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St8 strengthens global reach through Games Global partnership

AGBrief Editorial
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St8 strengthens global reach through Games Global partnership

Casino games aggregator and full-service technology provider St8 has partnered with Games Global in a deal that will see the supplier’s wide-ranging portfolio of titles made available to operators in regulated markets worldwide.

Through the collaboration, Games Global’s content portfolio will initially be rolled out to St8’s operator network in Ontario, with additional markets expected to follow as the collaboration expands.

Games Global’s high-performing library is developed by its exclusive studio partners, including Alchemy Gaming, Gameburger Studios, Fortune Factory Studios, Stormcraft Studios, PearFiction Studios, ALL FOR ONE Studios, Foxium, among many others, providing operators with proven, player-favourite titles.

The deal significantly strengthens St8’s growing offering, giving its operator partners seamless access to leading content with global appeal through one connection, alongside promotional tools, reporting capabilities and full compliance coverage.

St8 has rapidly been expanding into new markets in the last 12 months, including gaining supplier licenses in the UK, Ontario and most recently Sweden.

As the company continues to scale its platform across regulated markets, the collaboration with Games Global represents another step in St8’s broader growth strategy, expanding its network of leading suppliers and further diversifying the content available to operators.

Vladimir Negine, CEO at St8, said: “Our focus at St8 is giving operators the right foundations to grow in regulated markets. Joining forces with Games Global strengthens our content offering with a portfolio that has proven appeal with players worldwide. We look forward to bringing these titles to our partners, beginning with Ontario and expanding into additional regulated markets.”

Mark MacCombie, CCO at Games Global, added: “We’re really pleased to be working with St8, as it allows us to expand the reach of our content across a broader network of operators. Their scalable platform gives us an efficient route to market, helping us deliver content from our extensive roster of exclusive studios to new audiences.”

BETBY introduces “Stories” to drive engagement and promote sportsbook content

AGBrief Editorial
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BETBY introduces “Stories” to drive engagement and promote sportsbook content

BETBY has unveiled Stories, a new feature aimed at improving how operators highlight promotions and major events for their players.

Inspired by the widely adopted Stories format seen across social media platforms, the feature introduces a familiar, intuitive way for bettors to discover and engage with content directly within the sportsbook interface.

As competition for user attention continues to intensify, operators face the ongoing challenge of delivering promotions and updates in a way that cuts through the noise without overwhelming the user experience. Stories addresses this by offering a dynamic, swipeable format that brings key content — such as bonuses, tournaments, major sporting events, and boosted odds — into a more engaging and accessible space.

Fully integrated into BETBY’s sportsbook environment, Stories enables bettors to seamlessly browse through short, interactive content cards, mirroring the mechanics they already use daily on social platforms. This familiarity plays a key role in driving immediate interaction, lowering the barrier to engagement, and creating additional touchpoints between operators and their users.

By introducing a format that naturally encourages exploration, Stories helps increase visibility across promotional campaigns while supporting higher engagement rates. Each new Story acts as a trigger for curiosity, prompting users to click through and discover new offers or events, ultimately contributing to improved promo turnover.

The feature feels particularly intuitive to younger demographics, who are already accustomed to this style of interaction. By aligning sportsbook UX with established digital behaviors, BETBY allows operators to connect with these audiences in a more organic and impactful way.

“Stories is about meeting users where they already are, in terms of how they consume content,” said Aglaja Geta, Head of UX & Analytics at BETBY. “We wanted to introduce a format that feels instantly familiar, while giving operators a powerful new way to highlight their most important promotions and events. It creates a smoother, more engaging experience that encourages interaction without adding complexity to the platform.”

From an operational perspective, Stories offers a streamlined way to enhance the front-end experience without requiring structural changes to the sportsbook. The feature integrates seamlessly, allowing operators to enrich their content strategy while maintaining a clean and intuitive interface.

Macau expects up to 220,000 daily visitor arrivals during Labor Day peak

Viviana Chan
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Macau expects up to 220,000 daily visitor arrivals during Labor Day peak

Macau authorities expect daily visitor arrivals to reach between 210,000 and 220,000 during peak periods of the five-day Mainland China Labor Day holiday from May 1st to May 5th, with the highest traffic forecast on May 2nd.

The projections were announced during a joint briefing by multiple government departments on Tuesday. Overall, border crossings are estimated at between 3.6 million and 3.7 million for the holiday period, with daily averages of 720,000 to 740,000, broadly in line with the same period last year.

