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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Genting gets approval for first NY commercial casino

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Genting gets approval for first NY commercial casino
Good Morning. New York. Concrete jungle where dreams are made of. And those dreams just got a lot more real for Genting’s Resorts World New York City, after securing approval for the first commercial casino in the state. While there are still hoops to jump through, the group can now go ahead with its multi-billion-dollar redevelopment plan for its Queens property and tap into a highly-lucrative market. Looking at Macau, analysts have high hopes for December, boosted by a late-November surge after the National Games. But even the increase won’t stop the closure of more satellite casinos, with Kam Pek and Casino Fortuna on the chopping block.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

GENTING

Resorts World New York City wins casino license

Resorts World New York City wins casino license

Genting is set to see a strong boost from its US operations, following the group’s award of the first commercial casino license in New York City. The approval marks the penultimate step in the licensing process, with the New York State Gaming Commission having until the end of the month to ratify the recommendation. The group is hoping to launch hundreds of new table games by the end of March 2026 after a $5.5 billion transformation of its Queen’s property.

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Sri Lanka’s new Gaming Regulatory Authority to improve transparency, boost investor confidence

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Sri Lanka’s new Gaming Regulatory Authority to improve transparency, boost investor confidence

This month marked a watershed moment for Sri Lanka, as it formally launched its new Gaming Regulatory Authority.

The new gaming watchdog was established under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act No. 17 of 2025, which was passed in Parliament in late August and certified by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in early September.

The new legislation replaces former laws including the Betting on Horse Racing Ordinance, 2010 Casino Business Act and the Gaming Ordinance.

Existing operators will be required to transition into compliance under the new regulator.

Sri Lanka

The bill was passed unanimously in Parliament after its approval by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance.

Lawmakers have emphasized that the new watchdog is intended to standardize the sector, strengthen compliance—including anti-money laundering measures—and mitigate potential social harm while supporting tourism and economic growth.

The timing of the body’s establishment has been significant, coming after the August opening of Melco’s City of Dreams Sri Lanka, a $1.2 billion integrated resort that is the largest private investment in the nation.

Industry experts previously told AGB that Sri Lanka’s ambition to position itself as “India’s Macau” hinges on consistent regulation and effective governance, making the new Authority a foundational element for future development.

Okada Manila operator Universal Ent. downgraded to ‘B-‘ by S&P Global

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Okada Manila operator Universal Ent. downgraded to ‘B-‘ by S&P Global

Okada Manila operator Universal Entertainment has been downgraded by analysts at S&P Global based upon ‘prospects of slow recovery’.

Despite the downgrade to ‘B-‘, the analysts indicate that the outlook for the operator remains stable.

According to a Tuesday note, the company’s ‘EBITDA has been significantly below our expectations due to persistent underperformance of it Philippine casino resort business’.

The analysts further noted that it expects the company’s main cash flor ratios ‘to remain at a significantly deteriorated level’.

Despite this, the group notes that ‘the likelihood of a significant deterioration in liquidity is low for the time being’.

The downgrade comes after Universal Entertainment significantly revised down its earnings forecast for this year in mid-November.

S&P analysts are now forecasting EBITDA to remain between JPY24-25 billion for about one year from 2026. The group indicates this is ‘because operating profit of its casino resort business in the Philippines has fallen into the red again due to intensifying competition, although its Japanese gaming machines business has recovered to a certain extent.’

Okada Manila, Universal Entertainment, Philippines

A recovery in EBITDA from Okada Manila ‘will likely be delayed’,  note the analysts, citing ‘sluggish performance of its major VIP customer services from a decrease in the number of overseas tourists from China and other regions to the Philippines’.

The group also notes that the company faces ‘stiff competition’ in the Philippine market, with expectations the company will ‘aim to restore and stabilize performance by trying to attract customers’.

An increase in marketing expenses is expected to contrast the recovery in visitor numbers, with expectations for Okada’s EBITDA to be around JPY12 billion this year and around JPY15-16 billion in 2026.

SOFTSWISS Sportsbook celebrates 5 years of growth from MVP to global B2B leader

AGBrief Editorial
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SOFTSWISS Sportsbook celebrates 5 years of growth from MVP to global B2B leader

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is celebrating its fifth anniversary, marking a major milestone in its journey from MVP to a fully mature, internationally recognized B2B product.

