Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) has called on executives and employees of public institutions under its purview to prove their worth or risk closure.
According to ChosunBiz, industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan noted that “Public institutions are no longer simple policy-executing organizations […] they must become drivers of innovation that the public can feel”.
The executive noted that if the MOTIR institutions cannot prove themselves “with results that meet the public’s expectations, the very existence of public institutions could disappear”.
The statement was especially focused on eliminating copied tasks, improving responsibility, and revitalizing local economies, alongside implementing strict discipline for executives and employees of the institutions.
In attendance at the meeting were representatives of public institutions in the resources sector, including Kangwon Land, Inc.
Kangwon Land is the only casino operator in Korea allowed to accept local gamblers.
In September of last year, the company secured government approval to construct a second casino facility, adding 5,747 square meters of new gaming space. The expansion includes 50 new gaming tables and 250 machines, with operations on the new floor scheduled to begin once construction is completed in 2027.
The group recently benefited from regulatory easing measures that took effect in 2025. These include raising the maximum betting limit to KRW3 million ($2,295), expanding mass gaming space by 1,433 square metres and allowing entry for resident permit holders.
In a report on its 2024 Value-up Plan targets, the company in late November 2025 indicated that it had achieved an 86.7 percent compliance rate with key governance indicators, with full compliance expected by 2026.
Completed actions include the rollout of an electronic voting system, enhanced dividend disclosure procedures and amendments to improve predictability of cash dividends. Additional measures planned for 2026 include earlier notice of shareholder meeting convocations and adoption of a CEO succession policy.
The Philippines’ Presidential Palace has dismissed “unsubstantiated statements” calling for the impeachment of the nation’s president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
According to the Philippine News Agency, Malacañang’s Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued a statement in response to claims by District Representative Edgar Erice that an impeachment complaint could be filed against the top official after Congress resumes session on January 26th.
In the statement, the palace officer noted that Marcos “respects the existing constitutional processes and believes that any actions taken by members of Congress will be driven by facts, the law, and national interest”.
Castro furthered that “the administration will not speculate on rumors or political maneuverings”.
While representative Erice indicated that he would not support a complaint against Marcos, or another possible impeachment claim against Vice President Sara Duterte, he indicated he would seek more information from the Committee on Justice if any such cases are filed.
Erice also did not indicate which lawmakers were allegedly planning to lodge the complaints, with “betrayal of public trust” as a possible reason.
The Philippine president has overseen a period of strong transition for the nation’s gaming industry, mandating the closure of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and encouraging strict legislation to control operations that could facilitate offshore gambling. The moves were widely celebrated by many Filipinos, who cited the dangers linked to excessive gambling.
However, the official does not enjoy widespread approval, with 48 percent of adults in a December 2025 Pulse Asia survey expressing dissatisfaction with the Marcos Jr.’s performance. Some 47 percent of respondents also expressed distrust in the official at the time.
Australian gaming group The Star is forging ahead with plans to close its corporate office “in its current form”, cutting jobs and decentralizing responsibility to its individual casino operations.
The Star currently operates casinos in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
According to the Australian Financial Review, the closure was detailed in an email sent to staff by new CEO Bruce Mathieson Jr.
The move comes after new company Chairman Soo Kim in December of last year indicated that “there are no sacred cows, and even the notion that we have a corporate office has to be examined”.
Kim assumed the Chairman role as a representative of Bally’s Corporation, which together with Mathieson-family backed Investment Holdings saved The Star from bankruptcy with a $300 million ($193.5 million) injection.
At the time, Kim had also indicated that a move to put the company “on the right track” could include significant job losses.
Kim’s appointment came after the resignation of former Star CEO Steve McCann, closely followed by the resignation of two other board members.
AFR indicates that the email regarding the corporate office closure was sent the same day The Star announced the resignation of the two board members: COO Jeannie Mok and CFO Frank Krile.
In the correspondence to staff, Mathieson didn’t indicate how many jobs would be affected as part of the corporate office closure, with AFR citing anonymous sources as being in the hundreds. The corporate office currently employs about 600 people.
“The corporate office has added complexity rather than value and simplification,” states the email, furthering: “We must get closer to our customers and to your front-line team. And we have to meet the regulatory imperative to decentralize the business and empower our property teams”.
