Macau Pumps Up China Travel Bubble

In another positive step toward the casino hub’s recovery from the Covid crisis, the territory’s authorities have removed mandatory quarantines that thwarted travel from more than a dozen mainland...

Published March 1, 2021

Japan Wary of China Blacklist

As Japan gains traction on its introduction of legal casinos, one lawmaker is expressing concern that the China travel blacklist will not only hamper gaming, but tourism in general.

Published March 1, 2021

Westside City Manila Will Cost $1 Billion

Total costs for main hotel casino at the Westside City Project (l.) in Manila’s Entertainment City will amount to US$1 billion, according to Chinese investor Suncity Group Holdings Ltd.

Published February 22, 2021

Genting Malaysia Casinos Reopen

Four Genting Malaysia resorts reopened last week: Resorts World Genting (l.) and Resorts World Awana on February 16, followed by Resorts World Kijal and Langkawi on February 19.

Published February 22, 2021

Korean Locals Casino Reopens

Kangwon Land (l.), the only South Korean casino open to locals, reopened February 15 as its host province eased Covid-19 restrictions. It had been closed since December 8.

Published February 22, 2021

Mohegans to Jumpstart Korean Venture Soon

U.S.-based tribal operator Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment says it’s close to funding its South Korean integrated resort, Inspire (l.), and will resume construction within three months.

Published February 22, 2021

When Will Osaka IR Open?

Officials in Osaka, Japan have given up trying to pinpoint when an integrated resort in the region could open. Osaka originally pushed for an accelerated timeline, and an IR...

Published February 22, 2021

Genting Singapore: VIP Won’t Fully Recover

Genting Singapore Ltd., operator of Resorts World Sentosa (l.), predicts that Covid-19 and Beijing’s crackdown on “cross-border gambling” will unravel its high roller segment for good.

Published February 22, 2021

Okada Manila Operator Seeks U.S. Investors

Universal Entertainment, which operates Okada Manila (l.), is planning to list the holding company for its Philippines integrated resort business on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq.

Published February 22, 2021

Macau’s CNY Disappoints, As Expected

Macau would have settled for daily arrivals of 20,000 to 30,000 during its Chinese New Year celebration. But in the first five days of the normally lucrative holiday, the...

Published February 22, 2021

Smartkarma’s Klein Backs NagaCorp

Independent Smartkarma analyst Howard J. Klein (l.) has issued a “buy” recommendation on the stock of Cambodian operator NagaCorp, citing superior performance through the pandemic.

Published February 15, 2021

Covid Vaccine Arrives in Macau

In Macau, an initial shipment of 100,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine are being administered to healthcare workers and others in high-risk occupations. Another 300,000 doses are slated to...

Published February 15, 2021

Fifth Contender Named for Nagasaki IR

A fifth bidder for an integrated resort in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan has been identified: it’s a consortium comprising the Niki of Japan and Chyau Fwu (Parkview) Group.

Published February 15, 2021

China to Gamblers, Junkets: Behave

Ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, Chinese authorities drove home the message that anyone involved in gambling inside the mainland and anyone who recruits Chinese citizens to gamble...

Published February 15, 2021

Saipan Operator Needs More Time to Pay Workers

Beleaguered casino operator Imperial Pacific International, which runs the sole casino resort on the Pacific island of Saipan, has asked U.S. officials to give it more time to pay...

Published February 8, 2021

Can Korean Operator Reclaim Stolen Millions?

A news report suggests that Landing International may not be able to reclaim millions reportedly stolen by a onetime employee at its South Korea casino—even if that employee and...

Published February 8, 2021

Genting Sells Off Macau Resort Stake

Genting Hong Kong Ltd. has sold its stake in a five-star integrated resort project under development on Nam Vam Lake (l.), Macau. The complex, set for completion in June...

Published February 8, 2021

Macau Revenues Pick Up Steam

January gaming win in Macau hit US$1 billion, still far below pre-pandemic levels, but the result was better than December’s and was achieved despite new Covid-related travel restrictions in...

Published February 8, 2021

Singapore IRs Relying on Locals

In the Covid-19 age, local patrons have become a lifeline for Singapore’s two integrated resorts, Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands (l.). And those patrons have remained loyal,...

Published February 8, 2021

Macau Operator SJM Floats $991M in New Debt

Macau casino operator SJM is selling two series of notes with the aim of refinancing loans that went into the development of the US$5 billion Grand Lisboa Palace. The...

Published February 1, 2021