As previously reported by AGB, Macau’s tourism industry is expecting strong visitor arrivals during the Labor Day holiday, with industry representatives projecting that daily volumes could exceed recent peaks as demand from nearby mainland cities remains strong. During last year’s Labor Day holiday, Macau recorded approximately 850,000 visitor arrivals, with average daily arrivals reaching about 170,000.

At the same briefing, police said they will increase patrols across major tourist districts, attractions, and high-traffic areas to maintain public order and prevent crime. Contingency plans have been prepared to address potential congestion, with crowd control measures to be introduced if required.

In terms of transport arrangements, authorities will coordinate with holiday initiatives such as themed bus routes and the introduction of pedestrian-only zones in Taipa Village and areas near Rua da Felicidade, supporting temporary traffic control measures.

Separately, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) said it is preparing a range of measures to receive visitors, including promotional campaigns, cross-department inspections, and closer coordination with industry stakeholders to maintain service quality.

Officials encouraged visitors to stagger travel plans and use the “Smart Passenger Flow” application, which provides real-time data across 114 tourist sites. 

The Star narrows losses 96% to AU$1M, driven by cost cuts

Viviana Chan
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The Star narrows losses 96% to AU$1M, driven by cost cuts

The Star Entertainment Group reported an EBITDA loss of AU$1 million ($720,000) for the quarter ended March 31st, 2026, narrowing losses by 96 percent year-on-year, according to an ASX filing.

Revenue for the period totaled AU$266 million ($191.4 million), down 12 percent quarter-on-quarter and 1 percent compared with the prior corresponding period. 

The AU$23 million ($16.5 million) year-on-year improvement in EBITDA was attributed to cost-saving initiatives and higher operator fee revenue, although results were impacted by seasonal softening and lower gaming visitation in Sydney.

The company noted that second-quarter (2QFY26) results included an AU$11 million ($7.9 million) operator fee revenue true-up related to The Star Brisbane, affecting quarter-on-quarter comparability.

At The Star Sydney, revenue declined 10 percent from the previous quarter to AU$147 million ($105.8 million) and fell 9 percent year-on-year. EBITDA loss narrowed to AU$4 million ($2.9 million), from AU$9 million in the prior corresponding period.

The group cited continued softness in table games, with average daily revenue down 20 percent since the full implementation of mandatory carded play and AU$5,000 ($3,594) daily cash limits in October 2024.

The Star Gold Coast generated revenue of AU$101 million ($72.7 million), down 6 percent quarter-on-quarter but up 5 percent year-on-year. EBITDA rose to AU$8 million ($5.8 million), supported by stronger volumes in electronic gaming machines and hospitality, partially offset by softer table game performance.

Queen's Wharf Brisbane, The Star Entertainment, Star Brisbane
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, The Star Brisbane

For The Star Brisbane, the group reported AU$15 million ($10.8 million) in operator fee revenue under its casino management agreement, following the completion of its exit from the Destination Brisbane Consortium joint venture on April 1st, 2026. After allocating corporate costs, the segment recorded an EBITDA loss of AU$4 million ($2.9 million).

Available cash stood at AU$90 million ($64.7 million) as of March 31st, 2026. The group has entered into a binding commitment letter with funds associated with WhiteHawk Capital Partners to refinance its existing debt and provide additional liquidity. It aims to complete the refinancing by May 15th, 2026, in line with conditions tied to lender waivers.

The company said its ability to continue as a going concern remains subject to material uncertainties, despite progress on refinancing and strategic initiatives.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Belle Corp. 1Q26 gaming share up 12% to $8M

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Belle Corp. 1Q26 gaming share up 12% to $8M
Good morning. Belle Corp. posted a 12 percent increase in its share of gaming revenues from City of Dreams Manila in 1Q26, maintaining momentum despite industry headwinds. Philippine business sentiment deteriorated sharply in March, with confidence hitting a 25-year low, according to a survey conducted by the country’s central bank. Weaker sentiment may weigh on gaming and tourism, as softer consumer spending could reduce visitation and discretionary spending in casinos. Meanwhile, in Macau, SJM Holdings said restructuring efforts are laying the groundwork for improved margins in 2026.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

PHILIPPINES

City Of Dreams Manila, Philippines, Belle Corp.

Belle Corp. records 12% increase in COD Manila gaming share

Belle Corporation posted a 12 percent rise in its share of City of Dreams Manila gaming revenues to $8 million in 1Q26, reversing declines seen in previous quarters. Overall, the company’s total revenues increased 9 percent year-on-year to $23.4 million, while net income rose 13 percent, supported by gaming contributions, stable lease income, and stronger performance across its real estate and utility segments.