Since its debut in 2020, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook has expanded its sports and esports catalogue, introduced premium cricket, launched a mobile app, added a customisable betting interface, unique bonuses, and various gamification tools for player engagement and retention. It has also introduced seamless integrations with the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator and Jackpot Aggregator. 

An important milestone was reached ahead of UEFA Euro 2024, when the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team delivered 22 new projects across 11 casino platforms, including the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform, within a single month. A breakthrough record was also set when the team launched a project in just 14 days from contract signing to the first bet.

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is engineered for smooth, platform-agnostic integration, enabling fast rollouts on both proprietary and third-party platforms. Delivering a strong player experience and supporting business growth, the Sportsbook seamlessly integrates into any iGaming operation with flexible launch options to meet diverse needs. Recent updates further enhance its efficiency, including API 2.0 for more scalable integrations and a renewed CMS with deeper content control.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, said: “Five years ago, we set out to build a modern Sportsbook – flexible, scalable, and ready for the future of betting. Today, we have a stable architecture, powerful engagement tools, a strong risk management layer, and a team that knows how to move fast without compromising quality. The product has matured, and we are ready to push forward with even greater ambition.”

Delivering 2,000+ betting markets across 200+ sports and esports, with all Sportradar official leagues included, the Sportsbook supports 100,000+ monthly live events and a mobile-first experience that generates over 90% of GGR. Clients also highlight its intuitive CMS, robust risk management, and 24/7 technical assistance, reinforcing the Sportsbook’s position as a reliable B2B solution.

Anton Eshtokin, CMO of Boomerang Partners, shared: “The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is an ideal choice for any iGaming operator looking to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its competitive position in the market. On behalf of our entire team, I’d like to congratulate the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook on reaching this remarkable five-year milestone. As a partner, you’ve consistently demonstrated innovation, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the industry’s evolution. We wish you continued growth, bold ideas, and the drive to keep setting new standards in the iGaming market. May the next five years bring even more success stories and breakthroughs that inspire the entire industry.”

In 2025, the sports betting solution entered a new phase, focusing on architectural upgrades to support faster feature delivery. The team plans to release a new API Tester in December and is preparing for the upcoming launch of virtual sports. The Sportsbook platform also covered urgent Brazilian and Bulgarian regulatory requirements. These strategic moves will allow the solution to maintain momentum and scale to meet the growing expectations of operators in diverse markets.

ZITRO gears up for ICE Barcelona with FANTASY cabinet line showcase

AGBrief Editorial
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ZITRO gears up for ICE Barcelona with FANTASY cabinet line showcase

At ICE Barcelona this year, ZITRO is bringing its “JUST DIFFERENT” philosophy to life with the European debut of the FANTASY cabinet and a broadened portfolio across land-based and digital markets.

“JUST DIFFERENT” isn’t just a tagline; it’s how ZITRO operates, how they build products, and this year, how they’re approaching their entire presence at the show. Visitors can expect an equally distinctive experience.

At the heart of the showcase is FANTASY, a cabinet built to attract players from the moment they see it. Representing the next leap in hardware innovation, FANTASY arrives with an entirely new library of games designed specifically for the platform, featuring spectacular animations, graphics, and multimedia elements that wrap around the gameplay to create a complete entertainment experience.

Alongside FANTASY, ZITRO will showcase an expanded game library for its popular CONCEPT cabinet, giving operators even more reliable content to drive floor performance. The enhanced portfolio demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting operator success with diverse game options, backed by robust platforms that continue delivering results.

ZITRO’s digital division continues building momentum with four new game releases debuting at the show: Golden Oink Trio, Pan Du, Thunder Coins, and FL Irish. These titles join ZITRO Digital’s growing portfolio of content designed for online and mobile platforms, extending the company’s innovative reach beyond the casino floor and into the rapidly expanding digital realm. 

“At ZITRO, we’ve built our reputation on approaching the market differently, and ICE Barcelona will showcase that philosophy across every aspect of our business,” said Johnny Ortiz, Founder of ZITRO. “The European launch of FANTASY is a significant milestone for the company, and we’re confident that operators will recognize the innovation and quality that have always defined our products. We look forward to welcoming the industry to experience what makes us just different.”

