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

Hoiana to Open in Vietnam This Year

The Hoiana casino resort in Vietnam reportedly will open in the second half of 2021. The resort staged a soft opening last June, but held back on an official...

Published February 1, 2021

Grim Year for Macau Tourism

Border closings, quarantines and travel restrictions were the story in the world’s top gaming destination for most of 2020. Official stats show that total visitation to Macau was down...

Published February 1, 2021

Philippines Collected More POGO Taxes in 2020

The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue collected P7.18 billion in taxes last year from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), despite suspensions due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

Published

Yokohama to Accept IR Bids

With the release of its "IR facility implementation policy," the city of Yokohama, Japan is preparing to field bids from potential integrated-resort operators. An operator is expected to be...

Published February 1, 2021

Thai City Split On Casino

Now that the government has said it will consider legalizing gaming, business leaders and lawmakers in Thailand are discussing legal casinos, with the city of Pattaya as a possible...

Published February 1, 2021

Mohegans Deepen Asian Bids

Connecticut-based tribal operator Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment is looking to delay the opening of its South Korean resort, Inspire (l.), from late 2022 to sometime in 2023. The property...

Published February 1, 2021

China Expands Overseas ‘Blacklist’

The Chinese government isn’t saying which jurisdictions to its blacklist of overseas gaming destinations. But it can only spell more bad news for VIP-focused markets across East and Southeast...

Published February 1, 2021

Thailand Considers Legal Gaming

Thailand is yet another nongaming jurisdiction that could take the plunge due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The country has long been considered a potentially rich market for gaming now...

Published January 25, 2021

Macau: A Plodding Start to Year of the Ox?

Macau’s casinos are hoping for major upside from China’s biggest travel season. But pandemic concerns have authorities on both sides of the border urging people to stay home.

Published January 25, 2021

China Dampens Macau’s New Year’s Hopes

Covid concerns have authorities across mainland China advising people not to travel during Chinese New Year, normally a big money-maker for Macau’s casinos. Macau officials also are urging residents...

Published January 18, 2021

More Casino Limits in Malaysia

Resorts World Genting (l.) in Genting Heights, Malaysia will once again operate under strict limitations due to a surge in Covid-19 cases. The new measures will be in effect...

Published January 18, 2021

Philippines Seek to Stem POGO Flight

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has moved to block a 5 percent franchise tax on offshore gaming operators in the country, part of its campaign to keep the...

Published January 18, 2021

Activist Investor Challenges MGM’s Control of MGM China

Snow Lake Capital, MGM China’s largest public shareholder, wants the U.S. casino giant to sell down its controlling stake in the Macau unit, saying Chinese companies are better equipped...

Published January 18, 2021

CNMI Commissioners Accuse IPI of Hoarding Cash

Gaming commissioners in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands claim that Saipan casino (l.) operator Imperial Pacific International has been amassing “receivables” but declining to share them with...

Published January 11, 2021

Millions Go Missing from South Korea Casino

South Korean police are investigating the disappearance of KRW14.56 billion (US$13.4 million) in funds held by Landing International Development, which runs a foreigners-only casino in Jeju.

Published January 11, 2021

SJM Launches New Round of Employee Bonuses

The first installment of the “living subsidy,” as Macau casino operator SJM calls it, was distributed this month. A second installment is scheduled for this summer. The payments are...

Published January 11, 2021

Vietnam Casino to Undergo Expansion

Macau junket investor Suncity Group has announced that its Vietnamese casino resort Hoiana, which opened last year, will begin Phase 2 of its development this year in hopes of...

Published January 11, 2021