27th Annual AGEM & AGA Golf Classic by JCM Global highlights the success of responsible gaming

United States

AGBrief Editorial

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February 8, 2026

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27th Annual AGEM & AGA Golf Classic by JCM Global highlights the success of responsible gaming

Industry leaders unite to advance responsible gaming at the 27th Annual AGEM & AGA Golf Classic presented by JCM Global.

The Golf Classic will be hosted on May 6 at the SouthShore Country Club in Henderson, Nevada, as a fundraiser for the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG). Over the course of its history, the tournament has raised more than $3 million to help the ICRG continue its vital and groundbreaking research.

Registration is now open, and sponsorship and player opportunities are available at golf.jcmglobal.com on a first-come, first-served basis.

ICRG President Michael Soll emphasized the importance of the Golf Classic, stating, “Our strong partnership with JCM, AGA, and AGEM make this event – an ICRG mainstay – possible. Their efforts enable ground-breaking research into the effective treatment and prevention of gambling harms and provide the industry and its peers the tools necessary for conducting responsible gambling strategies.”

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and the American Gaming Association (AGA) return as title sponsors and JCM Global repeats as presenting sponsor. GGB Magazine is the media sponsor.

“We invite the industry to join us on May 6 at SouthShore Country Club for this one-of-a-kind golf experience and to drive the success of the ICRG,” said JCM SVP – Sales, Marketing & Operations Dave Kubajak. “For the past 27 years, it has been our honor at JCM Global to organize this philanthropic event that both supports the important work of the ICRG and unites the gaming industry with competitors standing side by side.”

SouthShore Country Club is the first private Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in Nevada, an inspiration that reaches the tops of ridges before falling away down rugged canyons to the sparkling lake below. The 6,903-yard championship course draws upon the area’s unique topography to provide a one-of-a-kind golfing experience.

There are multiple sponsorship levels available to accommodate any business. For information, visit golf.jcmglobal.com or contact [email protected]. The ICRG encourages individuals to consider including them in their annual charitable giving. For more information, visit ICRG.org.

According to official data cited by local Chinese-language outlet Cambodia China Times, authorities have investigated 190 suspected fraud-related locations and arrested 2,508 individuals linked to telecom scam operations since the beginning of 2026. During the sustained crackdown, multiple fraud centers reportedly disbanded on their own, while a total of 110,095 foreign nationals left the country.

The latest figures reflect the government’s “high-pressure” enforcement strategy, which officials say is designed to dismantle organized scam networks and prevent Cambodia from being used as a base for cross-border criminal activity. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to maintain strict oversight and continue large-scale inspections nationwide as the April deadline approaches.

Officials said the intensified campaign has already disrupted major telecom fraud operations and reduced their capacity to operate. Authorities attributed the surge in departures of foreign nationals partly to the closure of suspected scam compounds and tighter immigration controls introduced alongside the enforcement measures.

National Police Commissioner Sar Thet said the police force remains committed to carrying out Prime Minister Hun Manet’s directive to eradicate telecom fraud. Speaking at a review meeting at the Ministry of Interior, he said law enforcement agencies would maintain strong momentum and ensure that criminal groups are removed from the country in accordance with the law.

Hun Manet recently reiterated that authorities must adopt a “zero-tolerance” approach toward telecom fraud and related crimes. He warned that any officials found to be complicit would face strict legal consequences, emphasizing that the campaign is essential to safeguarding national security and social stability.

Separately, Ministry of Interior spokesperson Sok Touch confirmed that a nationwide “large-scale cleanup operation” is underway, with the objective of completing the crackdown by the end of April.

The campaign has also received international support. On February 7th, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin met with Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha and praised Cambodia’s firm enforcement efforts. Wang said China strongly supports Cambodia’s determination to eliminate telecom fraud and strengthen cooperation against cross-border crime.

It is also worth noting that cooperation between China and Cambodia in cracking down on scams reached a key turning point in early January, when Cambodian authorities arrested scam kingpin Chen Zhi and repatriated him to China. Following this case, Cambodia launched a high-profile nationwide crackdown on the online scam industry.

