SJM Resorts donates MOP700,000 to support the 42nd “Walk for a Million”

Macau

AGBrief Editorial

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December 4, 2025

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SJM Resorts donates MOP700,000 to support the 42nd “Walk for a Million”

SJM Resorts has announced its support for the 42nd “Walk for a Million,” contributing MOP700,000 and mobilizing a large team of staff, families, and friends to join the walk on 14 December.

This initiative aims to support the charitable campaign and promote a spirit of solidarity and cooperation.

The cheque presentation ceremony was at the Grand Lisboa Macau, where Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, and Ms. Angela Leong, Director of SJM and Chairman of its Staff Welfare Consultative Committee, presented the donation to the Macau Daily News’ Readers Foundation.

Representatives from the Foundation included Ms. Ho Teng Iat, President; Mr. Lok Po, Mr. Hoi Kin Chong, Vice President; Mr. Vong Kok Seng, President of the Directive Council, and Mr. Kong Kin Hou, Executive Vice President of the Directive Council.

Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, said, “SJM is deeply committed to society and actively promotes a variety of community activities. The ‘Walk for a Million’ is a major annual charity event in Macau, which SJM has consistently supported. We encourage our team members to actively support, lending a helping hand to those in need. Through these practical actions, SJM aims to spread love and generate positive momentum within society.”

Zoom Soccer seamlessly integrates into sportsbooks, delivering a continuous RNG-based feed of ultra-realistic football events 24/7. Sections are always filled with engaging football content, providing operators with a reliable solution during periods when Tier-1 or Tier-2 real football events are scarce or not taking place.

Recreating the world’s most popular leagues, including Zoom EPL, Zoom La Liga, Zoom Serie A & more — the product delivers 30,000+ additional monthly events for players to enjoy. Each match is modelled on real-world team strengths and league dynamics, ensuring authentic, data-driven outcomes that mirror genuine football excitement.

Fully GLI-certified, Zoom Soccer has proven to boost sportsbook turnover by up to 30%, helping operators reduce the volatility of sportsbook revenues and maintain consistent engagement throughout the year.

By joining Sportradar’s OneFeed, a hub that aggregates multiple feed providers into a single plug-and-play solution, Zoom Soccer becomes instantly accessible to Sportradar’s global network of operators, bypassing complex integration processes and accelerating time to market.

Niccolò Cassettari, Chief Business Development Officer at Logifuture, said: “Zoom Soccer is a great addition for Sportradar’s clients, allowing them to deliver engaging football content 24/7. Users are no longer limited by the scarcity of Tier-1 events — we’ve recreated the most popular leagues, ensuring the same betting experience as real matches. All this, powered by RNG logic, helps fight the volatility of sportsbook revenues and ensures steady returns for our partners.

“This integration perfectly aligns with Logifuture’s vision of creating innovative, scalable solutions that keep sportsbooks active around the clock. We’re thrilled to bring Zoom Soccer to Sportradar’s OneFeed and confident it will become a key driver of engagement and growth across multiple markets.”

In a company release, Fernandez noted that “This is a company with strong talent, deep industry relationships, and significant potential. As we bring together the legacy IGT and Everi teams, in partnership with Apollo, we have an opportunity to evolve how we operate, innovate, and deliver for our customers”.

The Apollo Global Management fund manager combined IGT’s Digital & Gaming Business with Everi Holdings, at a deal valued at upwards of $6 billion, which was completed mid-year. The combined enterprise operates under the IGT name, while retaining the Everi brand in ‘select markets and product lines’.

Fernandez now comes on to lead the new joint company, leveraging his previous experience as CEO of Aristocrat Gaming and strong background in finance.

Amongst the shift, former interim enterprise CEO and CEO of the Gaming business unit Nick Khin is stepping down and ‘transitioning into a role as a strategic advisor to the senior leadership team and board of directors’.

Speaking of the change, Fernandez noted that “His leadership through this transition period has been invaluable to the organization, and I want to thank him for his dedication and impact”.

