Russian Casino Begins Soft Opening

Shambala casino (l.), the second casino in Russia’s Primorye gaming zone, has begun a soft opening. Shambala casino is looking ahead at a grand opening later this year.

Published October 12, 2020

Japan Delays One Year

Due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, the Japanese government has delayed the application process for up to one year. Some cities have already decided to push it back, but this...

Published October 12, 2020

Macau: Casino Licenses Will Be Re-Bid on Time

Macau Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong (l.) has dismissed speculation that a re-tendering of the six gaming concessions will be pushed past their statutory expiration...

Published October 12, 2020

Junket Acquires Dominant Stake in Macau Casino Operator

David Chow (l.), founder of Macau Legend Development, has sold most of his shares in the Hong Kong-listed company. Levo Chan, chief executive of junket operator Tak Chun Group,...

Published september 28, 2020

Philippine Casino Operator Party in Bangladesh Suit

Philippine casino operator Bloomberry Resorts & Hotels Inc., which operates the Solaire Resort & Casino (l.) in Manila, has received a summons related to a civil case filed by...

Published september 28, 2020

U.S. Sanctions Cambodian Casino Developer

The U.S. government has announced that it has blacklisted a Chinese company, Union Development Group, which is building a US$3.8 billion casino resort complex (l.) in Cambodia.

Published september 28, 2020

Korean Casino, Closed Twice, Looking at Steep Losses

South Korea’s Kangwon Land will remain closed until October 5, its second closure since the Covid-19 outbreak began. The resort could forfeit up to KRW36.4 billion (US$30.7 million) to...

Published september 28, 2020

Philippine Gaming Revenues Topple

Second-quarter gross gaming revenues in the Philippines amounted to PH2.42 billion (US$49.9 million) due to ongoing restrictions caused by Covid-19. That’s compared to PH60.65 billion for the same period...

Published september 28, 2020

Tokyo Court to Okada: Pay Up

Tokyo’s High Court has affirmed a lower court decision ordering Japanese casino magnate Kazuo Okada (l.) to pay damages of JPY21.3 million (US$204,000) to his former company, Universal Entertainment...

Published september 28, 2020

Losses Continue for Owner of Macau Luxury Hotel

South Shore Holdings has reported a loss of HK$1.02 billion for the 2020 financial year. Most of it stemmed from the ongoing struggles of its luxury Cotai resort, the...

Published september 21, 2020

Visitation on the Mend in Macau

Macau resort hotels reportedly were at 80 percent capacity in the run-up to Golden Week (l.). Will gaming revenues follow? The market is hoping it will as the normally...

Published september 21, 2020

MBS Under Scrutiny Over Cash Transfers

Singapore regulators and the U.S. Justice Department continue to investigating how Marina Bay Sands (l.) handles large sums of VIP cash. The probes were initiated after a gambler sued,...

Published september 21, 2020

IR Supporter Suga Now Japan’s PM

Yoshihide Suga (l.), elected September 14 as president of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, has now succeeded Shinzo Abe as prime minister. Suga is expected to fulfill Abe’s plan for...

Published september 21, 2020

Hong Kong Jockey Club Sets Wagering Record

The grandstand at Sha Tin was all but deserted for the return of live racing earlier this month. But the city’s bettors were out in force.

Published september 14, 2020

IPI Chief Says Focus Is on the Future

Donald Browne, newly appointed CEO of Imperial Pacific International, says “word on the street” has it that the troubled Saipan casino operator could be replaced. “We can’t stand for...

Published september 14, 2020

Yokohama Mayor’s About-Face on IRs

Yokohama Mayor Fumiko Hayashi (l.), who has repeatedly claimed to be neutral on integrated resorts in the region, now says she feels “a sense of crisis” about the city’s...

Published september 14, 2020

With the Return of the IVS, Visitation to Macau Perks Up

After a Covid-induced hiatus dating back to January, the popular tourist visa program is slated for restoration across all of China this month. With the “Golden Week” holiday approaching,...

Published september 14, 2020

Centara Hotels Plans Mandalay Casino

Thai hospitality brand Centara Hotels & Resorts has signed three hotel management agreements for Myanmar. One will include a casino, the company says.

Published september 7, 2020

Deal to Sell 13 Hotel Falls Apart

The owners of The 13 Hotel (l.) in Macau thought they had a deal to unload at least 50 percent of the partially opened luxury resort, which lacks a...

Published september 7, 2020

In Manila, Landing Seeks New IR Site

Landing International Development Ltd. says it has been granted an extension by Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR to the deadline for finding new land on which to develop a planned...

Published september 7, 2020