Macau to Consider Tourism Fee

Alexis Tam (l.), Macau’s secretary for social affairs and culture, says the jurisdiction is weighing the introduction of a tourist entry fee in order to attract a higher grade...

Published January 28, 2019

Will Philippine GGR Reach $4.1B?

The Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. is looking for a big jackpot in 2019. The state-run regulator expects gross gaming revenues to rise 8.5 percent to PHP217 billion (US$4.1...

Published January 28, 2019

Claim, Counter-Claim: Fox, Genting Face Off

U.S. entertainment behemoth 21st Century Fox has filed a counter-claim against Genting Malaysia regarding the latter’s planned US$1 billion theme park. The plan was deep-sixed when Fox was acquired...

Published January 28, 2019

Wynn Wins in Malaysian Debt Case

Wynn Macau has won its case against a Malaysian gambler who owes HK$33 million (US$4.21 million) to the operator. The operator prevailed even though the country does not recognize...

Published January 28, 2019

Philippines Throw Out Okada Count

The Philippine Department of Justice has dismissed one count of fraud against Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada (l.). The claim is related to a US$7 million contract to supply light...

Published January 28, 2019

Melco, MGM to Add Mass Tables

On January 1, Macau regulators granted 40 new-to-market mass gaming tables to Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s casino operations. MGM China was also awarded 25 new tables for its casino...

Published January 28, 2019

Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Opens to Locals

Corona Casino Phu Quoc (l.) has become the first casino in Vietnam to open the door to local gamblers. The casino is part of a three-year trial of locals...

Published January 28, 2019

Tokyo: In or Out of IR Race?

Recent news reports out of Japan speculated that Tokyo might consider an integrated resort at the site of the former Tsukiji fish market. Now the metro government is indicating...

Published January 28, 2019

Canidrome Company Fined

Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome, which held the concession for the city’s former greyhound racetrack, has been fined 25 million patacas (US$3.1 million) for abandoning hundreds of racing dogs when...

Published January 21, 2019

VIP Boost Forecast for Singapore

Global investment bank Maybank Kim Eng predicts that gross gaming revenues in Singapore’s VIP segment will grow 5 percent this year and 5 percent in 2020, slightly ahead of...

Published January 21, 2019

Studio City to Cut VIP Ops

Melco Resorts’ Studio City (l.) casino in Macau will put an end to VIP rolling chip operations starting January 15, 2020. One brokerage speculated the operator will move the...

Published January 21, 2019

Okada Fighting Philippines Listing for Tiger

Kazuo Okada, the Japanese machine gaming tycoon, says Tiger Resort and parent Universal Entertainment have no authority to take the Manila casino operator public. That’s because, or so he...

Published January 21, 2019

Leong Still Cagey About Macau Concessions

Macau Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong (l.) continues to dodge questions about the upcoming gaming license retender, set to begin in 2020. Leong says the government is...

Published January 21, 2019

Japan: IR Plans Keep Coming

In Japan, global gaming operators continue to scout possible locales for three multibillion-dollar integrated resorts legalized by the government in 2016. Among the most popular sites are Osaka, Hokkaido...

Published January 21, 2019

Emperor Adds to Grand Stake

Hong Kong-listed Emperor Entertainment Hotel Ltd. will acquire an additional 5 percent of the British Virgin Islands (BVI)-registered company that operates Macau casino venue the Grand Emperor Hotel.

Published January 14, 2019

Galaxy Awards Share Options

Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group has offered share options to its executive directions and director associates. The primary beneficiaries include members of the Lui family.

Published January 14, 2019

Genting Theme Park Will Stoke Growth

Analysts say Genting Malaysia’s planned theme park, expected to open sometime in 2020, will grow visitation by as much as 10 percent, or 2.5 million people per year.

Published January 14, 2019

Hotung v. SJM, Hos

Michael Hotung, nephew of Macau casino titan Stanley Ho, is demanding that SJM Holdings and members of the Ho family pay him HK$2 billion he says was owed to...

Published January 14, 2019

Former Kangwon CEO Sentenced to Prison

The former CEO of South Korean casino Kangwon Land has been sentenced to three years prison for preferential hiring practices. Choi Hung-jib was immediately taken into custody after the...

Published January 14, 2019

Taipa LRT to Open this Year

A new light rail transit line will open in Macau during the first half of 2019. The 5.8-mile railway connecting Taipa with Cotai is designed to transport mass-market gamblers...

Published January 14, 2019