Play’n GO has announced that its industry-leading portfolio of games is now live with Fanatics Casino across four US states. Fanatics Casino is available on iOS, Android and web in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Smash US hits from Play’n GO including Buildin’ Bucks, Crabby’s Gold and Reactoonz can now be enjoyed by players in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Play’n GO’s titles have been proven performers in the US with Fanatics Casino since going live earlier this year in selected markets, but now with the addition of West Virginia the Swedish gaming giant’s games are available in all US Fanatics Casino markets.
Magnus Olsson, CCO of Play’n GO
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer of Play’n GO, said: “Fanatics Casino have built a compelling proposition for players and are enjoying significant market share growth in the burgeoning US online casino market. This is just the start of a long-term partnership. Similarly, Play’n GO’s market share in the US continues to grow as players flock to our games for their quality and entertainment value. We look forward to growing our businesses together with Fanatics Casino.”
Michael Afflick, Vice President of Casino Marketing, Fanatics Betting and Gaming added: “Play’n GO has a proven track record with games that our customers love and I am excited to see what we can do together now that their games are live in all of our key US marketing.”
In October, Play’n GO set a world record by launching everyone’s favorite slot character, Garga, into space reaching a height of over 117,000ft as part of the launch campaign for blockbuster hit Reactoonz 100, which instantly become the biggest game launch of the year for the company.
With MGM committed to fostering healthy financial habits and responsible gaming values through diverse initiatives across campuses and communities, the initiative featured two key components: the ‘Responsible Gaming Campus Ambassador Program,’ which focuses on talent development and hands‑on engagement, and the ‘Healthy Financial Management Promotional Design Competition,’ designed to spark creativity and innovative communication.
Earlier, both parties hosted the closing ceremony for the ambassador program and the award presentation for the design competition, recognizing participants for their outstanding achievements.
This year’s ambassador program continued the proven “training + practice” model, engaging over 30 students from majors such as tourism management, hospitality, and social work.
Led by Tina Wong, Director of Responsible Gaming at MGM, and Pak Kin Pong, Director of the Integrated Services Center of Macao Gaming Industry Employees Home, the curriculum explored the evolution of Macau’s gaming industry and the vital role of responsible gaming in the city’s sustainable development.
The inaugural “Healthy Financial Management Promotion Design Competition” invited submissions from across the university, encouraging participants to leverage diverse formats such as digital media, community education, and cultural and creative products to promote financial wellness and responsible gaming. All entries were showcased online, generating over 110,000 views, underscoring the strong resonance these concepts have within the campus.
Tina Wong, Director of Responsible Gaming at MGM, said that as the “MGM x CityU Responsible Gaming Promotional Project” enters its second year, it has empowered students to creatively adopt healthy financial concepts across campuses and communities. She emphasized MGM’s belief that the collaboration of “government + enterprises + schools + organizations” will continue to lay a solid foundation for Macau’s sustainability.
Ip Kuai Peng, Vice Rector of City University of Macau, remarked that the two initiatives, built on the models of “theory + practice” and “competition + innovation”, have successfully inspired students’ creativity and strengthened their sense of social responsibility, delivering impressive results. He hopes that the award-winning projects will continue to evolve, injecting fresh momentum into Macau’s sustainable development.
Macau gaming operator Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) has partnered with the Macao Young Entrepreneur Incubation Centre (“MYEIC”) to co-organize a two-day “Made in Macau” Market at the back-of-house area of Galaxy Macau, offering a complimentary sales and display platform for 10 local SMEs and start-ups to showcase their brands and products directly to GEG team members.
With the support of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) of the Macau SAR Government, the event achieved remarkable results, with enthusiastic participation from team members. It not only brought direct additional revenue to the exhibitors but also further demonstrated the market appeal of locally made products.
In addition, the market was curated and executed by the winning team of the earlier “Made in Macau” Event Organizer Competition, giving young entrepreneurs valuable hands-on experience in event planning and execution under the professional guidance of GEG’s Procurement and Warehousing team while simultaneously providing a networking and display platform for other participating SMEs.
