Macau operators celebrate their latest MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026 achievements

Macau

AGBrief Editorial

-

March 19, 2026

0

Macau operators celebrate their latest MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026 achievements

The MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026 once again highlighted the excellence of Macau’s gaming operators, celebrating a new wave of star‑studded achievements across their world‑class dining portfolios.

MICHELIN Stars 2026

SJM Resorts

Palace Garden and Don Alfonso 1890 celebrate their inaugural MICHELIN Stars

At the unveiling of the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026, SJM Resorts achieved a major milestone as Palace Garden and Don Alfonso 1890 at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau each earned their first MICHELIN Star. SJM’s parent company, STDM, also celebrated the reopening of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Hong Kong, which secured two MICHELIN Stars at its new Landmark location. Together, SJM and STDM now hold eight MICHELIN‑recognised establishments and a combined ten MICHELIN Stars, the highest total across Hong Kong and Macau.

The recognition underscores SJM’s longstanding leadership in fine dining, with Managing Director Daisy Ho highlighting the group’s commitment to elevating Macau’s global culinary stature. The newly starred restaurants showcase the depth of the group’s portfolio—from Palace Garden’s refined Taishi cuisine to Don Alfonso 1890’s authentic Southern Italian gastronomy.

SJM and STDM Celebrate New MICHELIN Milestones as Grand Lisboa Palace Earns Two Inaugural Stars — _{The Eight}

SJM’s culinary icons also continue to shine: Robuchon au Dôme and The Eight at Grand Lisboa Macau maintain their long‑standing MICHELIN distinctions, while Zuicho retains its One‑Star status and Mesa by José Avillez earns a MICHELIN‑Selected designation. The Kitchen at Grand Lisboa Hotel also continues its MICHELIN‑Selected recognition, further strengthening the group’s award‑winning dining landscape.

MGM China

Five Foot Road and Aji at MGM Cotai retain one MICHELIN Star

MGM COTAI has once again earned recognition in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026, with its acclaimed restaurants Five Foot Road and Aji each retaining their one MICHELIN star. The achievement reinforces MGM’s commitment to culinary excellence, supported by strong talent development and Macau’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, as highlighted by CEO Kenneth Feng.

Five Foot Road, a homegrown MGM brand, celebrates its fourth consecutive year with one star, showcasing refined Sichuan cuisine under the mastery of Executive Sous Chef Yang Dengquan. Aji, awarded one star for the second year, continues to elevate its “Asian Bistronomy” concept through precise French techniques and contemporary Asian flavors led by Executive Sous Chef Pan Sihui. Located beside The Spectacle, Aji offers guests a distinctive multi‑sensory dining experience that blends gastronomy, art, and technology.

MGM COTAI’s Five Foot Road and Aji Retain One MICHELIN Star — _{Aji at MGM Cotai}

Melco Resorts

Melco sets new benchmark in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has reaffirmed its leadership in global fine dining, topping Macau’s results in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026 with a total of eight MICHELIN Stars across five restaurants at City of Dreams, Studio City, and Altira Macau. City of Dreams stands out as Macau’s leading gastronomic destination, holding six MICHELIN Stars, the highest of any integrated resort in the city.

At the guide’s 18th edition ceremony, Jade Dragon retained its prestigious Three MICHELIN Stars for the eighth consecutive year, while Alain Ducasse at Morpheus continued its Two‑Star streak. Pearl Dragon at Studio City, Ying at Altira Macau, and Sushi Kinetsu at City of Dreams each maintained their One‑Star distinctions. Innovative Chinese restaurant Yí was also recommended in the 2026 guide.

Chairman & CEO Lawrence Ho praised the teams for their professionalism and unwavering commitment to excellence, noting that these accolades reflect years of consistent performance and collaboration. He reaffirmed Melco’s dedication to supporting Macau’s development as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, continuing to deliver world‑class, innovative dining experiences to guests from around the world.

