Thai Casinos a Long Way Off

Don’t expect a decision on casinos in Thailand for at least three years, if not longer, says lawmaker Pakornwut Udompipatsakul (l.). If and when a legal industry is approved...

Published January 23, 2023

Thai Casinos a Long Way Off

Don’t expect a decision on casinos in Thailand for at least three years, if not longer, says lawmaker Pakornwut Udompipatsakul (l.). If and when a legal industry is approved...

Published January 23, 2023

Macau: CNY Could Be Hampered by Labor Shortages

A tight labor market could put pressure on Macau resorts for Chinese New Year, a peak tourism period that could come back strong with relaxed Covid restrictions. The Year...

Published January 23, 2023

Macau Legend Strikes Satellite Deal with SJM

Macau Legend Development has confirmed its agreement with casino concessionaire SJM Holdings to run a satellite casino operation at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf (l.).

Published January 16, 2023

Macau Casinos Have More Time to Comply with EGM Regs

Macau casino operators have more than three full years to fully abide by new technical standards for slot machines. The standards were set in 2021; the deadline for compliance...

Published January 16, 2023

Cambodia Introduces Revised Tax Plan for Casinos

The Cambodian government has launched a new tax framework for casinos. It replaces the previous fixed system with a new tax on gross gaming revenues.

Published January 16, 2023

Tourism Returning to Macau

For the new year, amid a general relaxation of Covid measures, Macau set a goal of 40,000 visitors a day. Almost immediately it met its goal, with nearly that...

Published January 16, 2023

Ten Years Later, Macau Junkets Hit a New Low

The number of junket operators in Macau now stands at 36, down 85 percent from their peak year in 2013. Back then, 235 junkets brought big-spending VIP gamblers to...

Published January 16, 2023

Macau Legend Exits Junket Biz

Macau Legend has ceased its VIP junket operations after decades in the business. The business effectively closed on January 1, just as new 10-year casino concessions began in the...

Published January 9, 2023

South Korea Casinos Should Diversify Beyond Chinese VIPs

As Macau seeks to diversify its tourism base beyond Mainland China, a hospitality expert advises Jeju Island in South Korea to do the same. The island has eight large...

Published January 9, 2023

Cambodian Casino Fire Takes Steep Toll

A deadly fire last month at Cambodia’s Grand Diamond City Casino and Hotel (l.) killed at least 26 people and injured dozens more. The December 28 blaze engulfed the...

Published January 9, 2023

Will Japan IRs Be Approved This Month

Osaka MP Nobuyuki Baba (l.) says the national government along with gaming regulators will likely approve Osaka’s bid for an integrated resort this month. The only other bid under...

Published January 9, 2023

A Tough Year for Macau, But Reasons for Optimism

Last year, Macau casinos generated $5.3 billion in gaming revenues, down more than half from 2021, for the lowest total in 18 years. But the ongoing relaxation of pandemic...

Published January 9, 2023

Feds Discover CNMI Money Laundering Scheme

The FBI and IRS uncovered a money laundering scheme involving the holder of the only gaming license in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which is a U.S....

Published January 9, 2023

Osaka IR Land Lease Set at $18M/Year

The yearly land lease to be paid for an integrated resort on Yumeshima Island in Osaka, Japan has been estimated at $18.3 million per year, assuming the Japanese city’s...

Published December 26, 2022

In Japan, Tomakomai Reconsiders Integrated Resort Bid

The Japanese city of Tomakomai may pursue an integrated resort development in the next few years. An IR bid is part of the city’s public policy plan, with public...

Published December 26, 2022

Philippines: Decision Time for POGOs?

Philippine Senator Grace Poe (l.) says it’s time for lawmakers to craft a formal policy on iGaming operations given its association with crimes including kidnapping. Poe alleges that an...

Published December 26, 2022

Korean Casino to Relocate

A foreigners-only casino run by Grand Korea Leisure Co. will move from the Millennium Hilton Seoul to Seoul Dragon City, just in time for New Year’s Eve.

Published December 19, 2022

At Trial, Former Junket Runner Proclaims Innocence

Last week, former junket head Levo Chan (l.) denied that his company engaged in illegal betting at Macau casinos. Chan and eight others have also been charged with criminal...

Published December 19, 2022

Onetime Thai Gambling Consultant Gets Decades Behind Bars

A Thai court has sentenced Siapo Po-arnon (l.) to 54 years in prison for illegal gambling and money laundering. Siapo once advised a House panel on plans to legalize...

Published December 19, 2022