The opening ceremony was attended by Ms. Sanna Leong, Manager of Commerce and Business Development Division of IPIM; Mr. Peter Chow, Senior Vice President of Procurement and Warehousing of GEG; and Mr. Andy Ng, Director of MYEIC.
Mr. Peter Chow said in his speech, “GEG is delighted to co-host the ‘Made in Macau’ Market and the ‘Made in Macau’ Event Organizer Competition with MYEIC. Through this platform, we aim to encourage young entrepreneurs to unleash their creativity and strengthen their professional skills during the planning and execution process. At the same time, we hope to create more business opportunities for SMEs and foster their sustainable development.”
Peter Chow, SVP of Procurement and Warehousing of GEGAndy Ng, Director of MYEIC
Mr. Andy Ng mentioned in his speech, “The collaboration with GEG not only opens the channel for local SMEs and start-ups to connect, but also enhances the visibility of locally made products, reflecting GEG’s commitment to its ‘Large Businesses Leading Small Businesses’ collaboration model and ongoing support for local enterprises and Macau’s economic diversification.”
The earlier “Made in Macau” Event Organizer Competition, designed to strengthen local start-ups’ capabilities in event planning and execution, attracted enthusiastic participation from numerous teams. Following a comprehensive evaluation based on “Creativity & Theme”, “Functionality”, “Execution Quality”, “Sustainability”, and “Ability to Support Local SMEs and Promote the ‘Made in Macau’ Principle”, Axon Space Interior Design Engineering Co., Ltd. was selected as the winner and awarded a curation contract worth MOP200,000 at the ceremony.
Exhibitors included local SMEs and start-ups, businesses certified as “Certified Shops” by the Macao Consumer Council, and traditional and emerging brands specializing in cultural and creative products and artisanal foods. Beyond waiving booth fees, GEG provided design and promotional support through the curation team to help exhibitors effectively showcase their brands and boost product visibility and sales.
Many exhibitors reported robust sales and expressed gratitude for the active support of GEG team members. Meanwhile, GEG’s procurement team facilitated supplier registration for participating businesses and introduced its procurement standards and requirements, laying the groundwork for future collaboration. The market also embraced eco-friendly practices, incorporating recyclable designs in booth construction, tableware, and waste sorting. Interactive activities such as eco-friendly tote bag redemption was also introduced to promote green awareness among team members.
GEG remains committed to creating growth opportunities for local SMEs through diverse initiatives. Next January, GEG will host a Coffee Expo (“Expo”) at the Galaxy International Convention Center, offering local and regional businesses a professional platform to showcase their products and build business connections. To further support the development of local creative talent, earlier, GEG and MYEIC launched a logo and name design competition for the Expo, with the winning entry to be featured across all promotional materials. Additional details about the Expo will be announced soon.
Furthermore, GEG continues to organize the “GEG SME Series” of activities, including networking sessions, seminars, and professional training programs. This year’s highlights include the “Technology Innovation Enterprises Sharing and Business Matching Session”, offering business matching opportunities for tech start-ups, and the “Quality Enhancement Certification Program”, launched in collaboration with the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (“CPTTM”) to support qualified suppliers through training and certification.
For the second consecutive year, GEG also sponsored the “SME Digitalization Support Services 2025”, organized by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau and CPTTM, empowering SMEs to embrace digital transformation. Looking ahead, GEG will continue to strengthen its collaboration with SMEs and explore diverse partnership models to achieve mutual growth and success.
Authorities in Myanmar have demolished 333 illegal buildings in the KK Park area as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on telecom fraud and online gambling operations.
According to state-owned Global New Light of Myanmar, the government said Monday that the combined task force—comprising security forces, administrative departments, and local authorities—continues to dismantle structures linked to illicit activities in Shwe Kokko and the Myawady–Maethawtalay (KK Park) zone.
