Macau's premium mass gaming segment showed continued growth in January 2025, however the upcoming Chinese New Year period could cause a slowdown in the month.

Philippines

Clark aims to attract more Taiwanese partners for freeport zone

Kelsey Wilhelm - January 13, 2025

Clark authorities are aiming to attract more foreign investors from Taiwan, in a bid to draw in more freeport operators and encourage internal collaboration.

Australia

Macau-based investor now holds over 5.5% voting rights in The Star

Kelsey Wilhelm - January 13, 2025

Australia’s The Star Entertainment Group has announced that a Macau-based investor has increased their stake in the company so that they now hold 5.52 percent of voting rights.

Philippines

Push to increase inspections, investigate banks over POGOs

Kelsey Wilhelm - January 13, 2025

Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has promised to further investigations into banks and financial institutions’ involvement in the movement of illegal activities by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Australia

Queensland pubs and clubs GGR rise 9% Y-o-Y in December

Nelson Moura - January 13, 2025

Queensland’s gaming industry has reported encouraging results for December, with state-wide club and pub Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) total gross revenue rising by 9.0 percent compared to December of the previous year and saw a 2.2 percent uptick from the prior month.

Thailand

Thai Council of State planning to oppose IR bill

Nelson Moura - January 13, 2025

Thailand's Council of State plans to oppose the upcoming Entertainment Complex Bill, arguing that it violates government policy and fails to adequately address illegal gambling issues.

Australia

The Star Entertainment could face voluntary administration: Media

Nelson Moura - January 13, 2025

Star Entertainment may face voluntary administration within months, as lenders doubt the company's ability to secure a lifeline investor, according to the Australian Financial Review.

Macau

Macau sees positive impact from new visa policy, says MGTO

Viviana Chan - January 12, 2025

Helena de Senna Fernandes, Head of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), confirmed that the newly implemented visa policy for residents of neighboring cities has already had a positive impact on Macau’s visitor numbers.

India

Indian Supreme Court halts GST notices to online gaming companies

Viviana Chan - January 12, 2025

The Supreme Court of India temporarily halted, on Friday, Goods and Services Tax (GST) show-cause notices amounting to Rs $13.5 billion issued to online gaming companies.

United States

China’s Vice-Commerce Minister meets with LVS CEO, welcomes foreign investment

Nelson Moura - January 12, 2025

China's Vice-Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen extended an invitation to foreign businesses to partake in the country's economic growth, after a meeting with Robert Goldstein, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Europe

Wynn Resorts acquires Crown London, expanding its international footprint

Kelsey Wilhelm - January 10, 2025

Australia’s Crown Resorts has announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell Crown London to Wynn Resorts.

Philippines

LET Group trading suspension continues amid ongoing operational challenges

Viviana Chan - January 10, 2025

Trading of LET Group shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange remains suspended as the company has yet to fulfill all resumption requirements.

South East Asia

Asia remains focal point for match-fixing concerns: Sportradar

Nelson Moura - January 10, 2025

There has been a significant drop in match-fixing incidents across global sports for 2024, but Asia remains a focal point for match-fixing concerns, says Sportradar.

Philippines

Belle Corp finds Clark to be “strategic location” for further IR development

Kelsey Wilhelm - January 10, 2025

Belle Corporation, the Philippine-listed parent company of Premium Leisure Corp (PLC), has now publicly announced that it is pursuing Clark as a “strategic location” for further growth.

Macau

Melco keen on Thai gaming license, aims to develop ‘soft power’ talent

AGBrief Editorial - January 10, 2025

Macau-based gaming group Melco Resorts & Entertainment is focusing in on Thailand, pursuing a development strategy akin to its previous international investments.

United States

Simon Johnson appointed new CEO of Light & Wonder’s iGaming segment

AGBrief Editorial - January 10, 2025

Gaming equipment and services group Light & Wonder has announced the appointment of Simon Johnson as the new CEO of the company’s iGaming business.

Macau

Beijing warns against developing projects inconsistent with strategic direction in Macau’s neighbor Hengqin

Viviana Chan - January 9, 2025

Mainland Chinese authorities in Beijing are monitoring the development of Macau's neighbor, Hengqin, and warning that development is needed to push Macau's diversification attempts.

Philippines