In a previous interview from 2025, Soo Kim had indicated that “corporate has gone from 600 to 1,100 jobs in the last five years, which also runs contrary to business finance, but is also a regulatory mandate”. He hinted at the closure then, stating “the notion that we have a corporate office has to be examined”.
The Star’s head office is located in Brisbane, Queensland.
Macau gaming operator Sands China has announced a salary increase and discretionary bonus for eligible full-time employees, becoming the first gaming concessionaire in Macau to confirm a pay rise for 2026, while also being the last operator to formally announce a one-month bonus for its workforce.
In a press release issued on January 12th, the company said it will pay a discretionary bonus on February 6th, 2026, in recognition of team members’ contributions in 2025.
Under the bonus arrangement, non-management team members who have completed at least one year of service will receive a payment equivalent to one month’s salary.
Management-level employees will receive bonuses based on individual performance, the company’s Management Incentive Plan, and financial results. Team members with less than one year of service will receive prorated bonuses, provided they joined before October 1st, 2025, and remain employed on the payout date.
The salary increase will take effect on March 1st, 2026, benefiting 99 percent of Sands China’s nearly 28,000 employees.
For the salary adjustment, eligible full-time employees earning up to MOP16,000 ($1,990) per month before tax will receive a flat increase of MOP500 ($62), representing a rise of around 3.1 percent to 4 percent. Employees earning above MOP16,000 ($1,990) per month before tax will receive a 2 percent pay increase.
Grant Chum, CEO and Executive Director of Sands China
In a message to staff, Sands China CEO and Executive Director Grant Chum said 2025 had been “a remarkable year” for the company, citing strong operational execution and a robust calendar of major events. The executive noted that Sands China hosted the NBA China Games at the upgraded Venetian Arena and delivered around 600 events across MICE, entertainment, sports, and arts and culture.
“These accomplishments reflect the professionalism and dedication of our team members,” Chum said. “In recognition of their efforts over the past year, we are pleased to announce a discretionary bonus and a salary increase.”
Light & Wonder has agreed to pay a $127.5 million compensation settlement to rival gaming giant Aristocrat over ‘claims for misappropriation and infringement of its intellectual property’ linked to L&W’s Dragon Train game.
The companies detailed the settlement amount in a joint statement released by the companies on January 11th.
The settlement is confidential, but also includes an acknowledgement by L&W that ‘certain Aristocrat math information was used in connection with the development of both Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon’.
Light & Wonder has also agreed ‘not to make any further use of the Aristocrat math information and copyright works at issue in the litigation, and to permanently destroy all documents reflecting that information’.
Furthermore, the two parties agreed ‘to confidential procedures for identifying and resolving any issues concerning the use of Aristocrat math in connection with certain existing Light & Wonder hold and spin games and certain hold and spin games now in development’. These include ‘games for which Light & Wonder was ordered to produce math models to Aristocrat in the United States litigation’.
Following the settlement, Aristocrat’s claims against L&W in both Australian and the US ‘will be dismissed’.
The settlement not only lays to rest the long-standing issue between the rival gaming groups, but also cements an agreement for each company to protect their ‘valuable, proprietary assets’. The groups note that ‘respecting intellectual property rights […] is critical to ensure fair competition among all participants in the gaming industry’.
Speaking of the settlement, Aristocrat CEO Trevor Croker noted “We welcome this positive outcome, which includes significant financial compensation and follows the decisive action we took to ensure the preservation of Aristocrat’s valuable intellectual property assets”.
Matt Wilson, CEO of Light & Wonder shed some light on the background of the issue, noting “This matter arose when a former employee inappropriately used certain Aristocrat math without our knowledge and in direct violation of our policies. Upon discovery, we took immediate action and have since implemented strengthened processes aimed at preventing similar issues in the future. This settlement protects the interests of our customers, employees, and shareholders, and allows us to continue our focus on developing and delivering the market-leading content our customers expect”.
Good Morning. The only way is up. Citigroup’s 4Q25 preview highlights that increased operating expenses from events and satellite casino closures slightly offset Macau casino operators‘ operating leverage, yet they forecast 7% GGR growth and 9% EBITDA growth. Meanwhile, CIMB Securities upgraded Genting Malaysia Bhd’s rating, expecting a strong recovery in earnings by FY27 due to a new casino license for its US subsidiary. In India, gaming and hospitality group Delta Corp has announced that it will discontinue operations at The Zuri White Sands Goa Resort & Casino following the government’s increase in the Goods and Services Tax on casinos.