Officials confirmed that 12 additional buildings were demolished on Sunday in KK Park, including two four-story structures and 10 two-story properties allegedly used for online gambling and telecom scam operations. This brings the total number of demolished buildings in KK Park to 333 out of 635 identified illegal structures.
A parallel operation has been underway in nearby Shwe Kokko since November 18th. To date, authorities have inspected 169 of 694 buildings believed to be linked to similar criminal activities. Of those, 161 have been sealed to prevent reuse.
Seized equipment and materials from both sites have been systematically incinerated to ensure they cannot support further scam operations, the report said. The Illegal Foreigner Investigation Team has also been verifying the identities of foreign nationals detained during the raids, collecting personal data and documentation to facilitate their repatriation.
The government reiterated that eliminating telecom fraud and online gambling is a national priority and pledged continued cooperation with domestic agencies and neighboring countries to prevent criminal networks from re-establishing operations within Myanmar.
Korean brokerage Yuanta Securities Korea has strengthened its outlook on Lotte Tour Development, saying the operator of Jeju Dream Tower is poised for continued earnings growth as Chinese tourism rebounds and the company’s market share expands sharply.
The brokerage said on December 8th that Lotte Tour Development is clearly benefiting from improving regional travel dynamics and stronger demand in Jeju’s foreigner-only casino sector.
Citing data reported by local outlet Chosun Biz, analyst Lee Hwan-uk noted that Chinese arrivals to Jeju in the third quarter recovered to 51.3 percent of 2016 levels—before the THAAD dispute disrupted travel flows—while flight frequency between Jeju and China has returned to 84.7 percent. He said improving China–Korea relations and shifting outbound travel patterns are likely to support a solid rebound next year.
It is also noteworthy that Beijing’s sharp reduction in flights to Japan amid ongoing geopolitical tensions has redirected tourists toward alternative destinations, including South Korea. Thailand, another major destination for Chinese travelers, is meanwhile facing headwinds following a nationwide backlash triggered by the kidnapping scandal involving a Chinese actor, as well as concerns from Beijing over Bangkok’s earlier push to legalize gambling.
Lotte Tour Development’s casino business has continued to outperform. Third-quarter net revenue rose 65.4 percent year-on-year to KRW139.3 billion, supported by strong demand at Dream Tower. Visitor numbers increased 60.7 percent to 172,783, while total drop—the amount exchanged for gaming chips—grew 78.4 percent to KRW848.5 billion. Drop per person reached KRW49 million, underscoring the strength of premium play.
Yuanta said Dream Tower’s rising brand recognition is helping the operator consolidate its leadership position in Jeju’s casino market. Market share expanded from 69.6 percent at the end of 2024 to 79 percent by October 2025. Visitor growth in October and November—55.9 percent and 41.3 percent, respectively—continued to exceed expectations, suggesting momentum will carry through the fourth quarter.
Lee added that Lotte Tour Development is well positioned for sustained medium- to long-term improvement, supported by capacity to open more baccarat tables, nearly 1,600 hotel rooms, and continued growth in betting activity. The analysts said conditions across operations appear favorable for further upside growth.
The Acting Chief of the Philippine National Police says that it is further intensifying its efforts to shut down any remaining Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and internet gaming licensees (IGLs).
In a statement on Monday, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. referenced the executive order by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banning all POGO operations.
“The instruction to us is clear: Identify, validate and shut down all the remaining POGOs, particularly those that hide behind the names of BPOs or IT solution companies. We have been complying and we will continue to do so until all of them are gone,” stated the official.
This is done through coordination with the Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Foreign Affairs – particularly in identifying foreign nationals’ attempts to revive underground gaming operations.
The official stated that “there are strong indicators that some illegal POGO/IGL operators are connected to larger transnational cybercrime groups. This is not just simple illegal gambling, there is a possibility that it involves online fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and other cyber-enabled crimes”.