The group notes that ‘IGT’s Digital business unit will continue to be led by Gil Rotem and IGT’s FinTech business unit will continue to be led by Darren Simmons’.

1xBet shines at SiGMA South Asia 2025 with breakthroughs, honors, and strategic alliances

Sri Lanka

AGBrief Editorial

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December 4, 2025

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1xBet shines at SiGMA South Asia 2025 with breakthroughs, honors, and strategic alliances

From November 30 to December 2, Colombo, Sri Lanka, hosted one of the region’s most anticipated iGaming exhibitions, SiGMA South Asia 2025, and the betting powerhouse 1xBet participated in the event, showcasing a range of exclusive offers, recommendations for working with local traffic, and personalized consultations for partners.

To ensure a comfortable and productive interaction, the 1xBet booth featured a relaxation area with refreshments, a series of gaming and interactive activities, and a draw for exclusive branded gifts and a top-of-the-line Apple gadget – the iPad Mini!

The exhibition also featured the SiGMA South Asia Awards ceremony, where 1xBet won two prizes: Best Online Sportsbook and Best Cricket Betting Product. These wins were further recognition of the high quality of the brand’s products and their popularity in the region.

1xBet strategic advisor, Simon Westbury, noted: “It’s always an honour to be recognised by our industry peers and we thank SiGMA for organising such a wonderful ceremony.”

The exhibition’s results confirm the high level of interest in 1xBet in the Asian region, which remains a priority for the company’s development. The 1xPartners affiliate program plays a key role in this process, providing transparent partnership terms for nine years. The program covers over 150 countries, supports over 250 payment methods, and allows partners to earn up to 50% lifetime payouts from each referred player.

Participation in SiGMA South Asia 2025 allowed the brand to consolidate its leadership position, establish new partnerships, and demonstrate its commitment to developing products tailored to the local audience’s needs.

Meanwhile, in the European source markets, Portuguese visitors increased 36.4 percent to 10,337, while Italian visitors rose 22.7 percent to 10,084. The United Kingdom and Germany ranked as the top European source markets, with 33,827 visitors from the UK and 18,012 from Germany during the 10-month period.

In terms of absolute numbers, South Korea remained Macau’s largest international source market, with 434,551 arrivals, followed closely by the Philippines with 427,714.

On the same occasion, Senna Fernandes said that Macau has been selected as the “Ideal Travel Destination 2026” by the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies. She said the city will expand joint promotions next year, including launching online training for industry professionals in English and Spanish.

Macau will also participate in two major European travel fairs and is exploring cooperation with one of Portugal’s largest travel agencies to develop new tourism products and strengthen awareness of Macau among European operators.

PAGCOR recognized for performance and sustainability at GCG Awards

Philippines

AGBrief Editorial

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December 4, 2025

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PAGCOR recognized for performance and sustainability at GCG Awards

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) was recognized with two significant accolades during the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) Awards Ceremony on December 1, reaffirming its stature among the country’s top-performing GOCCs.

The Philippines’ gaming regulator received a 99.92% score on its 2024 Performance Evaluation Scorecard and was also awarded the Sustainability Award for its “exemplary efforts in upholding sustainability values and best practices in corporate governance.”

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said that the recognitions reflect the agency’s progress in steadily improving operations, enhancing regulatory systems, and ensuring that its revenues continuously support essential public programs.

“Our strong 2024 Performance Evaluation Scorecard rating and the Sustainability Award highlight not just operational excellence but also our commitment to transparency, good governance, and nation-building,” he said.

“These awards from the GCG affirm the work we have done to make PAGCOR a transparent, accountable, and high-performing GOCC. It also strengthens our resolve to serve with integrity.”

Mr. Tengco added that PAGCOR “will continue to raise the bar of government service by ensuring that our revenues support essential social services and uplift communities that need help the most.”

In 2024, PAGCOR further enhanced its contributions to national development by remitting Php68.20 billion to nation-building, supporting programs that directly benefit communities through infrastructure projects and disaster response, among others.