In its 4Q25 earnings preview, Citigroup noted that while Macau casino operators faced increased operating expenses from events such as the NBA China Games and the 15th National Games, along with costs associated with satellite casino closures, the overall operating leverage was slightly mitigated. Despite these challenges, Citigroup predicts growth in gross gaming revenue (GGR) by 7% year-over-year and EBITDA by 9%, with industry EBITDA expected to reach approximately $2.25 billion, reflecting a modest increase margin to 27.5%.
Win Systems has announced it will participate in ICE Barcelona 2026, one of the gaming sector’s most important international events, where the company will present its innovative Colors roulette series—a range designed to offer operators maximum flexibility, customization, and visual appeal.
The Colors series stands out for being fully customizable, allowing each casino to adapt the design, colors, finishes, and configuration to its brand identity and the specific needs of its gaming floor. This versatility makes Colors an ideal solution both for new projects and for the renovation of existing spaces, providing a modern, elegant, and highly distinctive style.
As the main novelty at ICE 2026, Win Systems will showcase the new wall-mounted version of Colors with 6 positions, a solution specifically developed to optimize space without compromising the gaming experience or player comfort. This new format expands the deployment possibilities of the series, adapting to different floor layouts and offering an efficient and attractive alternative for venues with space limitations.
The Colors series incorporates Win Systems’ renowned technology, ensuring reliability, ease of operation, and a smooth and immersive gaming experience. Its compact design allows for multiple configurations, reinforcing the company’s commitment to solutions aimed at maximizing operator profitability.
With its participation in ICE Barcelona 2026, Win Systems reaffirms its commitment to innovation, customization, and design, consolidating its position as a strategic partner for casinos and gaming venues worldwide seeking to differentiate themselves and deliver unique player experiences.
Wazdan has secured entry into the Slovenian regulated market after going live with Casinò Portorož, the country’s only licensed online casino operator, via its casino.si platform.
The launch comes after Casinò Portorož received a government concession to operate online gaming in Slovenia, opening a new chapter for the regulated market and supporting Wazdan’s continued growth across Europe.
As part of the agreement, players in Slovenia will gain access to a curated portfolio of 15 Wazdan titles, including popular releases such as 9 Bells™, 9 Coins™, 9 Coins™ 1000, 9 Coins™ Grand Gold, 12 Bells™, 12 Coins™ Grand Gold, 20 Coins™, Burning Sun™, Hot Slot™: 777 Crown, among others.
Casinò Portorož offers secure and regulated gameplay supported by a strong local reputation and established land-based presence.
The partnership underlines Wazdan’s focus on working with trusted operators, marking another successful collaboration in Europe, and delivering high-performing content designed to support player engagement and long-term retention across diverse regulated markets.
Ksenija Bezek, Head of Online Operations at Casinò Portorož said: “Launching our online casino Casino.si offering in Slovenia is a landmark moment for Casinò Portorož, and partnering with Wazdan allows us to strengthen that debut with a portfolio of proven, high-quality games. Wazdan’s titles have a strong track record in regulated markets, and we are confident they will resonate well with Slovenian players.”
Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales and Business Development at Wazdan, added: “Entering Slovenia with Casinò Portorož is an exciting step for Wazdan and aligns perfectly with our strategy of expanding across regulated European markets. As the country’s only licensed online casino, casino.si provides an ideal platform to introduce our games to a new audience, and we look forward to building a strong and long-term partnership.”
BetConstruct AI has announced it will host Harmony Choice in Barcelona, bringing together partners and industry peers to officially welcome 2026 and set the strategic tone for the year ahead.
Taking place on 17 January 2026 in splendid Barcelona, the evening will gather leading representatives of the iGaming industry for an exclusive program of insight, collaboration, and high-level networking in an elegant and inspiring setting.
The meetup is designed to facilitate a natural transition from strategic insight to meaningful interaction. As the opening event of the iGaming calendar, Harmony Choice creates a vital space for reflection and connection just days before the industry converges for ICE Barcelona.
BetConstruct AI cordially invites industry leaders to join them for an evening of early clarity and thoughtful exchange in one of the city’s most iconic venues.