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SOFTSWISS invites iGaming pros to shape the 2027 Trends Report

AGBrief Editorial
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SOFTSWISS invites iGaming pros to shape the 2027 Trends Report

Participants can share their perspectives on market developments, player behaviour, technology, and regulation. SOFTSWISS will use these inputs to identify key trends expected to define the industry in 2027. The most insightful contributors will be invited to take part in in-depth interviews and featured in the final report published later this year.

SOFTSWISS’ annual trends reports are amongthe most widely read publications in the industry. The previous edition, the 2026 iGaming Trends Report, drew more than 10,000 downloads among industry practitioners. It was based on a survey of over 350 iGaming professionals, combined with independent analytics from a research agency, and internal insights from 30 SOFTSWISS experts.

“iGaming moves fast, and the people who understand it best are the ones working in it every day,” said Valentina Bagniya, CMO at SOFTSWISS. “This report has always been built on real expertise – not assumptions – and that’s what makes it valuable to the entire industry. If industry experts have a perspective on where the market is heading, this is a chance to share it and reach thousands of professionals worldwide. The more voices we include, the sharper and more useful the final report becomes – for everyone who reads it.”

The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and is open to professionals across the industry, including product, technology, marketing, compliance, and investment.

HKJC shatters World Pool record with $12.4M single-race win handle

AGBrief Editorial
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HKJC shatters World Pool record with $12.4M single-race win handle

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) established a new all-time record for the highest World Pool Win handle on a single race during Sunday’s FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin Racecourse.

The G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize generated a total Win pool handle of HK$97.1 million ($12.39 million), fueled largely by the dominant performance of world-class sprinter Ka Ying Rising.

The figure represents a 30 percent increase over the previous record of HK$63.8 million ($8.14 million), which was also set by Ka Ying Rising during the G2 Sprint Cup earlier this month. 

Of the total handle, HK$94.4 million ($12.04 million) was wagered on Ka Ying Rising alone, who secured his 20th consecutive victory by four-and-a-half lengths. The horse returned at odds of 1.05, the minimum possible return within the World Pool framework, while only HK$2.7 million ($344,387) was wagered on the remaining seven runners.

The record-breaking race contributed to a significant surge in overall engagement, with total betting turnover for the 11-race card rising 18 percent year-over-year to HK$1.798 billion ($229.34 million).

“I’ve never seen a tote figure like this, with almost HK$100 million in the Win pool,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. He noted that Ka Ying Rising’s ability to break track records effortlessly while dominating world-class competition like Satono Reve was “absolutely sensational.”

Philippine business confidence sinks to 25-year low in March: central bank

Viviana Chan
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Philippine business confidence sinks to 25-year low in March: central bank

Business sentiment in the Philippines fell to its weakest level in more than 25 years in March, as rising fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions weighed on consumer spending expectations.

The data, reported by Wealth Insights.ph and based on figures from the central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), signal a sharp deterioration in the business outlook.

The downturn comes amid earlier AGB reporting that an oil price shock could also pressure the gaming sector by reducing disposable income.

The BSP’s latest Business Expectations Survey showed the confidence index (CI) for March dropped sharply to -24.3 percent, from 8.2 percent in February. The reading marks the lowest level since late 2001, indicating a significant shift toward pessimism among surveyed firms.

The central bank attributed the decline primarily to the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has driven up global oil prices. Higher fuel costs have translated into increased domestic prices, raising concerns that consumer spending will weaken as households face rising costs for goods and services.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Philippines Central Bank, Online Gambling payment regulations

Forward-looking indicators also deteriorated. The three-month-ahead CI fell to -17.3 percent, while the year-ahead index dropped to 11.7 percent, both reflecting reduced optimism about economic conditions. Firms cited expectations that the effects of higher energy prices would persist, continuing to weigh on business activity and demand.

Financial conditions also tightened. The survey showed firms reporting weaker cash positions, with the financial condition index declining further into negative territory. Access to credit also worsened, suggesting businesses may face greater difficulty securing financing in the near term.

Businesses also highlighted structural challenges, including intense domestic competition, insufficient demand, and elevated interest rates. Rising production costs linked to higher oil prices were identified as an emerging constraint.

Employment expectations weakened, with hiring outlook indicators turning slightly negative for the coming quarter and declining further for the year ahead. However, some firms indicated they would proceed with expansion plans already in progress before the escalation of geopolitical tensions.

