Good Morning. More satellites in the sky and less on the ground. For SJM, the closure of its satellite casino operations throughout last year had a significant impact, with the company registering a $55 million loss for FY25. However, its Cotai property, Grand Lisboa Palace, saw positive upticks, while redeployment of the group’s tables and opening of new gaming areas aim to boost revenues this year. In Australia, a federal court judge has ruled that former The Star CE Matt Bekier is liable for not mitigating junket-related risks, especially those of former Macau top-junket Suncity. Also in legal news, SkyCity is facing a lawsuit, challenging the legality of its online casino and ‘monies lost’ to it.
1xBet was honored with the Best on Mobile 2026 award at SiGMA Africa 2026, reinforcing its technological leadership by delivering an African‑focused platform that blends global expertise with deep product localization for an exceptional user experience.
The global betting company 1xBet actively participated in the exhibition, emphasizing the strategic importance of the African region. As part of SiGMA Africa 2026, there were business meetings, startup presentations, exclusive networking dinners, and an awards ceremony for the best iGaming companies.
In the region, mobile gaming on smartphones and tablets is very popular, so players prefer 1xBet’s mobile-first platform. The company has an adaptive website and full mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. They use less data than the regular desktop version and work even with unstable internet connections. The expert jury praised these advantages and the effective UX/UI design, awarding 1xBet the prestigious prize.
“Mobile technology development is an important part of our global strategy, and this win shows we are heading in the right direction. We are grateful to the professional community for its recognition and trust. This award motivates us to improve our mobile products and drive innovation with even more energy,” said a 1xBet representative on the recognition.
The global betting company 1xBet was in the spotlight not only at the awards ceremony but throughout the SiGMA Africa forum. At the prestigious exhibition, the brand’s team ran a booth that became a key hub for sharing experience, insights, and contacts with leading digital marketing experts.
The African iGaming market is growing fast and already has valuable experience. High player activity, a focus on mobile-first platforms, updated regulations, and a unique payment infrastructure provide a strong foundation that attracts operators and affiliate network participants worldwide, including 1xAffiliates.
It has been in the market for over 10 years and is available in 150+ countries. More than 500,000 partners appreciate 1xAffiliates’ benefits, including lifetime commissions of up to 50% for referred players and access to over 250 payment tools.
The growth of the affiliate sector naturally complements the company’s overall technology direction and strengthens its position internationally. In the fast-moving digital iGaming industry, mobile solutions largely determine a brand’s competitiveness. That’s why the Best Mobile 2026 award and 1xBet’s active role at SiGMA Africa highlight its strategic focus on innovation and mobile technology, laying the foundation for further global development.
Amongst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Wynn Al Marjan Island operator Wynn Resorts is offering employees additional housing options and the option to work remotely from abroad.
In response to AGB inquiries, the gaming operator noted that the additional housing options are ‘to help employees and their families feel more secure and comfortable’.
In addition, affected employees have ‘the option of working remotely from abroad if their home embassy has advised them to leave the country’.
In response to AGB inquiries as to whether the employees will be evacuated from the UAE in the case of further conflict, Wynn Resorts indicated that ‘for the safety and security of our employees, we will not publicly disclose their housing, details of their work, or any travel arrangements’.
The operator also referred to a referred to a recommendation by the UAE Supreme Council for National Security which indicates that residents should ‘carry out your usual activities, while exercising caution and care, and follow instructions and news from official sources’.
The authority furthered that ‘monitoring remains continuous and all measures in place are focused on protecting the community and maintaining the highest levels of preparedness’.
The authority, on March 1st, noted that ‘The United Arab Emirates is confident in emerging from this period stronger and more resilient’.
The United States Embassy & Consulate in the UAE on March 3rd issued a release recommending all Americans in the UAE ‘shelter in place’.
The embassy furthered that ‘the Iranian regime has publicly stated its intention to target locations in the UAE that are associated with the United States’.
An unnamed party has commenced legal proceedings against New Zealand and Australia gaming operator SkyCity to ‘test the lawfulness’ of its online gaming operations.
