Blurify, a software development company specializing in advanced technology solutions for the iGaming industry, has launched Openora, an AI-native framework designed to help operators build, extend, modernise, and migrate their platforms rapidly.
Openora provides an open foundation that can be extended and adapted to individual business, market and regulatory requirements. Rather than replacing an operator’s entire technology stack, the framework enables new capabilities to be introduced alongside existing systems, allowing platforms to evolve incrementally as business needs change.
Unlike traditional gaming platforms, Openora has been designed with AI at the core of its architecture. The framework includes AI-readable project context, development rules, instructions and task-specific skills that enable AI agents to understand the platform more quickly. This supports engineering teams with implementing new features, modifying existing modules, maintaining the system and accelerating day-to-day software development.
Openora can be self-hosted, allowing operators to avoid recurring GGR share models and hidden transactional fees typically associated with traditional platform providers. Through its composable architecture, individual modules and integrations can be introduced into existing technology stacks, while operators retain control of their business logic, player data, infrastructure and security configuration.
Built around a modular architecture, Openora by Blurify, gives engineering teams at sportsbooks, casinos, affiliates and prediction markets the flexibility to shape their own frontend, integrations and business logic. This enables operators to introduce new capabilities faster, responding to changing business and regulatory requirements without waiting for platform-wide redevelopment projects.
Adam Mateja
Adam Mateja, Founder & CEO of Blurify, said: “Over the past few years, we’ve worked with operators across multiple markets and kept encountering the same problem. Businesses wanted to move faster, launch new capabilities and enter new markets, but their platforms couldn’t always keep pace. Too often, the choice was between living with legacy technology or committing to a costly, high-risk replatforming project.
“We believe there should be a better option. One that gives operators the freedom to modernise, innovate and grow without surrendering control of their technology. That’s what Openora is designed to deliver. Whether they’re looking to build, extend, modernise or migrate, Openora gives operators the flexibility to move forward on their own terms.”
Sands China has introduced its inaugural Responsible Gaming Youth Talent Development Programme, a new initiative under the Sands China Responsible Gaming Academy designed to empower local university students with knowledge, practical experience, and a deeper understanding of responsible gaming.
Developed in collaboration with the University of Macau’s Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming (ISCG) and the Youth Volunteers Association of Macau (AJVM), the programme represents Sands China’s first responsible gaming initiative built on an industry-academia-community partnership model. The project supports the Macao SAR government’s responsible gaming objectives while helping nurture a new generation of socially responsible talent for the city’s integrated tourism and leisure sector.
The programme combines professional training, proposal development, and international learning opportunities to provide students with both theoretical and practical exposure to responsible gaming. Through the initiative, participants are encouraged to develop innovative approaches to public education, community engagement, and responsible gaming awareness.
Interest in the programme was strong, with approximately 150 University of Macau students applying to participate. Following a competitive selection process, 32 students were chosen to join the first phase of training.
Working in teams, participants developed original responsible gaming promotion proposals covering areas such as community outreach, interactive learning experiences, social media engagement, digital tools, financial literacy, and risk-awareness education.
The most outstanding teams advanced to the programme’s next stage, joining representatives from Sands China, ISCG, and AJVM on a four-day educational study tour to Singapore. The 23-member delegation explored international responsible gaming practices and exchanged insights with industry professionals and community stakeholders.
A key highlight of the tour was a visit to Marina Bay Sands, where students engaged with responsible gaming and operational teams to gain first-hand understanding of integrated resort practices. The delegation also visited the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and WE CARE Community Services, learning about Singapore’s comprehensive approach to responsible gaming, including governance frameworks, public awareness initiatives, customer support systems, and community partnerships.
Beyond the educational experience, the programme created a platform for meaningful collaboration among the corporate, academic, and community sectors. Through student-led proposals and cross-border exchanges, participants gained valuable perspectives on responsible gaming from the viewpoints of youth, researchers, social organisations, and industry practitioners. These insights are expected to contribute to future responsible gaming education and youth development efforts in Macao.