Genius Sports and FanDuel launch NBA & WNBA content platform

AGBrief Editorial
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Genius Sports and FanDuel launch NBA & WNBA content platform

Genius Sports has partnered with FanDuel Sports Network to launch the first nationwide Intelligent Content Platform, enabling brands to connect more deeply with U.S. sports fans.

Across more than 300 NBA games per season, as well as the WNBA, Genius Sports will empower brand partners with premium, in-game ad inventory across linear, digital and streaming environments. Brands can own key moments of the live action with real-time, sponsorable game insights, including Player ID, Shot Probability, Shot and Defender Distance, and Heat Maps.

Genius Sports and FanDuel launch NBA & WNBA content platform

Genius Sports’ broader partnership with FanDuel Sports Network provides brands with a national footprint, enabling them to reach local and national audiences with scale, precision and context. The national launch is grounded in proven performance – Genius Sports’ track-record includes powering game-changing augmented ads for brands including NBA 2K across recent 2025 WNBA broadcasts on FanDuel Sports Network.

At the heart of these activations is GeniusIQ, Genius Sports’ proprietary AI and sports data platform. GeniusIQ transforms live sports broadcasts by applying machine learning to masses of live game data, creating breakthrough sponsorship opportunities and performance insights that engage fans at the moments of highest emotional engagement. GeniusIQ transforms live broadcasts into dynamic, brand-ready canvases that react to the game as it unfolds in real time — enabling advertisers to reach fans at the moments of highest emotional engagement.

“This partnership reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, fan-forward experiences at scale,” said Jim Keller, EVP, Head of Advertising and Sponsorship Sales at FanDuel Sports Network. “By pairing Genius Sports’ real-time intelligence with our network’s unmatched scale, we’re giving brands the ability to connect with fans with moments that matter most, creating more meaningful opportunities across every screen.”

“Partnering with FanDuel Sports Network represents a transformative step in how brands use the power of live sports to engage audiences,” added Sean Conroy, EVP of Genius Sports. “Together, we’re creating the first truly unified augmented advertising network in live sports, giving brands the ability to reach fans with relevant, real-time content at the moments that matter most. This collaboration underscores a clear industry shift: rights holders and advertisers alike are demanding new, data-driven ways to captivate fans.”

Red Rake Gaming partners with QTech Games to expand global presence

AGBrief Editorial
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Red Rake Gaming partners with QTech Games to expand global presence

Red Rake Gaming has entered into a new partnership with QTech Games, a premier aggregator with a strong footprint across emerging global markets.

This collaboration brings Red Rake’s diverse and visually engaging portfolio of slots to QTech Games’ extensive aggregation platform, giving players across multiple continents access to high-quality, entertainment-focused casino content.

Founded in 2015, QTech Games is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2025. Over the past decade, the company has grown from rapid early-stage expansion to become a dominant force in emerging markets worldwide. With a global presence —including a new tech hub in Spain and offices in Malta—and Latin America, QTech Games has established itself as a fully-fledged international powerhouse.

QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “It’s another notch on our belt to have integrated more premium content from Red Rake Gaming. Theirs is a growing and constantly innovating library, delivering impressive support to the depth of our broad igaming-vertical spread.” 

Players can now enjoy titles from the Million Series, the Super Stars Series, and seasonal slots such as Halloween Wins and Christmas Wins, alongside new adventures including Azteca Gold Collect, Sherlock and the Stolen Gems, Beating Alcatraz, Big Size Fishin’, and Midas Wins.

Nick Barr, Managing Director for Red Rake Gaming Malta, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with QTech Games and bring our portfolio of games to their growing network. Their leadership in emerging markets and innovative approach to aggregation allow us to reach new players and provide them with high-quality gaming experiences featuring unique features and visually engaging content. This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening our presence in key markets and further establishing Red Rake Gaming’s international presence.”








Blask analytics report October as the leading month for global iGaming in 2025

AGBrief Editorial
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Blask analytics report October as the leading month for global iGaming in 2025

October marks the pinnacle of global iGaming activity, according to new data from market intelligence ecosystem Blask.

The survey, which draws upon data from 107 countries tracked by Blask, found that October was the industry’s biggest month in 37 different markets, including Italy, Mexico and the Philippines.

