NEWS & NOTES

The government of the Philippines is continuing to ease travel restrictions related to Covid-19. Unvaccinated travelers are now allowed to enter the country without the need to quarantine. However, they are still required to present a negative Covid test. ● Businessman Andrew Lo now controls more than 75 percent of LET Group Holdings Ltd, previously known Suncity Group Holdings Ltd. Lo is a former associate of Alvin Chau, the ex-junket boss now on trial for money laundering and illegal gambling. ● Hong Kong-listed NagaCorp, operator of Cambodian integrated resort NagaWorld, has launched a plan to repurchase up to US$120 million of 7.95 percent senior notes due 2024. In a filing, NagaCorp said the offer will “retire a portion of the outstanding 2024 notes prior to maturity, and enable the offeror to manage its overall funding level and reduce its gross debt and interest costs, while maintaining a prudent approach to liquidity.” ● Galaxy Entertainment Group says illegal online gambling and betting sites are using its brand to “disseminate false information” about alleged fundraising campaigns. Galaxy denied that it is linked to purported fundraisers for “Hope Primary School” and “African Child Aid.” It emphasized that it has “no affiliation with any online gambling and betting sites.” Online betting is illegal in China. ● After Star Entertainment was deemed unsuitable to hold a casino license in Queensland last month, state officials have presented show cause notices to three of its affiliates outlining potential disciplinary action. Star now has 21 days to respond to the notices, which assert that the company repeatedly prioritized “perceived business interests over compliance and the protection of the integrity of gambling.” Shannon Fentiman, Queensland attorney-general, has already confirmed that the state will implement all 12 of the recommendations set forth in the inquiry submitted in September by Robert Gotterson AO. ● Ilani Casino Resort, which is owned by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, recently opened its retail sportsbook, becoming the first sports betting facility in Clark County, Washington. Patrons can now place wagers at betting windows or self-serve kiosks, and the casino also recently opened an attached Stadium Sports Bar & Grill. Washington state first legalized tribal sports betting in March 2020, and several tribes have since unveiled it at their properties, including the Cowlitz. ● LeoVegas Group reported a year-on-year drop in revenue and a net loss during what was likely to be its final quarter before being acquired by MGM Resorts International. MGM is close to completing its purchase of LeoVegas, having first submitted a public tender offer worth $604.0 million last spring. • Inspired Entertainment will exclusively provide Betfred with fully integrated managed services for its estate of more than 1,400 betting shops in the U.K. under a new five-year contract. The contract includes installation, remote and field technology support and platform and content deployment. The cabinets will be distributed across Betfred’s betting shops throughout next year. • L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France’s gaming regulator, has announced that several operators and advertisers have signed charters pledging to cut the number of ads broadcast during the 2022 FIFA World Cup scheduled for November 20-December 18 in Qatar. They will cut the number per break from four to three. The charters’ purpose is to moderate ads during the tournament and apply to TV, radio, billboard and digital ads. They were created after a consultation on oversaturation of advertising last year. • DraftKings has had mobile wagering in Michigan since January 2021 but now opened its first brick-and-mortar location in the state at the Bay Mills Resort and Casino. It includes big screen TVs, four betting kiosks (open 24 hours a day), live in-game wagering and food and beverage service. • MGM Resorts International will build an exclusive live sports-viewing experience for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023. Packages include three-day race tickets and three-night stays at MGM properties including Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Delano, Park MGM, New York-New York, Luxor and Excalibur. “In just over a year, F1 fans from around the globe will see how Las Vegas throws a party,” said MGM Chief Commercial Officer Steve Zanella. “We will create a round-the-clock celebration worthy of this international spectacular.” In addition, MGM is building grandstands in front of the fountains at Bellagio to accommodate thousands of fans who are expected to pay in excess of $2,000 for a seat.