Dr. Wilfred Wong
Dr. Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd., said the programme reflects the company’s continued commitment to supporting Macao’s responsible gaming objectives and investing in youth development.
“By bringing together resources from the corporate, academic, and community sectors, we are providing students with experiential learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom,” he said. “We hope participants will share their knowledge within their schools and communities, helping to promote responsible gaming while developing a stronger sense of social responsibility and global awareness.”
Professor Davis Fong
Professor Davis Fong, Director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau, noted that the Singapore study tour allowed students to connect classroom learning with real-world industry practices.
“Students were able to observe how responsible gaming measures are implemented in integrated resort environments and compare their own ideas with established international approaches,” he said. “The experience offered valuable insights into the similarities and differences between responsible gaming strategies in Macao and Singapore.”
Austin Vong, President of the Youth Volunteers Association of Macau, highlighted the programme’s structured approach to youth development.
“Through training, competition, and overseas exchange, participants move from understanding responsible gaming concepts to creating practical solutions and gaining first-hand international experience,” he said. “Our objective is to encourage more young people to become advocates for responsible gaming within the community.”
For participant Zhao Zhuofan, a first-year Master of Science in Financial Technology student at the University of Macau, the programme demonstrated the importance of collaboration among government, businesses, and community organisations in promoting responsible gaming.
“The study tour broadened our horizons and inspired us to explore innovative, youth-oriented approaches to responsible gaming education and community engagement,” Zhao said.
The new initiative builds on Sands China’s longstanding commitment to responsible gaming and professional development in Macao. The company introduced a self-exclusion programme in 2004 and incorporated responsible gaming into employee orientation training in 2007.
In 2025, Sands China further strengthened its efforts with the launch of the Responsible Gaming Academy, one of eight academies under the Sands China Academy framework, providing specialised training and educational opportunities in partnership with local and international academic institutions.
Looking ahead, Sands China said it will continue working with government, educational institutions, and community organisations to enhance responsible gaming awareness, support talent development, and promote a healthy and sustainable gaming environment in Macao.
Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) is expected to fall 5 percent year on year to MOP21.0 billion ($2.60 billion) in July, although the market should continue recovering as the World Cup schedule winds down, according to Citigroup.
The brokerage estimated that GGR reached about MOP7.3 billion ($904 million) in the first 12 days of the month. Average daily revenue rose to approximately MOP621 million ($76.9 million) during the previous week, up 5 percent from about MOP590 million ($73.0 million) per day in the first five days of July.
Citigroup analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau attributed the improvement to fewer soccer matches, with eight games played during the previous week compared with 14 in the first five days of the month.
Despite the stronger run rate, industry sources indicated that VIP volume declined by between 0 and 3 percent month on month, while mass-market GGR fell by between 2 and 4 percent. VIP hold, the proportion of wagers retained by casinos, appeared higher than during the first five days of July.
With only four matches remaining in the tournament, Citigroup expects Macau GGR to continue recovering. The brokerage maintained its July forecast, which implies average daily GGR of about MOP721 million ($89.2 million) for the rest of the month.
After the tournament, Macau’s ‘star-studded event calendar’ should help gaming revenue ‘swiftly’ return to normal, the analysts said.
Pragmatic Play is capitalizing on one of North America’s most exciting iGaming openings by bringing its premium content to Alberta’s newly regulated market, further cementing its strong presence in Canada.
Pragmatic Play’s extensive portfolio of premium slots, including recent releases Fury of Anubis and Big Bass Blast, alongside the ever-popular Gates of Olympus series, is now certified in the province. The certification also covers its industry-leading live casino portfolio, featuring a wide range of titles, from blackjack, baccarat and roulette to immersive game shows.
The launch follows the long-awaited regulation of Alberta’s online gaming market, opening a significant new opportunity for operators and suppliers within one of Canada’s largest provinces.
