Factions Struggle for Control of Okada Manila

The legal battle continues for control of the Okada Manila resort (l.) in the Philippine capital. The deposed board of its majority owner has frozen the company’s bank account...

Published June 27, 2022

Sands China: Wong Lawsuit Unrelated to Company

Sands China has issued a statement saying a lawsuit against its president, Wilfred Wong (l.), will have no impact on the company. It also says Wong will “vigorously” defend...

Published June 20, 2022

Wynn Parent Loan Seen as Bad Sign for Macau

A $500 million revolving loan to Wynn Macau from its U.S. parent is seen as a sign of ongoing weakness for Macau gaming operators. It suggests the city’s casino...

Published June 20, 2022

Okada Manila Listing Put on Pause Following Takeover

The planned listing of Okada Manila on the NASDAQ has been postponed by three months to September 30, following the takeover of the Entertainment City property by former head...

Published June 20, 2022

Does Wynn’s Shares-for-Salary Plan Breach Macau Law?

Ninety percent of Wynn Macau management has agreed to a salary cut in exchange for shares of equal value. But the plan may not comply with local law, which...

Published June 13, 2022

IMF: Philippine Casinos Still Questionable

The International Monetary Fund says the Philippine gaming industry poses “medium” risk to the country’s global standing, including Manila’s Entertainment City (l.), due to less than robust anti-money laundering...

Published June 13, 2022

Macau Casino Slump Continued in May

Macau casinos generated GGR of just $410 million in May—the second lowest total since September 2020, but up 25 percent over April. An analyst wrote that 2022 “should be...

Published June 13, 2022

Macau Finance Secretary: Satellite Casino Industry Will Survive

Macau Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong (l.) has reassured the city’s satellite casinos that, though they will have to “adjust their operations” under the new gaming...

Published June 13, 2022

Okada Settling In at Manila IR

The group backing Kazuo Okada’s takeover of the Manila integrated resort (l.) of the same name claimed it would bring the property to “new heights” even while the former...

Published June 13, 2022

Could Macau Satellites Be Performance-Based?

Last month, Macau government officials suggested that they may permit a performance-related system between casino promoters that want to run satellite casinos (l..) and concessionaires that hold the gaming...

Published June 6, 2022

Suncity Group Still Shut Out of Philippine Market

An official of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has said junket operator Suncity Group Manila is still considered unsuitable to operate in the market due to the ongoing...

Published June 6, 2022

SJM to Buy Macau Casino from Parent

Macau casino operator SJM Holdings will buy the Oceanus casino (l.) from its parent company STDM. SJM plans to return the gaming area to the local government in December,...

Published June 6, 2022

Under Covid Policy, Macau Casino Debt Piles Up

Investment analysts at Morgan Stanley say that China’s strict zero-Covid policy could result in massive debt for Macau casino operators—$25 billion by the end of this year, and even...

Published June 6, 2022

Osaka Citizens Demand Referendum on IR

There’s yet another obstacle ahead for MGM’s planned integrated resort (l.) in Osaka, Japan. In May, a coalition of citizens’ groups announced that it had collected enough signatures to...

Published June 6, 2022

Genting Seeks to Broaden Singapore Customer Base

The head of Genting Singapore says the operator is seeking to broaden the base of customers for its Resorts World Sentosa property in Singapore, to include more “casual” gamers.

Published May 30, 2022

Thai Political Group Calls for Casinos

A group of political parties in Thailand has submitted a draft amendment to the nation’s gaming law that would allow legalization of land-based and online casinos. Bangkok (l.) is...

Published May 30, 2022

Japan Opens Public Comments on Casino Licensing Standards

Starting May 19, Japan’s Casino Regulatory Commission opened a public comment period to elicit opinion on casino licensing. Criteria will include no connections to organized crime and financial...

Published May 30, 2022

Bloomberry Planning New IR in Cavite, Philippines

Philippine operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. has submitted plans for an IR project in Cavite, southwest of Manila. Construction is expected to begin once Bloomberry’s Solaire North property opens next...

Published May 30, 2022

Digital Currency Could Be a Boon for Macau

The introduction of Chinese digital currency in Macau casinos could be the catalyst for Beijing to ease up on capital controls, according to Bernstein analysts. That would be welcome...

Published May 30, 2022

Chau Indicted on Illegal Gambling, Fraud Charges

Macau officials last week indicted Alvin Chau Cheok Wa (l.) and charged him with illegal gambling, fraud and money laundering. Chau was the former leader of the junket operator,...

Published May 30, 2022