Complementing these efforts are PAGCOR’s consistent and substantial dividend remittances to the National Treasury, funding priority government programs and bolstering national resources for health care, sports development and renewable energy programs.

“PAGCOR remains an active partner of the government not only in revenue generation but also in laying the foundation for a stronger nation,” Mr. Tengco said.

“Good governance must translate to real service for the Filipino people. That is why we ensure that every peso generated by PAGCOR is channeled to programs that protect livelihoods, enhance public infrastructure, and support nation-building.”
Alejandro H. Tengco

The GCG Awards annually recognize GOCCs that demonstrate outstanding performance, accountability, and impact through rigorous evaluation standards. PAGCOR’s dual recognition this year underscores its sustained operational improvements and unwavering commitment to responsible gaming and national development.

Under Japanese law, gambling is broadly prohibited, with only limited exceptions such as government-authorized horse racing and (upcoming) land-based casinos. The country’s first integrated resort (IR), which will include a licensed casino, is scheduled to open in Osaka in 2030, with a second round of IR project applications expected soon. Online casinos remain strictly banned.

In an analysis published at the Asia Business Law Journal, Nishimura & Asahi attorneys Tomohiro Takagi, Yuki Matsumoto, and Kazuki Ebihara argued that Esports competitions risk being classified as gambling if entry fees are used to fund prize pools.

To avoid this, the Japan Esports Union (JESU) has issued guidelines requiring entry fees to cover only operating costs, while prizes must come from independent sponsors.

The analysis states that for years, Japan’s Premiums Act capped tournament prizes at JPY100,000 ($672), treating publisher-funded pools as promotional premiums.

Regulators now recognize prize money for professional players as compensation for services rendered, allowing larger prize pools, with JESU encouraging organizers to maintain this classification by issuing professional licenses and limiting participation to invited players.

The legal experts noted that large-scale tournaments such as EVO Japan once faced hurdles under the Amusement Business Act, which required police authorization for fee-based gaming events, while guidelines issued in 2020 eased restrictions, permitting entry fees that cover only operating costs.

Organizers must secure licenses from publishers and rights holders to stream or broadcast gameplay, as Japanese copyright law protects game software, audiovisual assets, and performers’ rights. Foreign players face visa challenges, with no Esports-specific category available, often relying on entertainer or athlete visas.

Japan’s Act on the Protection of Personal Information also applies to Esports events, requiring organizers to safeguard player data and disclose usage purposes. Identifiers such as gamer handles may qualify as personal information if linked to individuals.

Despite progress, Japan’s Esports industry remains entangled in overlapping legal regimes, with the Nishimura & Asahi lawyers stressing that organizers should consult experienced counsel early to navigate gambling, copyright, visa, and privacy rules.

Most of Wynn Al Marjan Island project’s budget already spent or procured – Wynn Resorts

Nelson Moura

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December 4, 2025

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Most of Wynn Al Marjan Island project’s budget already spent or procured – Wynn Resorts

Wynn Resorts indicates the $5.1 billion budget for its Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort is now 67 percent spent or contractually secured, updating investors on construction progress during a market tour in the UAE.

In a presentation for a UAE market tour, the gaming group highlighted that its strategy relies on extensive buyouts, fixed pricing, and contingency reserves to reduce risks to timing, cost and quality.

Roughly $3.4 billion of the project’s total cost has already been spent or fully bought out under procurement commitments.

The resort — set to become the UAE’s first to feature a casino — remains on track for an early 2027 opening, with all tower structural concrete complete and nearly all guest-room structures finished as of late November 2025.

Wynn said about 18,000 construction workers and professionals are on site daily. The tower facade glazing is approximately 70 percent complete, hotel room interior fit-outs are underway across virtually all guest rooms, and low-rise structures are 97 percent complete with interior partitions and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) work progressing across most venues.

The 353-metre tower is set to become one of the tallest hospitality structures in the region, surpassing some of Dubai’s best-known landmarks.

