Michael Penn
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Michael Penn is a journalist and scholar based in Tokyo, Japan. As a journalist, he both writes print news articles and produces news videos. On the video side, he has several years of experience doing it all by himself: reporting the stories, shooting the video, and editing the packages. As a scholar, the bulk of his past publications have been about Japan's modern relations with the Islamic world.
LATEST NEWS
16 foreigners face charges in the Philippines following Cebu POGO raid
The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed charges against 16 foreign nationals following a raid in Cebu. The Central Visayas office of the NBI charged the individuals with qualified human trafficking after raiding a suspected Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.
The Star appoints former Crown COO Mark Mackay as CEO for The Star Gold Coast
Australian gaming operator The Star has appointed former Crown Resorts COO Mark Mackay as its Chief Executive Officer of The Star Gold Coast, effective from Tuesday.
Wynn Las Vegas pays record fine over unlicensed money transmitting business
Wynn Resorts has announced that it has reached an agreement with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to pay the largest penalty ever by a Nevada gaming company: $130.13 million.
Five-day mandated closure of SkyCity Auckland casino commences
SkyCity’s Auckland casino has officially commenced the five-day closure period of its casino, as mandated by New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs.
The Star to sell Treasury Brisbane Casino building for $45.5M
Australian gaming operator The Star Entertainment Group has announced that is subsidiary in Queensland has reached an agreement to sell its leasehold on the Treasury Brisbane Casino building for $45.5 million.
75 Chinese POGO employees deported from the Philippines
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission deported 75 Chinese nationals after discovering they were employed at an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pasay City.
Universal Entertainment completes early redemption of $760M notes
Japanese conglomerate Universal Entertainment Corp, the parent company of Okada Manila, has completed the early redemption of overseas privately placed notes valued at $760 million.
Creditors of IPI continue to oppose sale price of casino property
The unsecured creditors of Imperial Pacific International continue opposed to the bid price for the sale of the casino property, filing an opposition to IPI’s motion to approve the bid price of $10 million.
No report yet on displaced POGO workers: Labor Secretary
No report on displaced Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers has yet been received by the nation’s Department of Labor and Employment, according to the Labor Secretary.
AGEM Index increased by 5.5 percent m-o-m in August
The AGEM Index marked August with a high note, rising by 5.5 percent from the prior month. Compared to one year ago, the index was up by 35.7 percent.
Alice Guo back in Manila, faces decades in prison if convicted of money laundering
Dismissed Bamban 'POGO Mayor' Alice Guo is back in Manila and, together with alleged conspirators, could face up to 560 years in prison if convicted of money laundering.
Super Typhoon Yagi severely restricts travel to Macau
Super typhoon Yagi has already severely limited non-land based travel to Macau, with ferry services between the gaming hub and Hong Kong suspended entirely as of 3pm (from Hong Kong) and 4pm (from Macau).
Philippines, Indonesia discuss possible swap for fugitive Alice Guo
Authorities from the Philippines and Indonesia are discussing a potential prisoner swap involving fugitive POGO mayor Alice Guo and an Australian drug smuggling suspect wanted by Jakarta.
South Korea’s Kangwon Land gets approval to expand casino
Kangwon Land has received approval from South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for an expansion of its casino facilities.
HK local racing turnover down by 10% due to illegal betting, outbound tourism and “aggressive marketing” by Macau casinos
Hong Kong’s betting turnover on local races fell by nearly 10 percent in 2023, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) attributing the decline to a rise in illegal gambling and increased spending by residents outside the city.
Philippines sees 3.3M international visitors in first eight months of 2024
According to data from the Department of Tourism (DOT), international visitor arrivals in the Philippines increased by 10.9 percent between January and August compared to the same period last year.
The Star reviewing its financial and liquidity position with advisors
Australian gaming operator The Star has released an update, confirming that it is ‘reviewing its financial and liquidity position with various advisors’ in preparation of the launch of its financial results for the January-June period.
Philippine lawmakers eager to question ‘POGO Mayor’ Alice Guo following her arrest
Lawmakers in the Philippines hope that Alice Guo’s arrest will pave the way for her appearance in ongoing probes by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Thailand’s King gives green light to Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s new cabinet
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has officially endorsed the new cabinet formed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with Julapun Amornvivat, a key figure in the effort to legalize casinos, retaining his position as deputy finance minister.
‘POGO mayor’ Alice Guo arrested in Jakarta
‘POGO mayor’ Alice Guo has reportedly been arrested in Indonesia, with confirmation from the Philippines’ Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation.
TOP AUTHORS
Experts warn of diminishing benefits of the Individual Visit Scheme in Macau
Macau's luxury spending has dropped significantly, despite increases to the Individual Visa Scheme, as VIPs dwindle and consumers become more frugal.
