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...

Published September 18, 2023

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...

Published September 18, 2023

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...

Published September 18, 2023

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...

Published September 11, 2023

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.

Published September 11, 2023

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...

Published September 11, 2023

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...

Published September 11, 2023

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...

Published September 4, 2023

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.”

Published September 4, 2023

Osaka Plans Rail Line to Future IR Site

A rapid transit operator has applied to operate a two-mile rail line to Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay, site of a planned integrated resort and casino. The man-made island...

Published September 4, 2023

Malaysian Slot Distributor Denies Improprieties

Malaysian slot distributor RGB International Bhd has denied funneling millions in contributions to political campaigns or holding ownership stakes in slot clubs in the country.

Published September 4, 2023

Is Macau Unduly Tapping Concessionaires for Investment?

A Macau casino executive says the local government may be asking too much of the city’s gaming concessionaires, who are required to spend millions on non-gaming attractions over the...

Published September 4, 2023

Macau Jockey Club At the Finish Line?

Asian media report that the Macau Jockey Club could shut down soon. Club Chair Angela Leong reportedly has been asked to explain the venue’s failure to upgrade its facilities...

Published August 28, 2023

No Proxy Bets on Jeju Island

Jeju, South Korea will not introduce proxy betting in its foreigners-only casinos, due to lack of interest and the potential for diplomatic conflict. Still under discussion: whether the island...

Published August 28, 2023

Junket Shuts Down in Philippines; Denies Link to Singapore Arrests

A Hong Kong-based junket, which abruptly closed shop in the Philippines on August 15, denies that the shutdown is related to arrests for alleged money laundering in Singapore.

Published August 28, 2023

Macau Concessionaire Paying Millions to Carry Ex-Employees

Macau gaming operator SJM Holdings continues to pay 2,000-plus former staffers despite the closure of the satellite casinos where they worked. The local government requires operators to keep those...

Published August 28, 2023

MBS Expansion Costs on the Rise

The Las Vegas Sands Corp. expects that the expansion of its Marina Bay Sands resort (l.) in Singapore will “materially exceed” the previously stated $3.32 billion.

Published August 28, 2023

VIP Group to Partner in Villar’s Philippine Casino

The Dowinn Group will partner with Philippine billionaire Manuel Villar Jr. (l.) to develop and operate a pair of casinos in Metro Manila. The Korea-based company operates VIP clubs...

Published August 28, 2023

VIP Gamblers Lead Macau Rebound

A note from Morgan Stanley analysts says high rollers are currently leading the Macau recovery, with the city’s premium mass segment edging out grind mass. VIPs are now wagering...

Published August 28, 2023

In 2022, China Group Identified 60K Suspicious Gambling Transactions

The Payment and Clearing Association of China says it intercepted some 60,000 gambling attempts involving more than $277 million in 2022, as well as 54 companies accepting such transactions.

Published August 21, 2023