MGM China expands market share in 4Q25 as Macau performance strengthens: Seaport

Macau

Viviana Chan

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February 8, 2026

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MGM China expands market share in 4Q25 as Macau performance strengthens: Seaport

The brokerage said MGM China’s overall gross gaming revenue (GGR) share reached 16.4 percent in the quarter, reflecting gains of nearly 70 basis points year-on-year and 50 basis points quarter-on-quarter.

Senior Analyst Vitaly Umansky noted that MGM’s Macau operations benefited from steady mass-market reinvestment, resilient demand, and improved margins, even as operating costs continued to rise. The performance helped reinforce the group’s competitive position in a crowded market environment, with analysts maintaining a ‘Neutral’ rating on both MGM Resorts International and MGM China.

The report highlighted that Macau GGR rose 21 percent year-on-year to $1.1 billion in the quarter, outperforming the broader market. Property EBITDA after license fees increased 30 percent to $332 million, supported partly by favorable gaming hold in both VIP and mass segments.

Seaport said MGM’s fourth-quarter results reflected ‘robust’ execution in Macau, with mass player reinvestment as a percentage of drop remaining steady and market-wide reinvestment increases showing signs of stabilization.

Operating expenses in Macau increased 14 percent year-on-year and 13 percent quarter-on-quarter, in line with expectations, leading to a property EBITDA margin of 28.6 percent, compared with 26.8 percent a year earlier.

The brokerage attributed the sustained share gains to the company’s ‘revamped marketing and operational strategy’ at its Macau properties. Seaport said MGM’s market share remained ‘significantly higher than pre-COVID levels’ and projected that, while some moderation was likely, the group’s share would probably remain in the high 15 percent range over the coming year.

The firm also noted that high-end product enhancements, including the Alpha Club and upgraded villa offerings at MGM Macau, supported continued traction on the peninsula.

Revenue expected to outpace costs in 2026

Separately, analysts at CBRE said that despite investor concerns over rising operating expenses in Macau, MGM China is well-positioned to deliver further earnings growth in 2026.

While investors remain ‘skittish about Macau’s opex escalation (across the industry)’, CBRE said it believes ‘revenue will continue to outpace costs in 2026, leading to further EBITDA growth’.

The brokerage also highlighted that MGM China’s business continued to outperform market expectations in the fourth quarter, with adjusted property EBITDA reaching $332 million, above the consensus estimate of $293 million. CBRE noted that ‘even considering lucky hold in the quarter’, the company ‘still beat the Street’.

In addition, CBRE said Macau was ‘off to a strong start in 2026’ and expected ‘continued stability in MGM China’s market share’, reflecting sustained operating momentum at the group’s properties.

Analysts John DeCree and Max Marsh added that improving financial performance in Macau, together with structural enhancements such as branding upgrades and growing contributions from BetMGM dividends, is expected to support accelerating free cash flow in the coming years. This, CBRE said, should strengthen MGM China’s financial position and provide greater flexibility for future investment and shareholder returns.

Per-capita non-gaming spending of visitors stood at MOP2,104 ($263) in the fourth quarter, down 1 percent year-on-year but up 7.9 percent quarterly. Shopping accounted for 45.4 percent of total visitor spending, followed by accommodation at 25 percent and food and beverages at 20.6 percent. Visitors attending MICE events recorded the highest per-capita spending at MOP4,821 ($602) during the quarter.

For the full year 2025, total non-gaming spending by visitors grew 6.3 percent year-on-year to MOP80.12 billion ($10.0 billion). Overnight visitors contributed MOP63.31 billion ($7.9 billion), up 1.6 percent, while same-day visitors spent MOP16.81 billion ($2.1 billion), marking a 28.9 percent increase.

However, annual per-capita non-gaming spending declined 7.3 percent year-on-year to MOP2,000 ($250), indicating that the budget visitor trend continued throughout the year.