Cantonese restaurant Jade Dragon, Melco Resorts — _{Jade Dragon at City of Dreams}

Galaxy Entertainment Group

Galaxy Macau & StarWorld Hotel recognized for Culinary Mastery in MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026

Galaxy Macau and StarWorld Hotel have reaffirmed their leadership in Macau’s dining scene with a combined five MICHELIN Stars in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026, underscoring the Group’s long‑standing commitment to culinary excellence, talent development, and innovation.

Now in its second year, Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa retains its One‑Star status, while 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA and Lai Heen continue their One‑Star streaks. On the Macau Peninsula, Feng Wei Ju at StarWorld Hotel celebrates its tenth consecutive Two‑Star recognition, solidifying its position as a benchmark for refined Hunan and Sichuan cuisine.

Galaxy Macau & StarWorld Hotel recognized for Culinary Mastery in MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026 — _{From left to right: Executive Chef Marino D’Antonio (8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA), Master Chef Masaaki Miyakawa (Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa), Chef Chan Chek Keong (Feng Wei Ju) and Executve Chef Jackie Ho Hon-sing (Lai Heen)}

Led by visionary chefs, each restaurant showcases mastery in its respective culinary tradition—from the meticulous Edomae techniques at Sushi Kissho and ingredient‑driven Italian craftsmanship at 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, to Lai Heen’s disciplined Cantonese artistry and Feng Wei Ju’s elevated regional flavors. To mark the 2026 MICHELIN accolades, Galaxy Macau will present a series of limited‑time celebratory menus across its starred restaurants.

Macau welcomes Asia’s Elite as EASL Finals 2026 press conference previews semifinal showdowns

Macau

AGBrief Editorial

-

March 19, 2026

0

Macau welcomes Asia’s Elite as EASL Finals 2026 press conference previews semifinal showdowns

The EASL Finals 2026 commenced today with an official press conference in Macau, featuring representatives from all four semifinal teams together with EASL leadership and Studio City executives.

Energy and anticipation crackled through the venue as each team took the podium ahead of the semifinal round, celebrating a competition that unites the region’s elite. Players and coaches praised the Finals as a high-stakes, truly international battleground — champions facing champions — where pride, passion, and regional bragging rights are all on the line.

Kicking off the conference, the EASL Founder & CEO, Henry Kerins, took the mic with unmistakable enthusiasm, reaffirming Macau as the beating heart of the EASL Finals. He celebrated the league’s deep roots in the city — a partnership stretching back to 2017 when EASL staged week-long tournaments in Macau — and traced the evolution from those early events to today’s full 36-game regular-season format and consecutive postseason return.

“Macau has been part of our story from the very beginning,” shared Henry Kerins. “What we’re building here — bringing Asia’s best teams together in one of the region’s great cities — is exactly the kind of integrated sports experience that puts Macau on the map for the right reasons. We believe the best is still to come.”

The SVP & Property General Manager of Studio City, Kevin Benning, echoed that sentiment on behalf of Studio City, welcoming Asia’s premier basketball competition back within its walls for another postseason run. “Hosting the EASL Finals for a second consecutive year reinforces our commitment to supporting the positioning of Macau SAR as a global hub for elite sports,” Benning said. “For us, this is about more than just hosting a tournament; it’s about bringing that ‘Fun Never Ends’ energy to life for fans across the region. We’ve created a world-class stage where elite athletics and the spirit of Macau converge, and we are ready for the world to see it.”

FeedConstruct & EASL forge long-term exclusive data & streaming partnership

The EASL Finals has grown into one of the region’s most significant sporting events, and Macau has been central to that story. By anchoring its postseason here for the second consecutive year, the league continues to draw fans and media from across the continent — bringing the kind of sports tourism that puts Macau on the map as a destination for elite Asian competition.

Semifinals Schedule — Studio City Event Center

The semifinal round tips off on Friday, March 20, with the:

Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) taking on Utsunomiya Brex (B.LEAGUE) at 18:00
Alvark Tokyo (B.LEAGUE) facing Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P.LEAGUE+) at 20:30.

Both games are held at the Studio City Event Center.

The two winners advance to the Finals, where the champion will take home $1.5 million USD from a prize pool that also includes $750,000 for the runner-up and $375,000 for third place.