Wynn Al Marjan Island, Hotel entrance project render, Wynn Resorts — _{Hotel arrival at Wynn Al Marjan Island}

Wynn Al Marjan Island, view from the pool, project render, Wynn Resorts — _{Hotel arrival at Wynn Al Marjan Island}

Wynn’s presence has accelerated the transformation of Al Marjan Island, where land prices have nearly tripled since 2021 following the project’s announcement. Global hospitality and branded residential developers, including JW Marriott, Fairmont, Nikki Beach and Janu, have since committed to new projects that have sold out available plots on the island.

Ras Al Khaimah is also undergoing rapid economic expansion under its Vision 2030 plan, which includes more than $35 billion in development and infrastructure investment.

Current projects include an expansion of Emirates Road, a major airport terminal enlargement targeting 3 million passengers by 2028, and an electric air-taxi corridor linking Dubai International Airport to Al Marjan Island by 2027.

Tourism authorities project visitation to reach 11.2 million by 2030, with hotel key supply expected to more than double from 7,472 today to more than 16,000 by the end of the decade. A Colliers study forecasts that by 2027 — the year Wynn opens — room demand in Ras Al Khaimah will outpace supply by over 8,400 keys.

Wynn Resorts estimates the UAE could generate $3–5 billion in annual gaming revenue once three integrated resorts are operating. Based on its modelling, Wynn Al Marjan Island is expected to produce between $1 billion and $1.7 billion in gross gaming revenue at steady state.

The company projects annual property EBITDAM of $500–800 million, implying a project return of 9.8–15.7 percent and a return on equity of 16.7–34.3 percent after the resort’s typical three-year ramp-up period.

Executives say the property will anchor Ras Al Khaimah’s ambitions to become a major international tourism, entertainment and luxury-resort hub.

Sun Group, which operates Phu Quoc International Airport and several other aviation assets, is preparing to launch a new airline, initially targeting high-volume domestic routes before expanding internationally. According to CAPA, the carrier is expected to scale from eight aircraft by the end of 2025 to as many as 100 by 2030, including long-haul models.

Although the island has established links with several international markets, connectivity gaps remain. Sun Group is banking on its vertically and horizontally integrated model — spanning airports, airlines, hotels, attractions, and premium travel services — to improve access and capture higher-value visitor segments. CAPA describes the strategy as an emerging ecosystem in which the group controls the supply chain across air travel, accommodation, and tourism operations.

Phu Quoc Island’s appeal is also set to rise following a major policy shift in Vietnam’s gaming sector. Under Resolution No. 307/2025, issued on November 26th, the government granted permanent local entry at Corona Resort & Casino — the country’s first casino in Phu Quoc permitted to admit Vietnamese nationals on a non-pilot basis.

According to CAPA, the combined effect of expanded air connectivity and broadened access to casino gaming could accelerate Phu Quoc Island’s transformation into a top-tier tourism hub, mirroring integrated aviation-tourism models that have succeeded in Europe and the Americas.

Massive increase in hotel rooms

Speaking to AGB previously, gaming expert Ben Lee – Managing Partner of IGamiX Management and Consulting – noted that the Sun Group also was given a five-year locals-gaming allowance for the multi-billion-dollar property it is building in Van Don. The property is aiming for a 2032 launch.

But the group’s Phu Quoc aspirations are already being cemented, literally, with a “massive project” on the main island and another on the “neighboring island”. Lee indicated that the hotel complex on Phu Quoc itself could total up to 20,000 keys, possibly opening as early as 2027. Meanwhile, the development on the neighboring island could also bring up to another 20,000 room keys into play. “They are building close to Macau’s entire room inventory,” noted Lee.

The expert highlights how the group has leveraged itself to become the top real estate developer in the country in recent years, by creating infrastructure, reclaiming land, building theme parks, airports, creating its own airline (as well as a VIP charter airline) and focusing on the wider picture – which then can also leverage its potential reapplication for a locals gaming license or an expansion from its Van Don property.

According to media reports, Deputy Commissioner of the Thai Central Investigation Bureau Sophon Saraphat said investigators had confiscated assets valued at THB10.15 billion ($318 million). “Arrest warrants have been issued by the Criminal Court for 42 individuals,” Saraphat said, adding that 29 suspects had been taken into custody as of Tuesday.