According to a Friday filing by the company, the proceedings relate to online gaming operations operated by Silvereye Entertainment Limited, a third party based in Malta and licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority.
Silvereye operates online gaming ‘on behalf of an overseas subsidiary of SkyCity (SkyCity Online)’.
The filing furthers that ‘the proceedings include an application for leave to bring the proceedings as a funded class action in respect of gambling monies lost to SkyCity Online between February 2020 and February 2026’.
According to the company, ‘SkyCity denies any such liability and will actively defend the proceedings’.
SkyCity Online Casino is operated by Gaming Innovation Group on behalf of SkyCity Malta Limited – an independently operated subsidiary of SkyCity Entertainment Group. The platform provides over 1,900 games including pokies, classic table games and live casino.
On its website, SkyCity notes that ‘what truly sets SkyCity Online Casino apart is our unwavering commitment to integrity and player satisfaction’.
The SkyCity Online Casino website is operated by Silvereye Entertainment Limited, which is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority under the license MGA/B2C/880/2021.
China has set a gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of 4.5 percent to 5 percent for 2026, the lowest in 35 years, as the world’s second-largest economy grapples with slowing momentum and structural challenges.
The target was announced by Premier Li Qiang during the opening session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on Thursday.
Delivering the government’s annual work report, Li acknowledged mounting economic pressures while emphasizing the need to maintain stability. The new target follows last year’s 5 percent growth goal and signals a more cautious outlook as China’s traditional growth model faces limits amid property sector weakness, local government debt pressures and uncertain global demand.
Slower economic expansion could have broader implications for tourism and gaming markets across Asia, particularly those heavily reliant on Chinese visitors. Weaker income growth and cautious consumer sentiment may affect discretionary spending, including travel, luxury consumption and gambling activity.
Jurisdictions such as Macau, the Philippines, Singapore and Cambodia have historically benefited from strong demand from mainland Chinese players, making their gaming revenues closely linked to China’s economic cycle.
In Macau, the outlook for mainland demand comes as Beijing continues urging the city to diversify its economy beyond gaming. During a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, senior official Xia Baolong called on the Macau government to more actively promote moderate economic diversification, particularly through the development of the Hengqin cooperation zone and new industries aligned with national development priorities.
A recent report by Fitch Ratings also highlights slowing growth expectations across China’s provinces. According to the analysis, more than half of China’s 31 provinces have lowered their economic growth targets for 2026, with 22 provinces setting goals in the 4.5 percent to 5 percent range. The report notes that local fiscal recovery remains gradual, with operating revenues expected to grow modestly while government spending remains tightly controlled.
Guangdong — China’s largest provincial economy and a key source of outbound tourism to Macau — is among the regions maintaining relatively stronger targets despite missing previous growth goals.
Global sports betting and gaming group Entain recorded an 8 percent increase in net gaming revenue for FY25, totaling GBP6.4 billion ($8.55 billion), boosted by its 50 percent share of BetMGM.
BetMGM saw a 33 percent yearly increase in revenue in constant currency (cc) terms, to $2.79 billion, with Online Sports revenue growth of 63 percent (cc) and iGaming up 24 percent (cc).
Looking to APAC, the group’s Australia operations saw a 6 percent (cc) drop in net gaming revenue (NGR), ‘with positive year-on-year volume growth in H2 offset by customer friendly sports results’. Australia operations generated 8 percent of the group’s NGR during the year.
New Zealand contributed 3 percent of NGR in 2025, with yearly revenue growth of 19 percent. Entain is looking to boost its revenue from New Zealand, hoping to buy up several online casino licenses when they’re on offer later this year.
The figures helped International NGR rise by 2 percent (cc) yearly to GBP2.64 billion ($3.53 billion), however underlying EBITDA fell by 5 percent yearly to GBP565 million ($755.07 million). International sports wagers were down slightly year-on-year to GBP12.37 billion ($16.53 billion), with Sports NGR down 3 percent yearly to GBP1.46 billion ($1.95 billion) and Gaming NGR up by 3 percent to GBP1.03 billion ($1.38 billion).
