After a two-year hiatus, the ASEAN Gaming Summit is finally returning to Manila in a new venue at Shangri-la at The Fort.

Concern is mounting in Macau over the outsized impact the ongoing Covid crisis is having on the city’s small and medium enterprises, with at least 10 percent saying they expect to shut up shop for good in the coming months. 

This week’s infographic and write-up continues our in-depth examination of Macau’s gaming industry performance in 1Q22, this time looking at EBITDA margins.

Travellers International Group, the operator of Resorts World Manila, said the property generated a 43 percent gain in gross gambling revenue in the first quarter as restrictions eased.

Unclear border reopening plans and rumored visa-troubles have dented industry confidence as to whether Macau will see any meaningful recovery this year.

Philippines’ licensed casinos produced a total of P30.1 billion ($575.6 million) in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 1Q22, rising 29.6 percent compared to the same period in 2021, according to data released by PAGCOR. 

The NUSTAR Resort & Casino opened at the weekend on Cebu island in the Philippines, becoming the first integrated resort for the popular holiday destination.

The Philippines is expected to become the epicenter for gaming industry growth this year, driven by new property openings, the flourishing of domestic-remote gaming, and a surge of revenge travelers never seen before. 

The casinos in the Philippines’ Entertainment City resumed operations at full capacity from the beginning of March, while the borders have also reopened for international travelers.

Gross gambling revenue (GGR) in the Philippines’ Entertainment City properties was up 21 percent in the first two months of the year and the casinos are on track to surpass the $2.2 billion generated in 2017.