Interested parties are invited to reserve their place for an evening that opens the year here.
As iGaming continues to evolve, the platforms that stand out are those that look beyond the present and invest in the long‑term success of their partners. ProgressPlay is doing exactly that, anchoring its future in two powerful strategic pillars.
Alongside its robust and trusted traditional white-label and turnkey casino and sportsbook solutions, the company is placing a defining strategic emphasis on its Standalone and dedicated Sweepstakes verticals. These two pillars are not merely additions to a portfolio but represent a fundamental expansion of the partner growth playbook, offering distinct, powerful pathways to market share in the coming year.
The ICE Barcelona event will serve as the launchpad for this vision, where the conversation will pivot from providing a service to architecting a future.
For ambitious brands, the Standalone solution is the ultimate expression of autonomy and ambition. It transcends the traditional partnership model by empowering operators to launch their own fully owned entity, a distinct B2C brand, under the protective umbrella and robust infrastructure of ProgressPlay’s proprietary technology.
This offering is engineered for those who demand more than a branded front-end; it is for those who seek complete sovereignty over their player data, commercial strategy, and customer journey. While a turnkey solution offers speed to market, the Standalone model offers something more profound: lasting legacy and total market control, allowing visionary entrepreneurs to build an asset that is unequivocally their own, powered by a backend they can trust implicitly.
Marina Nahhas
“At ICE, we’re moving the conversation from what we provide to what our partners can achieve,” said Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing at ProgressPlay. “For years, we’ve perfected the model of speed and ease with our turnkey solutions. Now, we’re expanding that promise. The Standalone is for the visionary who demands full ownership to build a lasting legacy asset. The Sweepstakes solution is for the growth-focused strategist looking to capture the next wave of player engagement. At our core, we deliver the right strategic tool for the right ambition, and ICE is where ambition meets the technology that drives it forward.”
More than just a product category, it is a comprehensive, compliant framework that enables partners to bridge the substantial gap between social gaming engagement and regulated real-money play. ProgressPlay’s Sweepstakes solution provides the specialised mechanics and engaging content library necessary to convert a broad, entertainment-focused audience into a loyal player base.
Nahhas framed this new vertical by saying: “This Sweepstakes solution represents a low-friction, high-engagement entry point into regulated markets, enabling partners to build community and brand affinity before seamlessly guiding players toward fuller gaming experiences. This focus on Sweepstakes demonstrates a deep understanding that the future of player acquisition lies in innovative, accessible, and socially resonant models.”
The power of this dual strategy lies in its complementary nature. Standalone caters to the partner who sees iGaming as a core, owned vertical of their business, requiring depth and control. The Sweepstakes vertical, conversely, offers a strategic entry or expansion play, perfect for capturing new demographics and testing markets with a lower barrier to entry.
Together, they bookend a spectrum of partner ambition, allowing ProgressPlay to support everything from the launch of a disruptive new market leader to the geographic or demographic expansion of an established brand. As the industry converges at ICE Barcelona, ProgressPlay’s message will be clear: the future of platform partnership is about providing choice, control, and clear pathways to growth.
By placing the Standalone and Sweepstakes solutions at the heart of its 2026 narrative, ProgressPlay is not just selling a platform; it is inviting partners to choose their own strategic adventure.
It signals a commitment to move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions, instead offering the specialised tools and strategic frameworks that will define the next generation of iGaming success stories. For the over 130 brands already powered by its ecosystem, and for the future partners who will join them, this focused vision promises a 2026 of empowered growth and limitless potential.
Itai Lowenstein, CEO of ProgressPlay
“This strategic focus is a direct response to the fragmentation of opportunity in our industry,” explained Itai Lowenstein, CEO of ProgressPlay.
“The monolithic market is gone. Success in 2026 requires precision. One partner may need the autonomy of a Standalone to leverage their brand equity fully, while another sees a goldmine in the scalable, community-driven model of Sweepstakes. Our role is to be the versatile, reliable engine for both journeys.”
Lowenstein concluded: “By strengthening these two pillars alongside our proven turnkey and white-label offerings, we are not just following trends; we are building the comprehensive toolkit that will define the next generation of iGaming leaders. Our presence at ICE is a statement: we are here to build the future, partner by partner.”