The Online segment generated most of International NGR, totaling GBP2.32 billion ($3.1 billion), down from GBP2.33 billion in FY24, while underlying EBITDA fell by 7 percent yearly to GBP517 million ($3.22 billion). International Retail NGR rose 3 percent yearly, to GBP318 million ($424.98 million), despite sports wagers in the segment falling 3 percent yearly to GBP1.54 billion ($2.06 billion). Sports Retail NGR was up 3 percent to GBP289 million ($386.22 million), while Gaming NGR fell by 9 percent to GBP14 million ($18.71 million).
Looking ahead, the group is expecting is expecting FY26 Online NGR, excluding the US, to rise by 5-7 percent (cc).
Speaking of the results, Stella David, CEO of Entain noted that “I am excited about the future as we evolve our strategic priorities, accelerate our performance, and maintain our focus on sustainable growth and cash generation. I am confident in Entain’s ability to deliver at least GBP500 million ($668.21 million) of annual adjusted cashflow from 2028.”
SJM Holdings said it will terminate the agreement allowing the New Yaohan department store to operate at its Grand Lisboa Palace resort in Macau, with the arrangement set to end on December 31st, 2026.
According to a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on March 5th, SJM Resorts and NYH Gestão de Vendas a Retalho Limitada (NYH), the operator of the New Yaohan store, have mutually agreed to end the Right to Use a Shop Agreement, which will formally terminate on January 1st, 2027.
The agreement covers a retail space on the second floor of the Grand Lisboa Palace shopping mall, where the NY8 New Yaohan department store has been operating since its opening in November 2021.
As part of the termination arrangement, NYH will pay SJM Resorts approximately HK$31.9 million ($4.08 million) through a combination of security deposit offsets, vouchers redeemable at New Yaohan or related businesses, and a cash payment.
Under the agreement, the retailer will also be required to reinstate the premises to their original condition and return possession to SJM within 60 days after the contract expires.
SJM said the move is intended to allow the company to better utilize the retail space and strengthen the integrated resort’s competitiveness.
‘Upon termination and the return of the premises by NYH, SJM Resorts intends to enhance the integrated resort offerings that better align with evolving consumer preferences’, the company said, adding that the adjustment is expected to support the long-term development of the Grand Lisboa Palace ecosystem.
Located within the Cotai integrated resort, NY8 New Yaohan was designed as a flagship department store concept featuring a Western-style gourmet supermarket, fashion and lifestyle retail, and a children’s themed shopping area.
Services agreement with STDM renewed
In the same filing, SJM also announced it has renewed its products and services master agreement with controlling shareholder STDM for a further 12 months from January 1st, 2026.
Under the renewed agreement, the STDM Group will continue providing services to SJM including hotel accommodation, promotional and advertising support, food and beverage supply, transportation, maintenance, laundry and hotel management services.
For 2026, SJM set new annual caps for several service categories. The annual cap for hotel accommodation services is set at HK$96.6 million ($12.35 million), compared with HK$63.5 million ($8.12 million) in 2025. The cap for promotional and advertising services is set at HK$27.3 million ($3.49 million).
SJM said the services agreement facilitates the provision of accommodation, promotional and related services for gaming patrons and hotel guests, and forms part of the group’s ordinary course of business.
The company also approved new annual caps for transactions under its long-standing chips agreement with STDM through 2028, allowing the continued redemption of STDM-issued casino chips that remain in circulation in the market.
Logifuture, known for its virtual sports and instant‑win B2B gaming solutions, has entered a strategic partnership with BetConstruct AI that will integrate its flagship products Zoom Sports and Simulate into BetConstruct AI’s global platform, expanding access to next‑generation engagement products for operators worldwide.
