Plot Thickens at UnionPay

Some of China’s state-owned banks may be accomplices in billions of dollars in illegal cash transfers by mainland gamblers in Macau. UnionPay, the company that issues the popular debit...

Published June 9, 2014

DeNiro’s Out, Mourinho’s In

South Korea’s Paradise group is replacing Robert DeNiro as its advertising face with Chelsea’s famed manager Jose Mourinho. The company is in the throes of developing a $1.7 billion...

Published June 9, 2014

Macau’s ‘Disappointing’ $4 Billion May

Macau’s casinos enjoyed one of their best months ever in May, but it wasn’t enough to soothe investors who are increasingly worried that the booming market could be in...

Published June 9, 2014

Vietnamese in Sights of New Cambodia Casino

A new casino has opened on Cambodia’s border with Vietnam with plans to aggressively pursue the lucrative cross-border market. The Roxy Casino in Bavet City also will feature an...

Published June 9, 2014

New Bribery Charge Stalks Okada

One of the three ex-employees Universal Entertainment accuses of wrongdoing in a tangled Philippine bribery case has fired back with a criminal complaint accusing Universal Chairman Kazuo Okada (l.)...

Published June 9, 2014

China Cracking Down on Illegal Web Gambling

China’s nationwide anti-corruption campaign has locked onto illegal online gambling as one of its targets. Beijing is calling on local governments and police to pursue and shut down gambling...

Published June 9, 2014

Macau To Ban Smoking in Casinos

Macau’s casinos will be smoke-free come October. The ban will replace an experiment in partial restrictions that have failed to achieve the desired improvements in air quality for staff,...

Published June 2, 2014

Big Investor Drops Sands China

A major U.S. fund manager has sold its $1 billion-plus stake in Sands China in favor of an equivalent investment in parent company Las Vegas Sands. Waddell & Reed...

Published June 2, 2014

Philippines: a ‘Saturated’ Market?

Experts are wondering whether Manila’s nascent Entertainment City (l.) will grow the Philippines market in line with the sizable hopes attached to it. Solaire has fallen somewhat shy of...

Published June 2, 2014

Korea Needs Locals, Expert Warns

South Korea must open its casino industry to domestic play or risk losing out to other emerging markets in the region, says Korean gaming expert Steve Park (l.). That’s...

Published June 2, 2014

Venetian Macao Receives Sustainability Recognition

The Venetian Macao recently became the first property in Macao to receive ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System certification. The resort's Green Meeting Concierge team introduces event planners to...

Published June 2, 2014

Is Vietnam Done as Chinese Destination?

Riots in several Vietnam cities targeting Chinese nationals and businesses may spell the end of plans to target Mainland VIPs as customers for junket operators, severely impacting the business...

Published May 26, 2014

Timing Running Out on Japan Casino Bill

Pro-casino lawmakers in Japan say the window is closing on passage of a legalization bill in the current session of the Diet. The bill must pass by the end...

Published May 26, 2014

Macau Denies UnionPay Crackdown

A top Macau official has dismissed news reports that the government wants to curb the use of China’s state-backed UnionPay cards in the territory. The card has been in...

Published May 26, 2014

Universal Wins Ruling in Philippines

Kazuo Okada’s Universal Entertainment says work on its $1 billion Manila resort (l.) is moving forward after a Philippine court ruled in its favor in a dispute with former...

Published May 26, 2014

Study: Macau Casino Workers Unhappy

A new survey of Macau casino employees finds a high number are dissatisfied with their jobs and would like to quit. The problem is that gaming is the city’s...

Published May 26, 2014

Smartcard Immigration Coming to Macau

Getting to Macau from Mainland China is going to get easier with the coming introduction of electronic immigration. The system could be up and running at border crossings next...

Published May 26, 2014

Macau Locals Gambling Less

Gambling by Macau residents is down almost 10 percent from three years ago, according to a new survey. The research suggests that local interest has declined as the industry...

Published May 26, 2014

Time Running Out on Gaming in Japan

With only five weeks to go in the current legislative session, supporters are hedging their bets and say the legalization of casinos in Japan may not happen this year....

Published May 19, 2014

Big Tax Break for Manila Licensees

PAGCOR and its four Entertainment City licensees have concluded a deal to slash their gross gaming taxes. The agreement is designed to offset the government’s plan to impose corporate...

Published May 19, 2014