The latest enforcement action centers on alleged networks tied to Chinese-Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi, head of the US-sanctioned Prince Group, as well as Cambodian nationals Kok An and Yim Leak. Thai authorities said the three were connected to cross-border online fraud operations that used illegal compounds to generate billions from forced labor and trafficking victims.

Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) said investigators uncovered “information on networks of online fraud, human trafficking, and money-laundering” linked to Chen and his associates. Some of the assets seized were tied directly to the tycoon, whose whereabouts remain unknown. It was not immediately clear whether Chen was among those named in the Thai arrest warrants.

The Prince Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Chen could not be reached. The company has previously denied involvement in any illegal activity, rejecting allegations made by Western authorities. In October, the US Justice Department indicted Chen on charges including wire-fraud conspiracy and money-laundering conspiracy for allegedly overseeing forced-labor scam compounds in Cambodia.

Regional scrutiny around Prince Group has intensified in recent months. Authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore have frozen or seized assets linked to the conglomerate worth $354 million and $116 million, respectively, following sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Thai investigators also targeted assets linked to Yim Leak, whom authorities described as the heir to an influential Cambodian network involved in fraudulent financial transactions. AMLO said it confiscated several trading accounts, including shares worth THB6 billion ($188 million) in Bangchak Corporation, a major regional energy company. Bangchak said the actions related to an individual shareholder and stressed that its operations remained unaffected.

Authorities said they have also identified a criminal group operating from facilities in Cambodia owned by Kok An, which allegedly used illicit proceeds to acquire assets in Thailand. Cambodian officials have not publicly responded to the allegations.

Logifuture and Sportradar expand collaboration as “Zoom Soccer” strengthens the OneFeed offering

Logifuture has joined forces with Sportradar to bring its flagship virtual product, Zoom Soccer, into the OneFeed ecosystem — delivering a seamless, always-on football experience to enrich Sportradar’s portfolio.

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IGT officially announces Hector Fernandez as CEO, starting ‘new era of leadership’

International Game Technology (IGT) has now officially announced that Hector Fernandez has joined the company as its new CEO, ushering in a ‘new era of leadership’.

1xBet shines at SiGMA South Asia 2025 with breakthroughs, honors, and strategic alliances

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European visitor arrivals to Macau reach 80% of pre-pandemic levels: MGTO

Macau’s European visitor arrivals recovered to more than 80 percent of 2019 levels from January to October this year, according to Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes.

PAGCOR recognized for performance and sustainability at GCG Awards

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) was recognized with two significant accolades during the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) Awards Ceremony on December 1, reaffirming its stature among the country’s top-performing GOCCs.

“Good governance must translate to real service for the Filipino people. That is why we ensure that every peso generated by PAGCOR is channeled to programs that protect livelihoods, enhance public infrastructure, and support nation-building.”

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Japan’s Esports industry confronts legal challenges amid gambling ban: Lawyers

Japan’s booming Esports sector is facing a complex web of legal hurdles, as strict gambling laws and regulatory frameworks continue to shape the industry, according to a legal analysis by lawyers at Nishimura & Asahi.

Most of Wynn Al Marjan Island project’s budget already spent or procured – Wynn Resorts

Wynn Resorts indicates the $5.1 billion budget for its Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort is now 67 percent spent or contractually secured, updating investors on construction progress during a market tour in the UAE.

Table of Contents

Vietnam’s Sun Group aims to make Phu Quoc Island the next Phuket or Bali

Vietnamese conglomerate Sun Group is intensifying its push to elevate Phu Quoc Island into a leading regional resort destination by coupling aviation expansion with integrated hospitality and entertainment assets.

Massive increase in hotel rooms

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Assets linked to Prince Group among $300M seized in Thai scam network sweep

Thailand has seized assets worth more than $300 million and issued arrest warrants for 42 individuals in a sweeping crackdown on transnational scam networks operating across Southeast Asia, officials announced on Wednesday.

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