Hornbuckle on Osaka: Path to 2030 Opening ‘Pretty Straightforward’

Bill Hornbuckle, president and CEO of MGM Resorts International, says the company is at a “critical” juncture in its development of an integrated resort in Osaka, Japan, but will...

Published March 25, 2024

Philippine Gaming Regulator Foresees Billions in Investment

Financiers could invest up to $6 billion into the Philippine gaming industry over the next five years, according to Alejandro Tengco (l.), head of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming...

Published March 25, 2024

Macau Casino Execs Tout ‘Multi-Stop’ Cultural Tours

Pansy Ho of MGM China and Francis Lui of Galaxy Entertainment Group are promoting broad-based cultural tourism that would include stops in Macau, Hong Kong, and Mainland Chinese cities.

Published March 18, 2024

Thai Casino Study Set for Release

A second feasibility study on legal casinos in Thailand is expected to reach the House of Representatives next week. An initial study, completed in 2022, recommended up to five...

Published March 18, 2024

Nagasaki Partner Won’t Appeal IR Decision

The head of Kyushu Resorts, which partnered with Nagasaki Prefecture and Casinos Austria in a bid for an integrated resort, says the firm will not appeal the Japanese government’s...

Published March 18, 2024

Macau Operators Work to Strengthen Premium Mass

Casino operators in Macau, buoyed by post-pandemic visitation, are working to solidify their positions in the competitive marketplace. All are focused on catering to high-end premium mass customers.

Published March 18, 2024

Will Vietnam Price Out Sports Betting Bids?

Vietnam may open the bidding for sports betting licenses, though past efforts went nowhere because of investment minimums. In 2017, the government asked investors to pony up $43.5 million...

Published March 11, 2024

Indonesia, Malaysia Want Help to Stamp Out Online Gambling Ads

Indonesia and Malaysia have invited social media platforms X and Telegram to join them in the battle against illegal gambling ads posted on their sites.

Published March 11, 2024

Bloomberry Courts Buyers for South Korean IR

Philippine casino giant Bloomberry Resorts Corp. has announced it is “open to the possibility” of selling its stake in the Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino in Jeju, South Korea.

Published March 11, 2024

Imperial Pacific Settlement Offer Still Uncertain

Embattled Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International has offered to pay $49 million to surrender its gaming license and exit the jurisdiction for good. But at the last minute,...

Published March 11, 2024

Cambodian PM Considers End to Gambling

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced a ban on new casino licenses, the possible revocation of existing licenses, and the “elimination” of all illegal gambling operations.

Published March 11, 2024

Philippines Still Working to Exit Grey List

Officials in the Philippines say they are making progress in efforts to be removed from the “grey list” of jurisdictions that are vulnerable to money laundering and other financial...

Published March 4, 2024

RWG Closes Malaysian Casinos for Upgrades

Malaysia’s sole integrated resort, Resorts World Genting (l.), announced last week that it had closed two of its three casinos effective February 28. It disputed reports that the closures...

Published March 4, 2024

Facing License Revocation, Saipan Operator Offers Settlement

In court hearings last week, Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International proposed a settlement to satisfy millions in overdue license fees to Northern Mariana Islands regulators. Terms were not...

Published March 4, 2024

In Korea, Mohegan Irons Out Kinks Ahead of Inspire Opening

Mohegan Inspire in Korea is ironing out a few operational kinks in advance of its March 5 grand opening. The resort, which has been opening in phases since last...

Published March 4, 2024

Does Macau Gaming Crime Bill Miss the Mark?

Newly proposed gaming legislation in Macau, sent to the Legislative Assembly for review, creates new categories of crime and punishment without suggesting preventive measures, say several industry experts.

Published March 4, 2024

Malaysian Police Raid Illegal Gambling Ops, Arrest 181

During the Chinese New Year celebration, Malaysian law enforcement raided a gambling outfit in the southernmost state of Johor, arresting 181 people and seizing cash and gambling apparatus.

Published February 26, 2024

Macau Bill Proposes Jail Terms for Illegal Gaming Loans

New legislation in Macau would provide stricter punishments for people who make illegal loans for casino gambling. The bill has been sent to the Legislative Assembly for review.

Published February 26, 2024

Macau Exceeds 1 Million Visitors for CNY

Macau welcomed more than 1 million visitors during the weeklong Chinese New Year holiday. That’s up 3.7 percent compared to 2019 and the highest figure tabulated since 2017.

Published February 26, 2024

Mohegan Inspire Grand Opening Set for March 5

Mohegan Inspire in Incheon, South Korea, which introduced its non-gaming operations last November, will stage an official grand opening on March 5. The resort’s casino opened February 3.

Published February 19, 2024