Okada Manila, U.S. SPAC Tangle over Merger

Okada Manila (l.) and Universal Entertainment are trying to get out of a longstanding deal to merge with U.S.-based 26 Capital Acquisition Corp. and list the merged entity on...

Published March 27, 2023

SJM to Open Versace-Branded Hotel in April

Macau casino operator SJM Holdings plans to open its Palazzo Versace hotel at Grand Lisboa Palace by the end of April, according to an estimate by SJM chair Daisy...

Published March 20, 2023

MGTO Uses Influencers to Grow Thai Tourism

Macau tourism officials hope to boost visitation from Thailand with the help of social influencers. The city is working to grow the international tourism base by offering a diversity...

Published March 20, 2023

Chinese Tourists May Now Visit Vietnam, 39 Other Countries

On March 10, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism released a list of 40 countries approved for outbound travel by the Chinese. Vietnam made the list, along with Cambodia,...

Published March 20, 2023

Melco CEO: Macau, Hengqin Should Co-Host Tourism Events

Lawrence Ho (l.), head of Macau casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment, suggests that the gaming mecca join with Hengqin Island to jointly host tourism events. Easing visa requirements...

Published March 20, 2023

Philippines Auditor Gets the Boot

The Philippine gaming regulator will fire the auditor it hired to oversee iGaming operations, and may pursue charges. Global ComRCI may have presented false credentials to get the job.

Published March 20, 2023

Macau Gaming Operators Push Sporting Events

Macau casino operators, responding to the government’s demand for more non-gaming attractions, are planning large-scale sporting events. In Singapore, meanwhile, Resorts World Sentosa will host a major golf tourney.

Published March 20, 2023

Singapore: No Crypto for Gaming

Singapore’s new Gambling Regulatory Authority is steering clear of cryptocurrency for land-based gambling, and may prohibit it for iGaming as well.

Published March 20, 2023

Setbacks Aside, Japan Still a Potentially Strong Market

Just a few years ago, analysts foresaw astronomical revenues for casino resorts in Japan. Then Covid pulled the rug out. Even so, Strategy Organization analyst Josh Swissman predicts that...

Published March 13, 2023

Cambodian Junket Denies It Will Target Chinese Gamblers

Former Macau junket operator Century Entertainment International has signed a five-year deal to operate eight gaming tables at a casino in Cambodia.

Published March 13, 2023

Only Eight Macau Junkets Now Open for Business

Only a handful of licensed junkets in Macau are now doing business, according to U Io Hung, head of the Macau Professional Association of Gaming Promoters. The government issued...

Published March 13, 2023

Billionaire Plans $1 Billion Philippines Casino

Billionaire Enrique Razon Jr. (l.), whose Bloomberry Resorts controls the Solaire Resort & Casino in Manila, is planning a second integrated resort in the country. Solaire saw a net...

Published March 13, 2023

Macau Casinos Create Foreign Gaming Zones

Melco Resorts’ City of Dreams (l.) and Sands China are the first casino concessionaires in Macau to actively dedicate space for foreign gamblers. Others will follow to get tax...

Published March 13, 2023

Leong Hotel to Host SJM Satellite Casino

Macau casino concessionaire SJM Resorts has signed a three-year satellite casino deal with Angela Leong’s L’Arc Entertainment. Leong is an executive of SJM Resorts and its parent company, SJM...

Published March 6, 2023

Onetime Macau Junket Provider Moves to Cambodia

Former Macau junket operator Century Entertainment International has signed a five-year deal to operate eight gaming tables at a new casino in Sihanoukville, Cambodia (l.).

Published March 6, 2023

Mohegan Gaming Boosts Inspire Investment

Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment has announced it could spend an additional $142 million to complete its Mohegan Inspire integrated resort in Incheon, South Korea.

Published March 6, 2023

IEC Still Plans Manila IR

Hong Kong-based International Entertainment Corp. continues to work with Philippine gaming regulators on the potential development of an integrated resort with gaming in Manila’s Entertainment City (l.).

Published March 6, 2023

FATF Grey List: Cambodia Removed, Philippines Stay Put

Cambodia has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s “grey list” of jurisdictions at greater risk for money laundering. The Philippines remain on the list.

Published March 6, 2023

Unemployment Down, GGR Way Up in Macau

In Macau, unemployment is down and GGR is soaring, thanks to the return of tourism in early January. Many casino workers, while glad to be back on the job,...

Published March 6, 2023

Venetian Macao Prepared to Welcome Global Tourists

A foreigners’ gaming zone with baccarat and English-speaking staff is ready for guests at the Venetian Macao, in a space once reserved for VIPs. Meanwhile, consultant Alidad Tash says...

Published February 27, 2023