Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Reopens to Tourists

The resort island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam has reopened to travelers, welcoming 200 tourists from South Korea on November 20. The visitors were not required to quarantine.

Published November 29, 2021

Experts: Japan IRs Must Cater to Locals

Japan’s coming integrated resort industry must cultivate a strong base of domestic consumers in order to truly succeed. One gaming expert said the locals market is “the most important...

Published November 29, 2021

Again, Macau Dips into Reserve Fund

The Macau government will again draw from its financial reserves due to fewer gaming taxes generated by the city’s top industry. It will address the shortfall with an additional...

Published November 29, 2021

Philippines Adds POGO to Non-Compliant List

The Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council has added Smarc Group to its list of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators that have not cooperated with compliance checks.

Published November 29, 2021

Judgment: Macau Operator Liable for Junket Debts

In a potentially precedent-setting decision, a Macau appeals court has upheld a 2018 decision that found Wynn Macau liable for half a debt owed by junket operator Dore Entertainment....

Published November 29, 2021

Macau Junket Operator Arrested

Alvin Chau (l.), the head of Macau junket operator Suncity Group, was detained last week after the Chinese government issued an arrest warrant, sending a chill through the city’s...

Published November 29, 2021

Macau Reevaluates Tourism Plan

Tourism officials in Macau have commissioned a report re-evaluating the progress and goals of the Tourism Master Plan in light of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published November 22, 2021

U.S. to Investors: Steer Clear of Cambodian Casinos

The U.S. government is warning American investors to avoid doing business in Cambodia. The country has a high risk for money laundering and other financial crimes in the country,...

Published November 22, 2021

Tourism Experts: Korean Casinos Need Proxy Bets, Blockchain

South Korean tourism experts have recommended that Jeju Island consider proxy gambling at foreigner-only casinos at hotels like the Jeju Dream Tower (l.), as well as the use of...

Published November 22, 2021

Melco Tops Off Studio City Phase 2

Last week, Melco Resorts & Entertainment has unveiled its design concept for Studio City Macau’s Phase 2 addition. The $1.3 billion expansion is expected to open in December 2022.

Published November 22, 2021

Wakayama Residents Want a Say in IR Plan

Residents of Wakayama Prefecture in Japan are asking for a referendum on plans to develop an integrated resort in the vicinity. They say their views of the proposed development...

Published November 22, 2021

Macau CE: Concessions Could Be Extended

Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng (l.) says the local government may extend the current gaming concession terms if an overhaul of gaming laws is not complete by next...

Published November 22, 2021

Genting Malaysia Tests New SkyWorlds Theme Park

Genting Malaysia has begun technical rehearsals for its SkyWorlds outdoor theme park at Resorts World Genting. The resort, located near Kuala Lumpur, is allowing employees and invited guests to...

Published November 15, 2021

Cross-Border Gambling Sting Leads to 142 Arrests

In China, authorities arrested 142 people for allegedly arranging gambling trips to Russia’s Primorye casino district. Their destination: Summit Ascent’s Tigre de Cristal (l.).

Published November 15, 2021

Singapore, Malaysia to Reopen Air Travel

Starting November 29, people from Singapore and Malaysia may travel to each other’s countries by air. The decision to reopen air borders was made due to “significant progress” fighting...

Published

Some Manila Casinos Almost at Capacity

Several casino resorts in Manila’s Entertainment City, including Solaire (l.), are now at 90 percent capacity, up from just 50 percent as the country continues to recover from Covid-19.

Published November 15, 2021

Orix, MGM to Be Equal Partners in Osaka IR

Orix Corp. and MGM Resorts International will each hold a 40 percent share of their proposed integrated resort (l.) in Osaka, Japan, with smaller shareholders making up the balance.

Published November 15, 2021

Macau CEOs in a Holding Pattern

Despite a lack of clarity on the concession retender, the CEOs of U.S. gaming companies in Macau continue to express confidence in their renewals, either next year or later...

Published November 15, 2021

Star Entertainment to Sell, Lease Back Brisbane Casino

Australia’s Star Entertainment Group has announced it will sell its Treasury Casino Hotel (l.) in Brisbane, then lease it back for 30 years from investment firm Charter Hall.

Published November 8, 2021

Macau Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Ho in Prostitution Case

Late last month, Macau’s Court of Final Appeal upheld an eight-year prison sentence for Alan Ho (l.), former director of the Hotel Lisboa, for exploitation of prostitution.

Published November 8, 2021