Due to the transnational nature of some of the groups, authorities are coordinating with their foreign counterparts to build cases against illegal operators.
Pasig City, a major urban district in Metro Manila in the Philippines, has imposed a sweeping ban on gambling advertisements and promotions, becoming one of the first local governments in the country to take such a decisive step.
According to the Manila Bulletin, Mayor Vico Sotto announced the measure on December 8th, stating that the new rules are intended to reduce gambling-related harm among residents.
Under Ordinance No. 26 s-2025, authored by Councilor Paul Senogat, the city will prohibit billboards, signage, sponsorships, and all forms of gambling-related advertising or promotional activity within Pasig’s jurisdiction. The policy targets the growing visibility of gambling marketing, which city officials say has contributed to rising cases of addiction and financial distress among Pasigueños.
Sotto said that although certain aspects of gambling regulation fall outside local authority—such as national and online operations—the city can still act to limit exposure at the community level. He stressed that repeated reminders and promotional cues from gambling operators can influence vulnerable individuals, reinforcing harmful behaviors.
The announcement comes as the Philippines intensifies its focus on responsible gaming. Discussions over a national online gambling ban have quieted in recent months after President Marcos did not include the proposal in this year’s policy address. However, at the regulatory level, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) earlier ordered all licensed online gambling operators and service providers to remove out-of-home advertising by August 15th. The directive followed growing criticism from religious groups and lawmakers, who argued that widespread online gambling ads have increased addiction risks, particularly among vulnerable communities.
PAGCOR is also drafting stricter rules governing the placement and timing of gambling-related advertisements, in coordination with the Ad Standards Council, to ensure more consistent enforcement nationwide.
Pasig City has long maintained one of the strongest anti-gambling positions in the country. In 2022, it became the first Philippine city to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and electronic gambling shops under Ordinance 55 s-2022, which outlawed online casinos, e-games, e-bingo, online sabong, poker outlets, and related technical service providers. Sotto said the city’s earlier measures now align with national developments, noting that POGO operations have since been prohibited across the Philippines.
Investment bank UBS has raised its forecast for Macau’s 2026 gross gaming revenue (GGR), citing sustained strength in premium demand and continued expansion of high-end tourism offerings.
In a recent report, the investment bank said it now expects marketwide GGR to rise 6 percent year-on-year in 2026—1 percentage point higher than its previous projection—with premium-focused operators positioned to ‘capture GGR share sustainably.’
The upgraded outlook reflects what UBS described as improving reinvestment trends, broader diversification of Macau’s visitor base, and an increase in luxury accommodation and amenities. Upcoming property enhancements, including new suites at MGM Cotai and the Wynn Tower in early 2026, as well as Melco’s 150-suite Countdown Hotel set to open mid-year, are expected to reinforce demand within the premium segment.
UBS’ revised estimates indicate that Macau’s mass-market GGR will rise 6 percent in 2026, one point higher than previously projected and now 26 percent above 2019 levels. Premium mass continues to be the primary growth driver, supported by targeted marketing efforts and a ‘premiumized demand environment’ that favors operators with strong high-end positioning.
While mass revenue continues to surpass historical benchmarks, the VIP segment remains structurally smaller. VIP GGR for 2026 is expected to grow 6 percent year-on-year—largely unchanged from prior forecasts—but will remain 69 percent below 2019 levels. UBS noted that VIP volumes remain constrained even as premium mass absorbs more share previously held by junket-driven play.
Gradual path back toward pre-pandemic levels
UBS estimates that Macau’s total GGR will reach 89 percent of 2019 levels in 2026, rising to 93 percent in 2027. The bank also raised its 2025 GGR forecast slightly, now expecting 9 percent year-on-year growth and steady momentum across the mass segment.
For the first 11 months of 2025, cumulative GGR reached MOP226.52 billion ($28.32 billion), up 8.6 percent year-on-year. Macau has nearly met the government’s full-year target of MOP228 billion ($28.5 billion) with one month remaining.