In a Wednesday announcement, coupled with its February traffic figures, the group’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer noted that “Turning to March, the global geopolitical environment is volatile, and this is causing unexpected shifts in passenger and cargo traffic clows as well as a significant increase in the price of jet fuel”.

The executive furthered: “As customers prioritize alternative travel routes due to airspace closures in the Middle East, we have added extra flights to London and provided additional capacity to Zurich in March to cater for a surge in demand for Europe. We are monitoring the situation closely and will remain agile in our response”.

Wynn Resorts on March 11th indicated that the construction of its integrated resort Wynn Al Marjan Island had ‘resumed following a short pause’, with team members ‘able to continue their work in a consistent manner’. The IR is expected to open in early 2027. MGM Resorts’ non-gaming development in Dubai is also under construction, with an expected opening date in late 2028, with the company indicating the project has not been significantly disrupted by the ongoing conflict.

Despite the uncertainty caused by the Middle East situation, the Cathay Pacific executive indicated that “bookings remain robust for the rest of March, driven by leisure travel across Asia”.

Cathay saw a yearly uptick of 24 percent in passenger numbers in February to 3.2 million (including Cathay Pacific and HK Express), boosted by the Lunar New Year holiday. Cathay Pacific passengers totaled 2.55 million, up by 24.3 percent yearly.

The group’s low budget arm HK Express saw a 25 percent uptick in passengers, to 730,000, with South Korea routes being the most popular. Malaysia and mainland China also saw “a significant increase in demand […] which outpaced capacity growth”.

PH Senator aims to broaden scope of AML law, with stricter compliance and oversight

Philippines

Kelsey Wilhelm

-

March 19, 2026

0

PH Senator aims to broaden scope of AML law, with stricter compliance and oversight

A Philippine senator is seeking to further amend the country’s anti-money laundering act (ALMA), expanding its scope to more entities linked to online gaming operators.

According to the Philippine News Agency, Senator Joel Villanueva proposed the bill amendment, saying “we need a tougher law to catch up with the criminals trying to cover their illicit financial tracks”.

The bill proposal also comes as the country is facing another evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) this year, with the government strongly pushing to remain off the international body’s grey list.

The proposed measures would apply stricter AMLA compliance for entities including company service providers, lawyers, accountants, online gaming operators, and virtual asset service providers.

It would also grant the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) stronger enforcement authority, including the suspension of orders, administrative freeze orders and subpoenas, and speed up court procedures for suspicious transactions.

Customer due diligence and reporting requirements would be increased, with stricter sanctions on covered entities. The bill would also allow the AMLC to retain and use forfeited assets to support its operations.

Thailand vote secures PM Anutin’s leadership, keeps casino legalization off the table

Thailand

Viviana Chan

-

March 19, 2026

0

Thailand vote secures PM Anutin’s leadership, keeps casino legalization off the table

Thailand’s incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will remain in office after securing parliamentary approval on Thursday, reinforcing policy continuity, including his administration’s firm opposition to casino legalization.

According to an official tally, Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, received 293 votes in the House of Representatives, surpassing the majority required from the 498 lawmakers present. He is expected to formally assume office again in the coming days following royal endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, with a new cabinet to be appointed in the weeks ahead.

Anutin’s party won 191 seats in February’s general election and subsequently formed a governing coalition with several parties, including the Pheu Thai Party, which secured 74 seats. Pheu Thai, a populist party with roots in the Shinawatra political movement, has historically supported pro-growth economic policies and previously backed discussions around regulated casino development as part of broader tourism initiatives.

The 59-year-old prime minister, who first assumed office in September after his predecessor was removed over an ethics violation, has positioned himself as a defender of national interests, particularly during recent border tensions with Cambodia. His leadership has coincided with a rise in nationalist sentiment.

Regarding the gaming sector, Anutin has consistently opposed the legalization of casinos and broader gambling expansion. His administration has halted earlier proposals for integrated resorts and emphasized stricter enforcement against illegal gambling, signaling a conservative approach that contrasts with previous pro-gaming policy discussions.

