Manila Casinos Closed Until August 20

Casinos in Manila’s Entertainment City closed down August 6 and will remain closed until at least August 20 as the Philippine capital continues under “enhanced community quarantine.”

Published August 9, 2021

Pachinko Not as Popular in Japan

Japan’s once-robust pachinko industry saw a 27 percent decrease in gross profits in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Results also were tied to declining interest in...

Published August 9, 2021

Singapore Gambling Rates Decline

Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling has found that fewer people are gambling—and they’re gambling less. The number of potential problem gamblers is unchanged.

Published August 9, 2021

Grand Lisboa Palace Opens in Macau

The last major casino resort in Macau’s Cotai district has made its grand debut—finally. SJM Holdings’ sparkling Grand Lisboa Palace opened for business July 30 during a trying time...

Published August 9, 2021

Macau Casino Operators Chip in for China Flood Relief

Macau’s six casino concessionaires have pledged $1.25 million each to help the victims of flooding in China’s Henan Province, for a collective contribution of $7.5 million.

Published August 2, 2021

Korean Casino Head Gets 3-Year Prison Term

Choi Hung-jib (l.), former CEO of Kangwon Land in South Korea’s Gangwon Province, has been sentenced to three years behind bars for his part in an illegal jobs scandal.

Published August 2, 2021

Silver Heritage Delists from ASE

Silver Heritage Group was delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange on July 23. The company had been on the rocks since revenues from the Phoenix International Club in Vietnam...

Published August 2, 2021

Altira Macau Shifts From VIP

Diminishing VIP business has prompted Melco Resorts & Entertainment to shift to premium mass at its Altira Macau (l.). Melco COO David Sisk said the plan will “take out...

Published August 2, 2021

Philippine House to OK POGO Tax Bill

The Philippine House of Representatives reportedly will approve a new bill clarifying the tax rate for Philippines Offshore Gaming Operators. The plan includes a 5 percent tax on gross...

Published August 2, 2021

Macau Finance Secretary Upbeat About Second Half

Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong (l.) says the government has not changed its projections for the year’s gross gaming revenue, and he’s confident about the...

Published August 2, 2021

South Korean Casino Opens Nongaming Attractions

The Paradise City resort in Incheon, South Korea, has reopened some non-gaming amenities including a spa and a theme park. It's an encouraging sign for the complex, which has...

Published July 26, 2021

U.S. Marshals to Seize IPI Property

The U.S. Marshals Service will seize gaming machines, computers, furniture and other assets of Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International, including the iconic crystal dragons (l.), to pay a...

Published July 26, 2021

SJM to Assume Control of Macau Diamond Casino

Macau gaming operator SJM Holdings will assume practical control of the Diamond Casino in the SAR's peninsula district. A prior management company had planned to shut the casino down.

Published July 26, 2021

IEC Planning Massive Manila Resort

Hong Kong-based International Entertainment Corp. is planning to develop an integrated resort in Manila, Philippines. According to a July 16 filing, IEC has signed a deal with regulators to...

Published July 26, 2021

Covid Resurrected in Asia

An uptick in cases of the Delta variant of Covid has caused several Pacific Rim countries to re-impose restrictions on casinos and travel. While Macau is cautiously reopening other...

Published July 26, 2021

Solaire Manila Assures Patrons of Safety

Philippines integrated resort Solaire (l.) in Manila’s Entertainment City casino district has launched a new campaign called “Solaire Is Safe For You” to assure patrons that it’s installed a...

Published July 19, 2021

Casino Proposed for Vietnam’s Van Phong Economic Zone

A provincial committee in Vietnam has submitted a plan to build a high-end entertainment tourism center with a casino in the Van Phong Economic Zone (l.), near Cam Ranh...

Published July 19, 2021

Duterte Now Approves of Gambling

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (l.) has vacillated in his views of gambling in the past, but now has declared himself in favor of the activity—however “repugnant”—as a way to...

Published July 19, 2021

Japan IR Laws, Regulations Now in Effect

Japan’s Integrated Resorts Implementation Act takes effect this week, along with the tenets of the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission. In 2016, the government approved up to three IRs in...

Published July 19, 2021

Philippine Island Again Considering Gaming?

Boracay Island in the Philippines may be considering a gaming venue as part of a larger entertainment complex. The local government has established a development authority, the first step...

Published July 12, 2021