Vietnam to Strengthen EGM Regulations

The Vietnamese government has introduced new regulations for the country’s electronic gaming machine industry, including rules for side-betting, illegal iGaming and foreigners playing in local casinos, like the Corona...

Published January 10, 2022

Junkets Down, Not Necessarily Out

In December, Macau-based junket operator Suncity officially closed, the latest chapter in a VIP sector that has been declining for years but spurred by the arrest of former Suncity...

Published January 10, 2022

Kangwon Land Cuts Hours Due to Covid

Once again, Kangwon Land has made the decision to cut its hours of operation due to a spike in local Covid-19 infections. Kangwon Land is the only casino in...

Published January 3, 2022

NagaWorld Strike Has Minimal Impact on Operations

A strike at Cambodia’s NagaWorld hasn’t had much of an impact on business operations, according to resort operator NagaCorp. Workers walked out December 18 after talks with management went...

Published January 3, 2022

Macau Lawmakers Seek Help for VIP Workers

Macau lawmakers are asking the government to help people who will be left unemployed by the closure of casino VIP rooms (l.). The city’s biggest VIP junket runner, Suncity,...

Published January 3, 2022

MGM Plans 2029 Opening for Osaka IR

MGM Resorts International and Orix Corp., partners on an integrated resort project (l.) in Osaka, Japan, expect the contemporary complex to open in the fall or winter of 2029.

Published January 3, 2022

Wynn, Melco End Junkets in Macau

The blowback from the arrest of former Suncity CEO Alvin Chau continues. Two major casino companies, Wynn and Melco, last week halted doing business with the junkets that...

Published January 3, 2022

Hann Casino Resort has Soft Opening

Hann Casino Resort (l.) in the Philippines, held a soft opening on December 15. The resort is an expansion and rebranding of the former Widus Hotel and Casino resort.

Published December 20, 2021

Seoul Dragon City Wins Casino bid

The Grand Korea Leisure’s Seven Luck Casino Gangbuk Hilton (l.) will now be operated by Seoul Dragon City, a multi-hotel complex in Seoul. Grand Korea Leisure was the sole...

Published December 20, 2021

Border Restrictions with Hong Kong and Guangdong Lifted

Beijing last week dropped border restrictions between Hong Kong and Guangdong, allowing residents of both those regions to travel freely to Macau, as long as they present a health...

Published December 20, 2021

Lei Wai Nong: Re-Tendering Process on Track

Macau Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong contends that the re-tendering process for casino concessions in Macau is on track to be completed in 2022. Details will...

Published December 20, 2021

Soper Confident of MGE’s Success in South Korea

Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment’s International President Bobby Soper (l.) says it has made a special effort to make its Inspire Entertainment Resort reflect Asian sensibilities. It is being built...

Published December 20, 2021

Macau Junkets May Have Life

Reports of the demise of junkets in Macau are undoubtedly exaggerated. While the Macau government seems to be pushing for their disappearance, some analysts believe there is a place...

Published December 20, 2021

IR Debate Continues in Nagasaki

Nagasaki residents who oppose the prefecture’s plan to develop an integrated resort in Sasebo City (l.) have filed a petition asking the government to stop the process in its...

Published December 13, 2021

Deloitte Sees Macau As Center of AI, Green Development

At a recent talk on urban planning, Deloitte China Vice Chair Norman Sze said Macau should build its future on 12 global trends including green planning, smart mobility and...

Published December 13, 2021

So Long, Suncity

The crackdown on junkets in Macau has had ripple effects beyond the Chinese gaming hub. Casino operators in the Philippines and Cambodia are also examining their relationship with VIP...

Published December 13, 2021

Philippines Casino to Open December 15

The former Widus Hotel and Casino in the Philippines will have a soft opening December 15. Now the Hann Casino Resort, it will “help kick-start” the economy, says Hann...

Published December 6, 2021

Genting Dream Cruises Now at 75 Percent

Starting December 1, Genting Cruise Lines increased the capacity of its Hong Kong cruises to 75 percent, for up to 2,500 passengers per voyage. For four months, its cruises...

Published December 6, 2021

Auction of Saipan Casino Assets Postponed

The six auctions scheduled to sell off gaming assets of the Imperial Pacific International’s Imperial Palace Saipan (l.) have been postponed. This will allow IPI time to settle a...

Published December 6, 2021

Kuwana City A Latecomer to Japan IR Race

Another potential integrated resort bidder has emerged in Japan. The mayor of Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, has inquired about joining the IR race. Up to three locations will be...

Published December 6, 2021