Pragmatic Play enters the Alberta market with an established reach in the country, having already partnered with a number of tier-one brands in Ontario to make its award-winning content available to players across the region.
The expansion marks another milestone in Pragmatic Play’s North American growth strategy as the supplier continues to strengthen partnerships across regulated markets, delivering premium multi-product content through a single API integration.
Sharon McHugh, Director of PR at Pragmatic Play, said: “Alberta represents an exciting new adventure for regulated iGaming in Canada, and Pragmatic Play is delighted to be among the first suppliers bringing premium entertainment to operators and their players from day one. Building on our strong momentum in Ontario, this expansion reinforces Pragmatic Play’s long-term commitment to the Canadian market. We look forward to working closely with partners across the province as the market continues to develop.”
Leading sportsbook and iGaming provider Digitain has appointed 15-year industry veteran Terry Lee as its new Head of Asia Region to spearhead commercial growth and strategic partnerships across the rapidly evolving market.
In his new role, Terry will be responsible for driving Digitain’s regional growth strategy, strengthening relationships with partners, expanding the company’s presence across regulated Asian markets.
Terry Lee, the newly appointed Head of Asia Region at Digitain, said: “I am honored to join Digitain as Head of Asia Region at such an important stage of the company’s global expansion. Digitain stands out as a company that truly understands the importance of adaptability, localization, and strong partner relationships. In my new role, my focus is to establish Digitain in key regulated markets by building strategic partnerships and pursuing local opportunities to accelerate our regional growth and commercial success.”
Ani Mkrtchyan
Ani Mkrtchyan, Chief Sales Officer at Digitain, welcomed Terry to the company, commenting, “We are delighted to welcome Terry to Digitain. His extensive industry experience, deep understanding of regulated Asian markets, and proven ability to build strong commercial relationships make him an excellent addition to our leadership team. Asia remains a strategic growth region for Digitain, and Terry’s expertise will play a key role in supporting our expansion plans and delivering continued success for our partners.”
As Digitain continues to expand its global footprint, the appointment of Terry Lee further strengthens the company’s regional leadership capabilities and commitment to delivering market-leading products and services across Asia.
SolutionsHub, a top provider of iGaming licensing and regulatory services, has named David Lyons as a Non-Executive Director. In his new role, Lyons will help steer the company’s Irish operations as the nation introduces its updated gambling regulatory framework.
Lyons brings three decades of experience across online gaming, financial services and corporate governance to the consultancy at a time when operators, suppliers and investors are preparing for regulatory change in Ireland.
Ireland is entering a new regulatory phase following the introduction of the Gambling Regulation Act and the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). As licensing structures, compliance requirements and regulatory expectations take shape, businesses operating in the market face important decisions around governance, operational readiness and long-term planning.
SolutionsHub has been building its Irish capability with that environment in mind. SolutionsHub opened its Dublin office last year to support companies looking to obtain an Irish gambling licence. The appointment of Lyons strengthens the firm’s ability to support businesses preparing for the next stage of regulation.
Based in Dublin, Lyons has held senior leadership positions across several major gaming businesses during a career spanning Ireland, Malta, the Isle of Man and Australia.
Alongside his career in the online gaming industry, Lyons spent more than 16 years in financial services with Bank of Ireland and Standard Life, working across technology, risk and operations. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and is a Board Member of the Asthma Society of Ireland.
Lee Hills, CEO of SolutionsHub, said: “Ireland is entering a new phase, and businesses will have important decisions to make as the regulatory framework takes shape. David has worked at senior levels inside gaming businesses for many years and understands the practical challenges operators face. He’s seen the industry from different angles, from player engagement and operations through to governance and board-level responsibilities. That experience will be valuable as we continue to grow our Irish portfolio.”
David Lyons
Lyons is also a board member of VGW Games Limited, bringing additional governance experience to the role.