The report emphasizes that operators with strong premium offerings are likely to outperform as new suites, entertainment products, and elevated service standards come online. UBS said these additions will support continued growth among high-spending customers despite broader macroeconomic uncertainties.
Mixed revisions across major concessionaires
UBS updated its forecasts for Macau’s major casino operators in line with their varying positions in the premium-led recovery. For Wynn Resorts, the bank maintained its Buy rating, noting the operator’s strong alignment with premium mass demand. UBS raised Wynn’s 2026 Macau revenue estimate by 3 percent to $3.99 billion but cut its EBITDA forecast by 4 percent to $1.17 billion due to higher salary inflation and additional costs related to the gourmet pavilion opening in 2025. Wynn’s mass-market share is expected to rise to 12.5 percent in 2026. The bank also increased its 2025 revenue estimate by 2 percent to $3.74 billion.
For Las Vegas Sands, UBS lifted its 2026 Macau revenue forecast by 4 percent to $8.07 billion and raised its EBITDA estimate by 1 percent to $2.63 billion, representing 12 percent year-on-year growth. The operator’s mass-market share is projected to expand to 26.6 percent in 2026 before easing slightly in 2027 following the opening of Galaxy Macau Phase 4. UBS maintained a Neutral rating.
In contrast, UBS lowered its 2026 estimates for MGM Resorts International, reducing the Macau revenue forecast by 1 percent to $4.49 billion and cutting the EBITDA estimate by 8 percent to $1.14 billion due to ongoing cost pressures. MGM’s mass-market share is expected to remain steady at 16.2 percent. UBS kept its Neutral rating despite the downward revisions.
Australian gaming machine manufacturer Ainsworth Game Technology says that it’s expecting a significant reduction in underlying profit before tax (PBT) for the second half of the year, totaling just AU$7.6 million ($5.05 million), compared to AU$13.9 million ($9.24 million) in the first half of the year.
Underlying PBT for the whole year is expected to total AU$21.5 million ($14.3 million), down slightly from AU$23.2 million ($15.42 million) in FY24.
Revenue for the full-year is expected to rise by 9 percent, however the second-half figure is expected to fall by 11 percent compared to the AU$152.1 million ($101.06 million) in 1H25.
The group notes that this is ‘despite continued momentum within APAC being maintained and an increase within LATAM’.
The group indicated that APAC’s contribution during the 2H25 ‘are expected to be broadly consistent’ to the first half, which was boosted by the February launch of the group’s A-Star Raptor cabinet’.
Latin America ‘maintained and showed a modest increase in revenue’ during the six-month period compared to 1H25.
However, the ‘key market of North America is expected to report a reduction in revenue of approximately 20 percent’ in 2H25 compared to the previous period, primarily due to sales of Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) units in 1H25 which were not repeated in the second half. ‘Participation revenue also contributed to the decline in revenue in North America,’ in 2H25 due to a reduction in the installed units and lower average yield per day of those units.
Overall, the group’s reduction in unit sales in the second half ‘have resulted in increased inventory holdings’, with the company to dip into its bank loan facility with Western Alliance Bancorporation to ‘fund these short-term working capital requirements’.
Good Morning. The domino effect. India’s prompt ban on real money games tipped over the first tile, and now many more are set to fall. The move prompted an immediate exodus of operators from the country, but is now raising questions about even how far legal operations, such as Esports, could be affected or penalized. Meanwhile, Genting Berhad is continuing its push to gain full control of Genting Malaysia, launching a new wave of notes to finance the bid.
What you need to know
India’s online gaming industry is facing widespread disruption after a new federal law imposed a blanket ban on all real-money games.
India’s ban on real money games continues to send shockwaves through the industry, as operators pack their bags and head to greener pastures. The strict penalties under the new legislation also have companies worried about how far it will affect even sectors deemed legal, such as Esports and social gaming, prompting further concern about how these can grow if funding is scarce.