MGM China announces $171M final dividend amid record 2025 results

Macau
News

Viviana Chan

-

March 19, 2026

0

MGM China announces $171M final dividend amid record 2025 results

MGM China has declared a final ordinary dividend of HK$0.353 ($0.045) per share for the year ended December 31st, 2025, totaling approximately HK$1.34 billion ($171 million), as the company continues to return capital to shareholders amid strong earnings performance.

According to a filing on Thursday, the dividend will be paid on June 3rd, 2026, subject to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting on May 14th. The ex-dividend date is set for May 20th, with a record date of May 22nd.

The latest payout follows MGM China’s dividend policy, which was reaffirmed in March 2025, under which total annual distributions are capped at no more than 50 percent of anticipated consolidated annual profits, effectively setting a fixed payout framework.

The company previously declared an interim dividend of HK$0.313 ($0.04) per share, equivalent to approximately HK$1.189 billion ($152 million) and representing about 49.9 percent of profit attributable to shareholders for the first half of 2025.

The combined distributions suggest the company remains broadly aligned with its payout framework, reinforcing a disciplined approach to capital returns.

MGM China reported record financial results for 2025, with total operating revenue rising 10.8 percent year-on-year to HK$34.79 billion ($4.44 billion), while adjusted EBITDA increased 10.4 percent to HK$10 billion ($1.28 billion). Market share also reached a record 16.1 percent, up from 15.8 percent in the prior year.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley had previously indicated potential for a more shareholder-friendly capital return strategy, noting that the interim dividend implied a payout ratio of around 50 percent, with scope for higher distributions to enhance yield and valuation.

Large-scale former casino spaces in Macau attract redevelopment interest

Macau

Viviana Chan

-

March 19, 2026

0

Large-scale former casino spaces in Macau attract redevelopment interest

Macau’s former satellite casino sites are attracting interest from both local and international investors following their closure, with the large-scale properties offering potential for redevelopment into new commercial and experiential businesses, according to real estate consultancy Savills Macau.

Franco Liu, managing director of Savills Macau, said the shutdown of satellite casinos has freed up substantial commercial space, particularly in hotel properties that previously housed gaming operations.

Speaking to local media outlet Macau Daily, Liu noted that the size and layout of these sites make them suitable for businesses requiring expansive floor areas, including experiential entertainment venues targeting both tourists and local residents.

“Some investors are interested, and we have even received inquiries from international investors who see this as a starting point for entering Macau,” Liu said.

He added that faster government action on rezoning and licensing approvals would be critical to unlocking the potential of these properties and revitalizing business activity, particularly in the ZAPE district, which historically hosted a high concentration of satellite casinos.

However, Liu cautioned that converting former gaming venues into standard commercial spaces is not a straightforward process. Based on earlier cases during the pandemic, properties that exited the satellite casino system were required to undergo inspections by government authorities and complete administrative procedures before being approved for new use, a process that took up to two years.

Liu urged authorities to streamline these procedures, justifying that simplifying administrative steps and accelerating licensing approvals would help investors proceed with redevelopment plans more efficiently. Given the scale of the properties, tenants are likely to require significant capital investment, making regulatory clarity and speed key considerations.

Earlier this year, Savills Macau also highlighted the financial impact of the satellite casino closures, noting that property values for affected sites declined by between 30 percent and 60 percent, depending on the extent to which gaming had contributed to their profitability.

The consultancy said the closures had a direct impact on both the properties themselves and surrounding commercial areas, particularly in ZAPE.

The closure of all remaining satellite casinos last year marked the end of a long-standing segment of Macau’s gaming industry, prompting a broader transition toward non-gaming and diversified economic activities.

The night was a showcase of the broad content universe Zitro has to offer. Attendees got to explore new games and mechanics across its three slot cabinet lines: GLARE, CONCEPT — which unveiled new titles to an enthusiastic reception, further cementing its position as the go-to cabinet for operators in the region — and FANTASY, Zitro’s latest launch, which was one of the highlights of the evening with its 5 exclusive games.

Zitro Digital also had its moment in the spotlight, presenting the latest additions to its online portfolio, which continues to gain strong momentum across Latin America. All of this was complemented by high-quality entertainment and a dining experience that made the evening truly unforgettable.

