Vietnam Feels Ripple Effect of Coronavirus

Australia-listed Donaco International Limited says visitation is down by two-thirds at its casino at the Aristo International Hotel (l.) in Lao Cai, Vietnam, bordering China

Published February 17, 2020

MGM Gets Nod in Osaka

U.S. gaming giant MGM Resorts International has been identified as the sole qualified bidder for an integrated resort (IR) in Osaka, Japan (l.), a pet project of departing CEO...

Published February 17, 2020

In Macau, ‘Bleak’ Outlook, Plunging Revenues

With coronavirus cases soaring in China, visitation to Macau is at a virtual standstill. The city’s principal industry will remain closed for at least another week, and it’s possible...

Published February 17, 2020

Suncity: Vietnam Casino Unaffected by Coronavirus

Macau junket investor Suncity Group has said that Phase I of Hoiana, in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, will be ready to open within the first quarter of this year,...

Published February 10, 2020

Second Casino in Russian EZ to Open in March

At long last, a second casino is set to open in in Russia’s Primorye special economic zone. A cluster of casino resorts has long been planned for the zone,...

Published February 10, 2020

More Charges Filed in Japan Corruption Case

An ex-lawmaker faces more charges in Japan’s widening casino corruption scandal. Tsukasa Akimoto (l.) is now alleged to have accepted JPY2 million (US$18,450) from Chinese sports betting firm 500.com...

Published February 10, 2020

Melco Ditches Crown, Blames Coronavirus

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has bailed on its plan to buy a major share of Crown Resorts. Melco blamed its decision on the impact of the coronavirus, but the...

Published February 10, 2020

Sale of Australian Casino Falls Through

A planned sale of Casino Canberra in Australia has been tabled by the property’s owner, Aquis Entertainment. Aquis had offered Canberra for $32 million to Blue Whale Entertainment Pty...

Published February 3, 2020

PAGCOR, Philippines AML Council Sign Collaborative Agreement

The Philippines Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the country’s gaming regulator have signed an agreement to help prevent money laundering and terrorism financing in online and land-based casinos. Sharing...

Published February 3, 2020

Crown Chairman, Others Ousted Amid ‘Suitability’ Probe

Crown Resorts Executive Chairman John Alexander (l., with former Crown honcho James Packer) has resigned, and others in the Australian company’s executive ranks are also casualties of a regulatory...

Published February 3, 2020

Poll: Most in Japan Say Suspend IR Plans

In Japan, just one-fifth of people responding to an Asahi Shimbun survey favor moving ahead with plans to build three multibillion-dollar integrated resorts in the country. Many residents have...

Published February 3, 2020

Opposition Mounts to Japan Casinos

Opponents of integrated resorts in Japan are demanding a rollback of the 2016 legislation that legalized the casino complexes. Though Prime Minister Shinzo Abe insists he will move ahead...

Published January 27, 2020

In Asia, Competition Heats Up for China’s VIPs

Last year’s 18 percent decline in Macau VIP revenue may be the symptom of a larger phenomenon—an exodus of Chinese high rollers to other destinations in the region’s burgeoning...

Published January 27, 2020

Australia Regulator Moves to Block Illegal Gambling Sites

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ordered the country's internet service providers to block nine offshore gambling websites it has deemed illegal.

Published January 20, 2020

Brazil Tourism Minister Wants IRs, Not Bingo

To boost tourism and stoke the economy, Brazil Tourism Minister Marcelo Álvaro Antônio (l.) says only full-scale integrated resort complexes will do. Antonio wants to see tourism far exceed...

Published January 20, 2020

Platinum to Manage Gaming at Vietnam Casino

Asian-based management consultancy firm Platinum Entertainment Ltd. has been appointed as the exclusive manager of gaming operations at Royal Halong Hotel’s Royal Casino (l.), a boutique casino in Vietnam’s...

Published January 20, 2020

Delta Corp. to Operate Nepal Casino

India-based gaming operator Delta Corp Ltd. has disclosed that it has been licensed to operate a casino at the Marriot Hotel in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It will...

Published January 20, 2020

Japan Casino Scandal Shakes Public Trust

The corruption scandal surrounding Japan’s looming integrated resort (IR) industry has shaken the confidence of the public. Some are now asking the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (l.)...

Published January 20, 2020

Gamblers Take Flight As Cambodian Casinos Continue to Close

The ripple effect continues following the January 1 ban on iGaming in Cambodia. As online operations shut down, many of their land-based counterparts are following suit, and hundreds have...

Published January 13, 2020

Macau Analysts Look for a Rebound in 2020

Revenue-wise, the booming casino enclave of Macau took it on the chin in 2019. As the new year begins, experts say the downturn is all in the past. With...

Published January 13, 2020