By source market, per-capita spending decreased for visitors from the Chinese mainland (MOP2,245, down 10.3 percent), Hong Kong (MOP988, down 2.1 percent), and international markets (MOP2,064, down 3.5 percent), while Taiwan visitors’ spending increased 6.7 percent to MOP2,083 ($260). MICE visitors maintained the highest per-capita spending at MOP4,572 ($571) for the full year.

The fourth quarter performance points to Macau’s ongoing recovery in its tourism sector, with visitor arrivals increasing 15.4 percent year-on-year to 10.4 million during the period. For 2025, total visitor arrivals reached 40.07 million, up 14.7 percent from the previous year.

Sportradar rolls out “Custom Bet” feature ahead of Men’s T20 World Cup

Elsewhere

AGBrief Editorial

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February 6, 2026

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Sportradar rolls out “Custom Bet” feature ahead of Men’s T20 World Cup

Sportradar has announced the launch of Custom Bet, a new bet‑builder feature within its Premium Cricket Services, debuting ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka next month, one of the year’s most‑watched cricket events.

Custom Bet is a flexible bet builder that allows fans to design their own wagers by combining selections across player performances, team milestones, and match events in a single bet slip. Sixteen additional markets are also now available, including top batter and bowler in both innings and match, highest first over, highest opening partnership, match fours and sixes.

The feature is now available pre-match across all top-tier men’s T20 fixtures globally. Built on Sportradar’s industry-leading cricket APIs, Custom Bet can be implemented by operators already using Sportradar cricket betting solutions.

Will Winzor, Head of Premium Cricket Services at Sportradar, said, “Cricket’s complexity has historically made it challenging to deliver a comprehensive betting portfolio. By leveraging our Premium Cricket Services and advanced APIs, Custom Bet ensures operators can deliver these complex, data-driven betting options reliably and at scale, while providing fans a more entertaining experience.”

MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle highlighted that “MGM China remains a strong outperformer […] We achieved a 16.5 percent market share during the fourth quarter and impressively maintained share of over 16 percent for the share level for an annual period as our operating team continues to command with a premium mass customer driving the market.”

Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts, CEO, President — _{Bill Hornbuckle, CEO, MGM Resorts}

Jonathan Halkyard, MGM Resorts International CFO — _{Bill Hornbuckle, CEO, MGM Resorts}

The CFO noted that the market share comes despite a “relentless competitive environment” in Macau, “but our team has consistently maintained mid-high 20s margins with their focus on maintaining high service levels while anticipating evolving customer tastes and preferences.”

MGM China CEO Kenneth Feng reiterated this, noting that “MGM China margin has always been in mid- to high-20s as we guided. We always delivered what we said for the past few years.”

Branding agreement

The strong results from MGM China are also helping justify the group’s move to increase the value of its branding agreement – helping contribute cash to its parent company’s investment plans and share repurchases.

Under a 20-year branding agreement which came into effect January 1^st, MGM China saw its monthly licensing fee rise from 1.75 percent (of its adjusted consolidated net monthly revenue) to 3.5 percent, with MGM Resorts receiving approximately two-thirds of the license fee.

CFO Halkyard noted that “The brand has proven its value over time, helping drive MGM China’s market share and EBITDA, both of which have almost doubled since 2019. The renewal terms also result in greater cash flow generated for MGM Resorts, which, if we use 2025 results, would represent over $50 million in incremental cash flow to our company”.

The executive furthered that “We remain highly confident in the long-term growth prospects in Macau and remain aligned with the MGM China shareholders”.

MGM Osaka on track for 2030 opening

MGM-Orix, Osaka Integrated Resort, Japan

The extra cash gives MGM Resorts more room to invest and repurchase shares, with Halkyard noting “with our level of free cash flow and now the distributions we’re getting from MGM China and BetMGM, we can afford to invest in our properties, invest in MGM Osaka, as well as repurchase shares.”