Zitro Experience Argentina breaks attendance records at its seventh edition

It’s no coincidence that, for the third consecutive year, Zitro leads the Latin American market according to the Eilers & Krejcik – Fantini report. It’s a reflection of a company that understands its market, listens to its customers, and knows how to exceed expectations. Zitro Experience was, once again, the best proof of that.

Commenting on Zitro’s participation, Alejandra Burato, Regional Director for Latin America, said: “It was a fantastic night. We are incredibly grateful to all our customers for their trust and for joining us year after year. Events like this inspire us to keep pushing forward and delivering our best, and we believe that FANTASY, along with the new developments from CONCEPT and Zitro Digital, give a clear picture of where we’re headed.”

Under the agreement, PhilWeb will provide a full online gaming platform solution for Okada Play, including gaming content, platform technology, customer service infrastructure, and marketing support. The initiative marks Okada Manila’s expansion into the digital gaming space as part of its broader strategy to strengthen its presence beyond land-based operations.

PhilWeb President Brian Ng said the collaboration highlights the company’s focus on delivering advanced gaming solutions to industry partners. “By working with Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc., we are enabling the extension of a globally recognized luxury gaming brand into the online space through a robust and scalable platform,” he said.

Nobuki Sato, President and COO of Okada Manila, described the launch as a key step in expanding the group’s digital footprint. “Okada Play marks a strategic step in scaling our digital gaming presence and reinforcing our leadership in the market,” he said, adding that the platform will help reach new player segments while maintaining premium service standards.

The platform is positioned to compete in the Philippines’ growing online gaming market, offering a digital experience aligned with Okada Manila’s luxury brand. The partnership also reflects increasing convergence between land-based and online gaming, as operators seek new revenue streams and enhanced customer engagement.

Following a recent ownership change, PhilWeb has been expanding its services offerings, marketing efforts and customer base, already being tapped by Hann Casino & Resort to scale its regulated online gaming operations in the Philippines. Casino gaming equipment and content provider FBM Philippines also recently signed a contract with PhilWeb to ‘build and operate FBM Philippines’ online gaming platform’ – encompassing ‘up to 30,000 machines across more than 500 locations nationwide’.

SOFTSWISS Sportsbook slashes integration time by 4x with new API testing tool

Elsewhere

AGBrief Editorial

-

March 19, 2026

0

SOFTSWISS Sportsbook slashes integration time by 4x with new API testing tool

SOFTSWISS has introduced the Partner API Tester, a self‑service tool for Sportsbook Partner API 2.0 that enables operators to validate integrations up to four times faster than manual testing, accelerating time‑to‑market and removing the need for dedicated QA resources.

Integrating a sportsbook has traditionally required operators to run separate manual checks across betting, wallet, and player management functionality, slowing troubleshooting and increasing costs. The new Partner API Tester addresses these challenges by providing a unified dashboard that allows operators to run automated tests independently.

By eliminating reliance on manual QA processes, the Partner API Tester gives operators greater control over the integration process. This way, integration teams can monitor execution and review detailed request and response logs in real time, making it easier to identify and resolve issues as they arise.

Tests run sequentially to prevent data conflicts, and the dashboard always displays results from the latest run. This provides an up-to-date view of the integration status at every stage, significantly improving overall efficiency.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of Operations at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, said: “Integration speed matters, but so does confidence. Operators want to know their sportsbook will work exactly as expected before they go live. The Partner API Tester removes one of the biggest bottlenecks in the process – manual validation. Our partners can now test integrations independently, identify issues, and launch much faster. This kind of self-service capability saves time on both sides and makes the whole process more predictable.”

Designed as a standalone solution for any iGaming platform, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook supports basic setup in as little as 14 days and advanced integrations within 30 days. With the introduction of the new Partner API Tester, this timeline can be reduced even further.

This speed and flexibility are particularly important ahead of major global sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026, when operators aim to expand their sportsbook offering in time to capture increased player activity.

SOFTSWISS also continues to share practical industry insights. The company recently released the Sportsbook KPIs guide, designed to support more informed betting analytics. The ebook helps operators look beyond basic metrics and better understand what drives sportsbook performance, profitability, and long-term player value.