The appointment comes as SolutionsHub expands its presence in Ireland to support operators and suppliers preparing for new regulatory requirements.
Commenting on his new role, David Lyons shared: “I’ve spent a lot of my career working inside businesses that have had to balance commercial priorities with regulatory obligations. Ireland is moving into a period where businesses will need to get governance, licensing and operational readiness right from the start. SolutionsHub has built a strong reputation for helping businesses approach licensing, governance and compliance in a practical way. That focus on real-world outcomes was a big part of what attracted me to the role.”
Velvix Corporation, a developer of EGM cabinets and software for the APAC and North American markets, has announced a strategic cooperation agreement with LaVie Resort and Casino Manila—marking a significant step in the company’s continued expansion into the Philippine gaming market.
Under the agreement, Velvix will deploy an initial 16 CurlX electronic gaming machines at the LaVie venue. The deployment will include Velvix’s CurlX EGMs with jackpot functionality, related signage and system components, supported by Velvix’s backend system, installation support, training, user manuals, maintenance and ongoing technical assistance.
“The Philippines is an exciting and important market for Velvix, and this agreement with LaVie Resort and Casino Manila represents a meaningful opportunity for us to introduce our CurlX platform, game content and support capabilities to local players and operators,” said Stanley Ku, CEO of Velvix Corporation. “We look forward to working closely with the LaVie team and supporting a successful deployment.”
“LaVie Resort & Casino Manila has strong expectations for our partnership with Velvix,” added Stephen Tham, VP-Slots Operations of LaVie Resort & Casino Manila. “Velvix’s slot machines have demonstrated strong and consistent performance against our operating benchmarks, meeting the standards we look for in the Philippine market and showing the potential to compete in a highly demanding environment. We believe Velvix’s game content and hardware quality will further strengthen our gaming portfolio, deliver a more compelling experience for our players, and create meaningful growth opportunities for our operations. LaVie is committed to advancing this partnership and looks forward to working with Velvix to raise industry standards in the Philippines and expand our shared influence across the region.”
The agreement reflects Velvix’s commitment to building long-term partnerships with casino operators in the Philippines and across key international gaming markets.
As part of the agreement, Velvix will provide CurlX EGM products, international shipment support, backend system access, training and technical service. LaVie Resort and Casino Manila will operate the machines at its casino venue, with both parties working together to support performance, guest engagement and long-term operational success.
LaVie Resort and Casino Manila
The deployment is expected to further strengthen Velvix’s presence in the Philippines as the company continues to expand its portfolio of casino gaming products across Asia and other international markets.
As the peak summer travel season approaches, Sands China is thrilled to announce the return of Macao’s premier annual signature shopping event, the 2026 Sands Shopping Carnival, which will take place from July 23 to July 26 at Halls A and B of The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo.
Offering free admission to the public, this year’s four-day extravaganza combines unbeatable shopping, exquisite dining, cultural and creative arts, sports, and parent-child experiences. The event allows residents and tourists alike to fully immerse themselves in Macao’s diverse MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) charm.
Event Highlights for 2026:
Massive Scale and Daily Deals: The exhibition has expanded to feature over 580 specialty booths across eight themed zones. Visitors can expect up to 90% off retail prices and the highly anticipated rollout of more than 5,000 special MOP 1 items each day.
Debut of the Sports Experience Zone: Keeping pace with global trends, this year introduces a brand-new sports zone featuring a pickleball experience. Additionally, young fans can participate in a free basketball shooting challenge to build excitement for the upcoming NBA China Games 2026 at The Venetian Arena.
The Largest-Ever Food Court: Dining options have been massively expanded, bringing together over 50 internet-famous and popular Macao eateries, offering everything from traditional street snacks to modern desserts.
Greater Bay Area Karaoke King Singing Competition: Scheduled for July 25-26, this highly anticipated contest has attracted top vocal talent from Hong Kong, Macao, and Guangdong, with the champion taking home a grand prize of MOP 10,000.