MGM Osaka is set to open in 2030 and CEO Bill Hornbuckle said that the company believes the property “will be the world’s largest integrated resort upon opening”.

The executive furthered that “construction remains on time and on budget”, and that “currently, about 20 percent of the foundation piles have been installed or completed, and the project remains on track to open in 2030″.

Good Morning. In the Macau jungle, the lion does not sleep tonight. MGM China again gave competitors a run for their money in the fourth quarter, with its MGM Cotai property delivering $785 million in revenue and boasting a 55 percent increase in adjusted EBITDA. Macau peninsula growth remained slow, but contributed well to the 23 percent rise in the group’s casino revenue. Also in Macau, junket operations are still a thing, with a slight uptick in licensed operators from last year, but far below the total quota. And in the Philippines, Hann Online has debuted after a rapid-fire development and deployment period entrusted to PhilWeb.

What you need to know

MGM Cotai brought in $785 million in revenue in 4Q25, with adjusted EBITDA rising by 55 percent yearly, boosting Macau results.
PhilWeb debuts Hann Online platform in partnership with Hann Casino – designed, built and deployed within just two weeks.
The number of licensed gaming promoters (junkets) in Macau increased slightly this year but falls far short of the allowed total.

On the radar

Macau’s Grand Emperor Hotel sells gold bricks in lobby for $11.55M.
MGM China 4Q25 results surpass projections: Jefferies.
Macau gaming regulator: foreign-player revenue subject to daily checks.
Macau records over 2,300 gaming crime cases in 2025, up 62.6%.
Macau airport forecasts passenger rebound after 1.6% decline in 2025.
Interblock searches for new CEO after John Connelly resigns.

AGB Intelligence

RESULTS

MGM Cotai sees 55% EBITDA increase in 4Q25

The lion roared in MGM Cotai in the fourth quarter, with MGM China seeing its jewelry box-shaped property deliver a 55 percent yearly increase in adjusted EBITDA, boosted by $785 million in revenue. MGM’s casino revenue from the gaming hub rose by 23 percent in the quarter, to $1.08 billion, despite slower growth from the peninsula.

Industry Updates

Wynn Resorts earns 18th straight spot on FORTUNE’s Most Admired list.
TxODDS forecasts nearly $4 billion in Super Bowl LX betting activity.
Sportradar and Betfred extend partnership to reinforce retail betting strategy.

INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS | EVENTS

While VIP table games turnover was down slightly year-on-year, to HK$22.83 billion ($2.92 billion), VIP gross table games win increased by 58.39 percent yearly, to HK$1.1 billion ($141.8 million), with an average daily gross win per VIP gaming table of HK$241,000 ($30,800), up 60.77 percent yearly.

Main floor table games drop was up 27.84 percent yearly, to HK$17.49 billion ($2.23 billion), with a win of HK$5.25 billion ($672.14 million), a yearly increase of 28.62 percent and main floor tables seeing HK$163,300 ($20,900) in average daily gross win, a rise of 30.64 percent.

Slots also held their own during the quarter, with HK$10.19 billion ($1.3 billion) in handle, up 22.82 percent, and a gross win of HK$411.61 million ($52.68 million) and an average daily win per slot of HK$4,500 ($576).

During the quarter, the property operated 405 tables and 1,001 slot machines and had 94 percent hotel room occupancy.

Macau

Main floor table games drop at the peninsula property failed to impress, with just a 1.58 percent yearly increase to HK$14.02 billion ($1.79 billion), while the win rose to HK$3.31 billion ($423.86 million), up by 8.39 percent yearly. Average daily win per table was HK$112,400 ($14,380), up 61.3 percent.

VIP table games turnover, however, was up by 41.12 percent at the property, hitting HK$7.8 billion ($999 million), even though win fell by 11.08 percent yearly to HK$217.45 million ($27.83 million), and average daily win per table was down to HK$107,200 ($13,720) – a fall of 9.23 percent.

