Philippines Still Fall Short of AML Protections
The Philippines remain on the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force, and must provide “strict enforcement” of anti-money laundering controls in casinos to get off the global...
ASIAN GAMING
Failed Merger Spells End of 26 Capital
U.S.-based special purpose acquisition company 26 Capital has liquidated following the collapse of a planned merger with Philippines integrated resort Okada Manila (l.).
PAGCOR Casino Sale Expected to Begin in 2025
The Philippine Department of Finance will help the country’s gaming regulator sell off its casinos. Finance Undersecretary Catherine Fong says it’s “very feasible” that the assets will be ready...
Macau Limits Junket Partnerships for 2024
Gaming regulators in Macau have decreed that citywide casino operators can partner with a maximum of 50 junket runners in 2024. It’s the latest directive in an effort to...
Japan Formally Approves Osaka IR
Osaka, Japan’s integrated resort is finally a go, with final approvals by the country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The MGM Resorts-led project will be the first...
PAGCOR Lays Out Timeline for New Slot Standards
Non-compliant slot machines now on gaming floors in the Philippines will not have to be removed or updated in accordance with the regulator’s new Technical Standards for EGMs. But...
Macau Seeks Mainland Help to Curb Illegal Money-changing
Macau Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak says the Chinese gaming hub hopes for greater cooperation with mainland security forces to put an end to “illicit money-exchange gangs.”
PAGCOR Presses Forward with Plan to Offload Casinos
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. expects that it will complete the sale of its land-based casino assets by 2025. The sale will return PAGCOR to a strictly regulatory...
Analysts Upbeat on Golden Week in Macau
Following a subdued September, JP Morgan analysts predict that Macau gaming revenues will reach pre-Covid levels for October, due in part to Golden Week celebrations.
Nepal Casinos Should Boost Anti-AML Protections
A watchdog group says Nepal casinos “should significantly enhance risk-based” oversight of casinos to guard against money laundering and terrorism financing. It cited the country’s “porous border” as a...
Macau Jockey Club Hangs on for Another Season
In welcome news for Chinese racing, the Macau Jockey Club will begin a new season starting September 29. Rumors had swirled that the facility would be forced to close...
Sluggish September in Macau
Seasonal weather has been bad news for Macau’s recovering gaming industry. The impact of Typhoon Saola, which struck September 1, briefly closed casinos and most borders and also affected...
MGM Reduces Gaming Floor Specs for Japan
Bill Hornbuckle (l.), president and CEO of MGM Resorts International, says the gaming floor at the U.S. firm’s planned integrated resort in Japan has been pared back by up...
Judge: Okada Manila Doesn’t Have to Merge with 26 Capital
A U.S. court has ruled that Philippines integrated resort Okada Manila (l.) is not obligated to complete a planned merger with 26 Capital Acquisition. The judge cited “conduct that...
MGM China Chooses Health Tourism as Investment Focus
The government of Macau may require the city’s casino concessionaires to invest more in non-gaming, depending on the rate of gaming revenue growth. MGM China would invest in health...
Saipan Gaming Operator Still Owes Millions
Imperial Pacific International, operator of a failed Saipan casino (l.), still owes $76.5 million to the local government. Lawmakers in the commonwealth suspended IPI’s license in April 2020.
Macau Gaming Crimes More than Doubled in H1
Macau saw a spike in gaming-related crimes in the first half of 2023. Data released by the government last week showed more than 400 cases, for an increase of...
Osaka IR Now Set to Open in Late 2030
The government of Osaka has confirmed that an integrated resort planned for Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay will likely open its doors in the fall of 2030. The IR...
Counterfeit Chips Used in Macau Casino Fraud
A Macau criminal ring used fake chips to steal more than $700,000 from a Cotai casino. Two men were apprehended carrying several hundred of the bogus chips. At least...
Vietnam to Increase Oversight of Casinos
The Vietnam Ministry of Finance is planning more frequent inspections of the country’s casinos to curtail patronage by “illegitimate customers” and the provision of services that are “not allowed.”
Top Podcast box
September 18-21, 2023: Tribalnet Conference & Tradeshow, Town & Country Resort, San Diego, CA. For more information visit www.tribalnetconference.com.
September 19-21, 2023: SBC Summit Barcelona, Fire De Barcelona, Montjuic. The global betting and igaming show. For more information visit https://sbcevents.com/sbc-summit-barcelona.
October 8-9, 2023: ICRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction, Venetian Expo, Las Vegas. Produced by the International Center for Responsible Gaming For more information visit https://www.icrg.org/events.
October 9-12, 2023: Global Gaming Expo, G2E is the catalyst for gaming – fostering innovation and driving growth by convening the global industry in one place to get business done. Don’t miss this all-in-one experience (Education: October 9-12 | Expo Hall: October 10-12). Venetian Expo, Las Vegas, NV. To register, visit: https://g2e2023.com/GGB
October 31-November 2, 2023: SBC Summit Latinoamerica, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL. The conference and trade show for senior executives in the Latin American betting and gaming industry. For more information visit https://sbcevents.com/en/sbc-summit-latinoamerica.
November 13-17, 2023: SIGMA Europe (Malta Week), Malta, MFCC (North Gate). Returning to its roots, SiGMA Europe attracts an international and diverse lineup of industry leaders to its annual Malta Week event, bringing a convergence of expo, conference, and networking. For more information visit sigma.world/europe.
November 22-23, 2023: BEGE, IEC, Sofia, Bulgaria. BEGE is one of the leading gaming and entertainment exhibitions in Europe. The show gathers 85+ exhibitors and over 6000 visitors from over 60 countries. Over the years, the event has gained the attention of leading companies and established itself as a preferred business venue and became meeting point for the gaming society.
For more information visit www.balkangamingexpo.com.
November 22-23, 2023: EEGS IEC, Sofia, Bulgaria. The Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) is an annual gaming conference which brings together more than 50 speakers and 300+ delegates from all over world. With hundreds of leaders and thriving companies from the land-based and online gaming industry in attendance, EEGS covers groundbreaking subjects and discussions based on the latest trends, developments, and insights. For more information visit eegamingsummit.com/.
November 22-23, 2023: iGB L!VE North America, Javits Center, New York, NY. Connecting operators, suppliers and affiliates across all iGaming sectors. For more information visit www.igblivenorthamerica.com//.