A Worldwide Partnership
BetConstruct AI’s platform powers hundreds of operators globally across sportsbook and casino verticals. The addition of Logifuture’s content strengthens its ecosystem with always-available entertainment designed to increase player activity and generate incremental revenue.
Zoom Sports delivers continuous ultra-realistic virtual football and tennis events in both full-length and turbo formats, creating thousands of additional betting opportunities every day. Simulate allows players to instantly simulate the outcome of their betslips, removing the waiting time of real events and creating immediate engagement.
Together, the products enhance operator retention, extend betting activity beyond live events, and create new cross-sell potential across the BetConstruct AI network.
Driving Innovation Together
Both companies share a strong focus on innovation and product differentiation, bringing fresh formats and new engagement mechanics to operators looking to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
Commenting on the partnership, Niccolò Cassettari, CBDO at Logifuture, said: “Partnering with BetConstruct AI is a major step forward for Logifuture. Their global reach and market leadership make them the perfect partner to scale Zoom Sports and Simulate worldwide. We are extremely proud to collaborate with such a major industry player. This is only the beginning of what we believe will be a long-term and highly successful partnership, working closely together to bring new experiences and stronger performance to operators globally.”
This partnership marks the start of a close collaboration between the two teams, focused on expanding distribution and delivering new gaming experiences to operators worldwide.
Both companies will work together to continue introducing innovative products that keep players engaged and help operators grow their business.
SOFTSWISS has announced a new LinkedIn Live Panel Series that will run throughout the year, offering discussions on product capabilities, regional market updates, and key industry trends.
First Live Panel: Talents Strategy in Focus – 20 March 2026
The inaugural session, Stop Losing Talent: Seven Smart Steps for Hiring in 2026, was selected through a LinkedIn poll, positioning talent strategy as the starting point of the series, and will take place on 20 March at 13:00 CEST on LinkedIn Live. Organised in partnership with Pentasia, a recruitment consultancy specialising in iGaming and digital sectors, the session will explore how companies can attract, secure, and retain high-impact professionals in an increasingly competitive and cross-border talent market.
The Live Panel will present seven practical steps for strengthening talent acquisition strategy, examine common and less visible hiring gaps, and analyse real examples of effective and ineffective approaches in today’s environment.
Ahead of the session, SOFTSWISS and Pentasia invite industry professionals to submit questions for the panel. Submissions may be directed to a specific speaker or to the broader topic, with selected questions addressed live during the webinar.
The LinkedIn Live Panel Series responds to the industry’s growing demand for experience-driven discussions around operational and strategic challenges. The initiative expands SOFTSWISS’ expert engagement with the global iGaming community and provides a structured format for addressing practical business issues. Throughout 2026, the series will deliver applied insights relevant to operators across regulated markets.
Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS / CBDO at SOFTSWISS, said: “The LinkedIn Live Panel Series is part of our broader commitment to industry thought leadership. We see it as a platform for structured, experience-driven discussion around the challenges operators face today. Our focus is not only on sharing expertise, but on contributing to a more informed and transparent professional dialogue across the iGaming sector.”
2026 iGaming Talent Trends Report
The Live Panel session will be based on insights from the upcoming 2026 iGaming Talent Trends report, developed by SOFTSWISS in partnership with Pentasia. The report combines SOFTSWISS’ operational expertise across regulated markets with Pentasia’s recruitment data, direct access to senior-level talent networks, and insights based on survey responses from 90+ B2B and B2C leaders.
By combining SOFTSWISS’ operational market expertise with Pentasia’s global hiring intelligence and real-world recruitment data, the report serves as a practical guide for companies building resilient hiring strategies in a rapidly evolving global market.
SJM Holdings reported a loss attributable to owners of HK$429 million ($54.9 million) for the year ended December 31st, 2025, reversing a small profit recorded a year earlier.
According to financial results released on Thursday, the company’s adjusted EBITDA declined 15 percent to HK$3.2 billion ($409.2 million) amid operational restructuring tied to Macau’s evolving regulatory framework and the closure of satellite casinos.