The slot handle at the Macau property fell slightly, to HK$7.8 billion ($998.5 million), with a yearly drop in gross win to HK$241.39 million ($30.9 million) and an average daily win of HK$2,600 ($332) per slot – down 21.2 percent yearly.

During the quarter, MGM Macau operated 345 tables and 1,044 slot machines and had 92.8 percent hotel room occupancy.

27th Annual AGEM & AGA Golf Classic by JCM Global highlights the success of responsible gaming

Industry leaders unite to advance responsible gaming at the 27th Annual AGEM & AGA Golf Classic presented by JCM Global.

Table of Contents

Cambodia denies Philippine fugitive Atong Ang is in the country

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared that Charlie Tiu Hay Ang, also known as Atong Ang, is not in Cambodia.

Cambodia targets nationwide telecom fraud elimination by end-April

Cambodia is intensifying its nationwide campaign against telecom and online fraud, aiming to eliminate such criminal activities by the end of April, according to senior law enforcement officials.

Macau’s visitor non-gaming spending rises 14.2% in 4Q25

Macau’s total non-gaming spending by visitors increased 14.2 percent year-on-year to MOP21.87 billion ($2.73 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to data released by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).

Sportradar rolls out “Custom Bet” feature ahead of Men’s T20 World Cup

Sportradar has announced the launch of Custom Bet, a new bet‑builder feature within its Premium Cricket Services, debuting ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka next month, one of the year’s most‑watched cricket events.

Table of Contents

MGM China “very, very optimistic” for Chinese New Year: CEO Kenneth Feng

After posting record EBITDA results for 4Q25 and full-year 2025, MGM China is gearing up for a strong boost from Chinese New Year for its first quarter results.

Table of Contents

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: MGM Cotai EBITDA up by 55% yearly in 4Q25

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

RESULTS

MGM Cotai sees 55% EBITDA increase in 4Q25

Industry Updates

Table of Contents

MGM Cotai EBITDA up by 55% yearly, with strong rise in VIP table games win

Casino revenue for MGM China increased significantly in the fourth quarter of last year, with a 23 percent yearly rise to $1.08 billion, as its Cotai property roared.

Cotai

Macau

Table of Contents

ENQUIRIES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

CONTACTS

FOLLOW AGB

Industry leaders unite to advance responsible gaming at the 27th Annual AGEM & AGA Golf Classic presented by JCM Global.

Table of Contents

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared that Charlie Tiu Hay Ang, also known as Atong Ang, is not in Cambodia.

Cambodia is intensifying its nationwide campaign against telecom and online fraud, aiming to eliminate such criminal activities by the end of April, according to senior law enforcement officials.

MGM China further expanded its market share in Macau during the fourth quarter of 2025, supported by stable reinvestment levels and improved operational performance, according to Seaport Research.

Revenue expected to outpace costs in 2026

Table of Contents

Macau’s total non-gaming spending by visitors increased 14.2 percent year-on-year to MOP21.87 billion ($2.73 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to data released by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).

Sportradar has announced the launch of Custom Bet, a new bet‑builder feature within its Premium Cricket Services, debuting ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka next month, one of the year’s most‑watched cricket events.

Table of Contents

Record-high 2025 fourth quarter and full-year adjusted EBITDA by MGM China saw it earn high praise from its parent company in its post-results earning call, with MGM Resorts International’s CFO Jonathan Halkyard saying “MGM China just crushed it this quarter”.

Branding agreement

MGM Osaka on track for 2030 opening

Table of Contents

After posting record EBITDA results for 4Q25 and full-year 2025, MGM China is gearing up for a strong boost from Chinese New Year for its first quarter results.

Table of Contents

What you need to know

On the radar

RESULTS

Industry Updates

Table of Contents

Casino revenue for MGM China increased significantly in the fourth quarter of last year, with a 23 percent yearly rise to $1.08 billion, as its Cotai property roared.

Cotai

Macau

Table of Contents

ENQUIRIES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

CONTACTS