NEWS & NOTES

Mainland Chinese police cracked more than 37,000 cases of cross-border gambling in 2022, according to China’s Ministry of Public Security. Law enforcement broke up more than 2,600 alleged online gambling platforms and more than 1,100 casinos as well as in excess of 2,500 allegedly illegal payment platforms and underground banks. The government said it would “intensify” its crackdown on illegal betting “to create a healthy social atmosphere.” ● Grand Korea Leisure Co., an operator of foreigner-only casinos in South Korea, will reduce the size of its China marketing team and cut its Japan liaison offices by one-third. An announcement attributed the cuts to “the Greater China market’s prolonged slump” and China’s crackdown on cross-border gambling by its citizens. ● The Philippine Department of Transportation may reinstate Covid testing and control measures on inbound travelers from China due to the rapid rise in infections in the latter country. An official said the Philippines don’t want “any disruption” in tourism, as “a possible resurgence of the virus may set us back.” ● Macau casino operator Sands China Ltd. will pay a “discretionary allowance” equal to one month’s salary to more than 23,000 eligible full-time workers this month. The payment will be made “in gratitude of team members’ dedication and contributions in 2022,” said the firm in a press release. In addition, Wynn Macau Ltd. has also announced a special allowance for eligible staff at its SAR properties, Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace. The bonus will equal one month’s gross salary and be distributed to 98 percent of the company’s 11,600-person workforce. The removal of pandemic travel restrictions has Wynn Macau “optimistic about our prospects in 2023,” said Vice Chairwoman Linda Chen. ● Reno-based Tolles Development Co. will look to begin construction sometime in the middle of 2023 on a sprawling industrial complex in Jean, Nevada, an outpost about 25 miles outside of Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In total, the complex is expected to be around 3 million square feet across multiple buildings. Tolles purchased the majority of the land for the complex from the Herbst family, owners of the Terrible Herbst gas station franchise, and a shuttered Terrible’s hotel-casino that sits on the land is expected to be demolished to make way for the complex. • Glücksspielbehörde (GGL), Germany’s new federal gaming regulator, has issued licenses to SkillOnNet and Bet-at-home to provide online slot games. They join Tipico, Rootz, Solar Operations and Crazy Buzzer in being licensed in the new German market. SkillOnNet says it will focus on its German brand, DrueckGlueck.de. Bet-at-home, a French company, says it plans to “now create complete legal and planning security for the group, their investors and business partners in Germany,” according to Chairman Marco Falchetto. • Azul Destinations and Calypso Cove Destinations broke ground December 20 for a $250 million cruise port development on South Long Island, Nassau, Bahamas. The partners have committed to build the Calypso Cove resort, which will include a 200-room hotel, 18-hole golf course, casino, waterpark and marinas that can accommodate huge luxury yachts. Carlos Torres de Navarra, principal of Azul Destinations, declared, “For our project Calypso Cove will be the first destination where you can say all the boxes are going to be checked off and not just for the benefit of one cruise line but for the entire cruise industry.”