circumstances related to Covid-19,” according to a post on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website. MGE said it expects to file the report by June 29, some 45 days later than expected. • Hong Kong International Airport resumed transit flights starting June 1 after CEO Carrie Lam lifted the ban imposed March 25. The move is seen as a small relief for the region’s embattled airlines, including Cathay Pacific, which had been operating on a “skeleton” passenger flight schedule since the lockdowns were put in place. However, though airlines will be allowed to use Hong Kong as a transit hub to other countries, Hong Kong has not lifted its ban on international visitors. • Imperial Pacific International counsel Michael Dotts insists IPI has no plans to file for bankruptcy. In recent years, the Saipan casino has been dogged by lawsuits and unpaid debts and has had a hard time paying its bills, including payroll. According to Dotts, “If this were an American company, we (would have filed) already.” He added, “It could be a year before we see the business really come back.” IPI’s parent company is Hong Kong-listed Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd.