Philippine Gaming to Benefit from Beijing Alliance

The warming relationship between the governments of Beijing and Manila could spell big gains for the Philippine gaming industry, say pundits. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (l.) last week embraced...

Published October 24, 2016

Saipan Commissioners Vet Junkets

Saipan Island’s Commonwealth Casino Commission is weighing the applications of junket operators who want to bring VIP players to the Best Sunshine and Imperial Pacific gaming halls. Casino Commission...

Published October 24, 2016

Cambodian Casino Taxes Up 36 Percent

Cambodia’s casinos generated US$37.4 million in taxes for the first nine months of 2016, up more than 35 percent for the first three quarters of 2015. The taxman took...

Published October 24, 2016

PhilWeb Applies for License Renewal

Philippines-listed Philweb Corp. has applied for a renewal of its license to operate internet cafes in the country. Earlier this year, the state regulator declined to renew the license...

Published October 24, 2016

‘Gambling Dens’ in Kuala Lumpur Mall

A report says “illicit,” “blatant,” syndicate-run mini-casinos are operating outside the law in shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. The casinos are thinly disguised as internet cafes or beauty outlets,...

Published October 24, 2016

Li Visit a Plus for Macau

Analysts expected a recent visit from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (l.) to Macau would be a negative that would send VIPs running. By most accounts the visit was a...

Published October 17, 2016

Taiwan’s Penghu Rejects Casinos

Penghu County off the coast of Taiwan overwhelmingly rejected legalizing casinos for the second time. Voters in Penghy turned down casinos by a 4-1 margin. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen...

Published October 17, 2016

Death of Thai Monarch May Re-Ignite Gaming Debate

When Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej (l.) died last week at the age of 88, following a 70-year reign, the impact on the country will be huge. But could it...

Published October 17, 2016

Okada Manila to Open in December

Kazuo Okada’s Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment has announced its Entertainment City casino will open by the end of 2016. Okada Manila (l.) is the third and largest resort...

Published October 17, 2016

Donaco Takes Over Star Floor in Cambodia

Asian gaming operator Donaco International Ltd. has assumed management of a new gaming floor at Star Paradise, a property next to its Star Vegas Resort and Club (l.) in...

Published October 17, 2016

Casino on the Krishna?

Casino developers are looking at Andhra Pradesh (l.) on India’s southeastern coast as a possible gaming jurisdiction. Six operators have already pitched proposals to the state, which could join...

Published October 17, 2016

Ongpin Unloads PhilWeb

Former PhilWeb Chairman Roberto Ongpin (l.) has sold his stake in the Philippines e-Gaming company to Gregorio Araneta III for P2 billion (US$41.4 million). The company’s license was not...

Published October 17, 2016

Kangwon Land Could Ban Addicted Gamblers

Kangwon Land (l.), the only casino in South Korea that permits South Korean nationals to enter and gamble, has announced it will tighten its entry requirements to weed out...

Published October 17, 2016

Casinos On Again In Japan?

Is Japan’s on-again, off-again casino bill back on? According to reports, a group of lawmakers have confirmed a plan that could have the legislation passed during the current Diet...

Published October 10, 2016

Macau Bounces Back

Gaming revenues in Macau exceeded expectations for September as new resorts on the Cotai Strip brought back the players. GGR was up 7.4 percent for the month, totaling MOP18.4...

Published October 10, 2016

GGAM Wins Arbitration v. Bloomberry

A Singapore arbitration tribunal has ruled that casino management company Global Gaming Philippines, led by former Las Vegas Sands President Bill Weidner (l.), was unfairly forced out of its...

Published October 10, 2016

Paradise Posts Big YOY Growth

South Korea’s Paradise Co. Ltd. reports that table game sales were up 21.7 percent for September. With gaming machine revenues down 7.8 percent, that meant an overall boost in...

Published October 10, 2016

Genting Malaysia Sells Cruise Line Stake

Genting Malaysia has unloaded its 16.87 percent stake in a sister company, cruise line operator Genting Hong Kong, for about $415 million, at the lowest permissible price. The buyer...

Published October 10, 2016

Sanum v. Laos: The Battle Continues

The former owner of the Savan Vegas Hotel and Casino (l.) in Laos continues to challenge a sale of the property. Sanum Investments of Macau just scored a win...

Published October 10, 2016

Macau on the Upswing

The embattled jurisdiction is heading for a year-on-year bump in gross gaming revenue for the most recent month, say analysts. When the September tally is in, Macau could realize...

Published October 3, 2016