On the macroeconomic front, respondents expect the Philippine peso to depreciate further and borrowing costs to rise. Inflation expectations also increased, with businesses projecting higher price levels in the coming months. Headline inflation in March reached 4.1 percent, while the BSP forecasts inflation to remain above its target ceiling in the near term.

The March survey covered 515 firms and was conducted throughout the month, capturing sentiment following the onset of geopolitical disruptions in global energy markets.

PhilWeb submits plan to address negative equity after PSE inquiry

Viviana Chan
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PhilWeb submits plan to address negative equity after PSE inquiry

PhilWeb Corporation has submitted a plan to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) to restore its negative shareholders’ equity, clarifying that the deficit is primarily due to the accounting treatment of treasury shares rather than operational underperformance, according to a filing on Monday.

The submission was made in response to a PSE inquiry regarding the company’s negative equity position, as disclosed in its 2025 annual report and first-quarter 2026 financial results. In its reply, PhilWeb said it had provided an updated plan detailing ‘the activities it will undertake, together with the corresponding timetable, to restore its stockholders’ equity from negative to positive.’

As of March 31st, 2026, PhilWeb reported negative shareholders’ equity of PHP240.5 million ($4.0 million), an improvement from PHP254.4 million ($4.2 million) at the end of 2025. The company emphasized that the shortfall does not stem from weak operations but from the accounting impact of treasury shares.

The company also formally undertook to comply with all applicable requirements under the exchange’s Guidance, including timely disclosures and submission of necessary approvals related to its recovery plan.

According to the filing, PhilWeb’s recovery strategy focuses on four areas: revenue growth and operational expansion, cost management, capital stock subscription, and treasury share reissuance.

PhilWeb reported a return to profitability in the first quarter of 2026, with net income of PHP13.9 million ($229,000), compared with a net loss of PHP25.5 million ($420,000) a year earlier. Revenues rose 30.4 percent year-on-year to PHP233.1 million ($3.8 million), driven mainly by its online e-gaming solutions segment.

To strengthen its financial position, the company plans to expand its electronic gaming system network, launch new gaming content, and integrate its platform with digital payment services. Cost optimization measures are also underway, including the closure of six non-performing sites, generating estimated monthly savings of PHP2 million ($32,900).

On the capital side, PhilWeb aims to raise equity by subscribing to up to 923.6 million unissued shares over a three-year period through 2027, alongside the potential reissuance of more than 300 million treasury shares.

Belle Corp. 1Q26 share of City of Dreams Manila gaming revenue increase 12% to $8M

Viviana Chan
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Belle Corp. 1Q26 share of City of Dreams Manila gaming revenue increase 12% to $8M

Belle Corporation reported a 12 percent year-on-year increase in its share of gaming revenues from City of Dreams Manila in the first quarter of 2026, reaching PHP486 million ($8 million), according to a filing with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The growth reflects the continued contribution of City of Dreams Manila to Belle’s earnings, driven by its stake in Premium Leisure Corp. (PLC), which holds the gaming revenue share through its subsidiary Premium Leisure and Amusement, Inc.

The increase comes amid a challenging operating environment for the Philippine gaming sector, as land-based casinos face intensifying competition from online platforms alongside fluctuations in inbound tourism.

City of Dreams Manila remains a key income driver for Belle, alongside stable lease revenues from the integrated resort’s land and buildings, which totaled PHP588 million ($9.7 million) during the period. The property, located in Entertainment City, is operated by Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corporation under a long-term lease agreement, with Belle acting as both landlord and gaming revenue participant.

Overall, Belle reported consolidated net income of PHP524 million ($8.6 million) for the three months ended March 31st, up 13 percent from PHP462 million ($7.6 million) a year earlier. Total revenues rose 9 percent year-on-year to PHP1.42 billion ($23.4 million), supported by higher contributions from both gaming and non-gaming segments.

Beyond its exposure to City of Dreams Manila, Belle’s real estate operations also recorded notable growth. Revenues from its Tagaytay Highlands developments increased by 57 percent to PHP143 million ($2.4 million), while income from distribution utilities rose 18 percent to PHP72 million ($1.2 million).

Meanwhile, Pacific Online Systems Corporation, a lottery equipment leasing business in which PLC holds a 50.1 percent stake, delivered stable revenues of PHP129 million ($2.1 million) for the quarter.

Belle Corporation is a Philippine-listed developer of gaming and leisure properties, with its core assets centered on City of Dreams Manila and premium residential developments in Tagaytay.

The company derives income from a combination of lease agreements, gaming revenue participation, and real estate sales, positioning it as a hybrid property and gaming investment vehicle within the Philippine market.

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