The Macau legacy gaming operator said total net revenue reached HK$28.17 billion ($3.6 billion) in 2025, down 2.1 percent from 2024, while net gaming revenue fell 2.4 percent year-on-year to HK$26.2 billion ($3.35 billion). Income from hotel, catering, retail, leasing and related services increased 4.7 percent to HK$2.29 billion ($293 million).
The company attributed the weaker performance primarily to structural adjustments during the year as Macau’s gaming sector continued its gradual recovery following the pandemic period.
According to official figures, Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached MOP247.4 billion ($30.9 billion) in 2025, representing a 9.1 percent year-on-year increase, highlighting the competitive environment weighing on operators in the city.
Satellite casino closures reshape operations
The phasing out of satellite casinos represented one of the most significant operational developments during the year.
Management said the group’s results were ‘shaped by the progressive closure of satellite casinos in accordance with Macau’s updated regulatory framework’, adding that the process ‘resulted in short-term revenue dislocation’ and placed pressure on profitability during the transition period.
As of December 31st, 2024, SJM operated nine satellite casinos, including Casino Casa Real, Casino Landmark, Casino Fortuna and Casino Grandview. During 2025, however, the company progressively closed most of these venues in line with Macau’s updated concession rules, which require satellite casinos to transition or cease operations following a three-year adjustment period.
Satellite casinos had historically represented a meaningful portion of SJM’s gaming footprint. In 2025, they generated HK$9.77 billion ($1.25 billion) in gross gaming revenue.
By the end of 2025, eight of the nine satellite casinos had ceased operations. Casino L’Arc Macau was converted into a self-promoted casino after SJM acquired the L’Arc Hotel property late in the year.
Management noted that the majority of closures took place in the second half of the year, particularly in the fourth quarter, creating a temporary disruption in revenue streams. Following the closures, the company redeployed gaming tables and operational resources to directly operated properties as part of its operational consolidation strategy.
GLP revenue rises 12% but EBITDA plunges 67%
SJM’s flagship Cotai integrated resort, Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP), recorded gross revenue of HK$7.37 billion ($942 million) in 2025, representing an increase of 12.1 percent from 2024.
The total included HK$6.07 billion ($776 million) in gaming revenue and HK$1.31 billion ($168 million) from non-gaming operations. Gaming revenue rose from HK$5.24 billion ($670 million) a year earlier, while non-gaming revenue edged slightly down from HK$1.34 billion ($171 million).
Despite the revenue growth, the property’s Adjusted Property EBITDA fell sharply to HK$165 million ($21.1 million) from HK$499 million ($63.8 million) a year earlier, representing a decline of HK$334 million ($42.7 million), or 66.9 percent, year-on-year.
Hotel performance at the resort remained strong, with occupancy reaching 96.5 percent for the full year. The average room rate rose 4.1 percent to HK$1,240 ($159).
On the Macau Peninsula, the Grand Lisboa property generated gross revenue of HK$7.7 billion ($985 million), including HK$7.55 billion ($965 million) from gaming operations.
Adjusted Property EBITDA fell to HK$1.76 billion ($225 million) from HK$2.09 billion ($267 million) in the prior year.
Hotel metrics at Grand Lisboa remained resilient. Occupancy averaged 98.2 percent, while the average daily room rate increased 13.8 percent to HK$1,395 ($178).
Strategic repositioning underway
SJM said it has begun integrating former satellite customers into its directly operated portfolio and expanding gaming capacity at key properties.
Management noted that redeployment initiatives included the introduction of new gaming areas at Grand Lisboa Palace and the phased development of gaming facilities at the Lisboa complex.
The company also highlighted continued investment in non-gaming attractions aligned with Macau’s economic diversification strategy, stating it hosted or participated in nearly 70 large-scale events across areas such as gastronomy, sports, culture and MICE activities during the year.
‘With the structural effects of satellite closures largely absorbed and redeployment initiatives completed’, the company said it will focus on improving operating efficiency, strengthening its customer base and enhancing property offerings in the coming years.