Family-Friendly Entertainment: The carnival features a wealth of free, on-site activities including the BOC Smart Kids Presents: Little Master Chef Workshop, the Bank of Communications Presents: “Play and Fun” Kids Area, and The Busking Corner.
Multicultural Vitality: The Cultural and Creative Zone provides an expansive platform for designers and artisans from across the Greater Bay Area to showcase original crafts and lifestyle items.
Travel and Accessibility
To ensure a convenient and enjoyable experience, the carnival is open daily from noon to 10 p.m. Free shuttle bus services will be provided, running directly to the venue from major ports of entry, including the Hengqin Port, the Macao Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), and the Taipa Ferry Terminal. Free on-site parking is also available, and the venue is easily accessible via the Macao Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Cotai West station.
Supporting Local Economy and Tourism
In alignment with the Macao SAR government’s “tourism +” development strategy, the 2026 Sands Shopping Carnival continues its seven-year legacy of building the largest free sales platform in Macao for local SMEs, Sands retailers, and community partners.
The carnival is organized by Sands China Ltd. and co-organized by the Macao Chamber of Commerce (MCC), with the full support of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), and the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). Proud sponsors include Bank of China (Macau) Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited, Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Macau Branch, and Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU).
The public is encouraged to plan their itineraries early and enjoy a fulfilling summer holiday filled with one-stop food, fun, and shopping.
The first day of the event (July 23) is an exclusive invitation-only session, while the following three days will be open free to the general public daily from noon to 10 p.m. For more details, please visit and follow:
CLSA has trimmed its 2026 forecast for Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) to growth of just 2.3 percent, or MOP253.2 billion ($31.3 billion), after a 12 percent year-on-year slide in June that the brokerage expects to spill into the first half of July.
The 2 percent cut leaves CLSA 3.5 percent below the Bloomberg consensus, and analysts Jeffrey Kiang and Evan Wan warned in the July 10th note that market earnings forecasts could face near-term downward revisions. Consensus growth implies daily GGR accelerating to MOP729 million ($90 million) in the second half, against an actual MOP701 million ($87 million) per day in the first six months.
The brokerage now projects July GGR to fall 12 percent year-on-year to MOP19.5 billion ($2.41 billion), with second-half revenue down 2 percent to MOP126.3 billion ($15.6 billion). Forecasts from August to December are unchanged, and daily takings should pick up from mid-July, the report said.
Second-quarter GGR slipped 0.1 percent year-on-year to MOP61.0 billion ($7.55 billion), averaging MOP671 million ($83 million) per day, 8 percent below the first quarter, with channel checks pointing to below-usual VIP win rates in seven of nine weeks.
The reading mirrors Citigroup’s assessment, previously reported by AGB, which described 2Q26 as Macau’s ‘toughest’ quarter since the border reopening, with industry EBITDA weighed down by the FIFA World Cup and unfavorable VIP hold.
Fewer overnight visitors, but premium play holds up
Visitor arrivals grew 7 percent year-on-year to 6.93 million in April and May, 1.5 percent above the same months in 2019, according to Statistics and Census Services data cited in the report. However, only 38 to 39 percent of visitors stayed overnight, down from 41 to 44 percent a year earlier and below the pre-pandemic range of 45 to 55 percent.
Despite this, the average length of stay edged up to 1.7 nights from 1.6, and GGR per overnight visitor rose 7 percent year-on-year to MOP15,836 ($1,960) across the two months, while GGR per total visitation was flat at MOP6,133 ($759). CLSA said the pattern reinforces its view that Macau’s GGR ‘is supported by the premium segment’.
Five of six concessionaires now rated Outperform
Despite the softer outlook, CLSA upgraded Wynn Macau and Melco Resorts & Entertainment to Outperform from Hold on valuation grounds, leaving five of Macau’s six concessionaires with Outperform ratings. SJM Holdings remains the brokerage’s sole Underperform.
CLSA lowered its share price targets for most operators to reflect the weaker earnings outlook, with Galaxy Entertainment the only one nudged higher. Even so, the brokerage sees the stocks as inexpensive: the six operators’ combined market value of $42.8 billion is close to its lowest level on record, and the shares trade well below their historical average.
Galaxy remains the house’s top pick, backed by its entertainment event strategy in driving patronage into casinos and its balance sheet strength. With the operator’s capital expenditure cycle peaking in 2026 and 2027, Galaxy will ‘enter harvesting period of free cashflow ahead of its peers’, the analysts wrote.
In a move to facilitate direct, actionable dialogue within the global gaming sector, the SBC Summit has announced the launch of its new Regulatory Gaming Meetups.
Set to debut at the SBC Summit 2026 event in Lisbon, this networking initiative will connect delegates with regulators, compliance experts, and industry leaders from more than 20 gaming jurisdictions worldwide.
Key Insights
Running daily from September 29 to October 1 at the Regulatory Gaming Meetup Lounge (F4-17), the program offers attendees a rare opportunity to engage intimately with the stakeholders who shape and enforce market policies.
A Targeted Approach to Global Markets
Recognizing the complexity of the global gaming landscape, SBC has structured the meetups by specific jurisdictions and regions. This allows delegates to hyper-focus on the regulatory environments most critical to their commercial strategies.
The agenda will cover policy shifts, compliance requirements, and growth opportunities across key global territories, including:
Asia & Eurasia
Africa & Latin America
North America
European Regions (including the Balkans, CEE, and Nordics & Baltics)
Complementing the broader regional overviews, the summit will dive deep into Europe’s fragmented landscape with dedicated sessions on Italy, Malta, Finland, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany (DACH), the UK & Ireland, Greece & Cyprus, and the Netherlands & Belgium. Furthermore, highly anticipated sessions will explore closely watched, emerging regulatory environments in the Emirates, India, and Curaçao.
Direct Access to Key Decision-Makers
To guarantee practical, market-specific insights, each session will be hosted by authoritative figures with direct operational and regulatory experience in the respective regions.
Paul Burns (CEO, Canadian Gaming Association) & Jared Beber (CEO, Bet99)
Panagiotis Trisokkas (President, National Betting Authority Cyprus)
Ricardo Domingues (President, APAJO) & Luis Carvalho (Partner, Lektou)
Alexander Popov (Director of Supervision of Gambling Activities, National Revenue Agency, Bulgaria) & Ionut-Valeriu Andrei (CEO, Loteria Romana)
Dr. Martin Talian (CEO, Kenya’s National Lottery Board) alongside Omer Mohaban (Liberia Online Gaming & Casino Commission) and Ivo Bosukov (Chief Strategy Officer, SportPesa Group)
Karen Marcela Sierra-Hughes (Vice President of Latin America, Caribbean & Spain, GLI)
“What we’re creating with the Regulatory Gaming Meet Ups is direct access to the people responsible for shaping, interpreting, and navigating these markets every day…That gives delegates the opportunity to ask better questions, gain practical insights that can’t be found in a report or presentation, and make more informed business decisions.”
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC
Backed by Strategic Industry Partnerships
The Meetups represent one of the first major activations resulting from SBC’s new strategic partnership with the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL). Together, the entities are working to democratize access to regulatory expertise across SBC’s global event portfolio.
The initiative is part of a broader investment by SBC to provide structured networking formats, joining other curated experiences like speed networking and guided show floor tours.
Comprehensive Educational Conference
Beyond the lounge, attendees can further their regulatory education across two dedicated stages:
Global & Emerging Markets Stage: Focused on the commercial and operational realities of markets worldwide, featuring dedicated days for emerging markets, Western Europe, and LATAM.
Regulation & Compliance Stage: Covering global rules, player protection technology, and compliance tracks, highlighted by the Player Protection Symposium.