The peak in activity is credited to the football season, which is in full swing during the month including two Champions League rounds, the latter stages of the Copa Libertadores, international fixtures and the usual domestic fixtures.

December came in second place, topping the ranking in 22 markets – including France, South Korea and Denmark – buoyed by the holiday season and a busy schedule in the Premier League.

Sixteen markets, including Spain, Nigeria and Malaysia, recorded September as their markets’ busiest month, driven by enthusiasm at the start of the new football season.

AI transforming chaos into clarity in iGaming analytics: Blask CEO
Max Tesla

Max Tesla, co-founder and CEO of Blask, said: “Seasonality has always influenced player behaviour, but seeing it mapped across more than a hundred markets gives the industry a much clearer picture of how demand ebbs and flows. October’s dominance shows just how central football is to global engagement. This kind of insight helps operators plan smarter, time their campaigns better and ultimately understand their customers in a more meaningful way.”

The ranking comes from Blask’s new Seasonality widget in Blask Index Trends, which aggregates monthly market activity and visualizes daily and hourly “heat maps.” The data covers the period from early 2024 to today.

Konami Gaming’s SYNKROS powers the launch of Pennsylvania’s Happy Valley Casino

AGBrief Editorial
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Konami Gaming’s SYNKROS powers the launch of Pennsylvania’s Happy Valley Casino

Konami Gaming announced that Happy Valley Casino in State College, Pennsylvania, set to open in 2026, has selected its SYNKROS casino management system. The property is the latest to secure a Category 4 license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The upcoming casino will feature 600 slot machines, 30 live table games, diverse dining options, and more, supported by Konami’s SYNKROS platform for loyalty and enterprise management.

“Delivering a top-tier guest experience is core to Happy Valley Casino, as the property looks ahead to opening its doors to future patrons from across the region,” said Eric Pearson, CEO & General Manager at Happy Valley Casino. “The level of convenience, efficiency, innovation, and system reliability that Konami’s SYNKROS casino management system provides is central to achieving this mission, both in Happy Valley Casino’s immediate launch phase and in the years to come.”

Beyond SYNKROS’ industry-leading marketing suite, robust system integrations, and real-time 99.9% availability, guests at Happy Valley Casino are slated to benefit from on-demand digital drink order options directly at the game device through SYNKROS Drink System.

SYNKROS Drink System by Konami Gaming
Konami’s SYNKROS scores two honors at the Gaming & Technology Awards 2025
Randy Caron, VP of Systems Sales at Konami Gaming
Randy Caron, VP of Systems Sales at Konami Gaming

The casino is also positioned for faster team response times on the floor with the support of Konami’s Konetic employee mobile app and its fully advanced Dispatch module. These tools and more interact seamlessly with SYNKROS’ single code base system, backed by best-of-breed architecture. 

“Happy Valley Casino is progressing to its grand opening with top technology in place to engage casino guests, empower team members, and drive long-term success,” added Randy Caron, VP of Systems Sales at Konami Gaming, Inc. “Guests at Pennsylvania’s newest casino can look forward to a totally fresh and convenient gaming experience at Happy Valley Casino, which Konami is dedicated to supporting through its award-winning SYNKROS casino management system.” 

Macau GGR momentum builds as analysts forecast 15% growth for December

Viviana Chan
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Macau GGR momentum builds as analysts forecast 15% growth for December

Macau’s gaming sector is set for a strong end of the year, with analysts pointing to November’s solid performance as a clear indicator that December’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) is positioned for a robust start.

According to CLSA, November GGR rose 14.4 percent year on year to MOP21.1 billion ($2.64 billion), outperforming both its forecast and Bloomberg consensus by 3–4 percent. The firm noted that the month implied an average daily GGR run rate of MOP703 million ($87.9 million), or MOP784 million ($98 million) from November 24th to 30th, reflecting a stronger-than-usual finish to what is typically a softer period.

Macau November GGR tops $2.64B, up 14.4% YoY

CLSA highlighted that the late-month acceleration was likely supported by the conclusion of the 2025 National Games, held from November 9th to 21st across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. The brokerage said the performance ‘foreshadows a strong start to Macau’s GGR in December 2025,’ citing healthier traffic and resilient mass-market demand.

Looking ahead, CLSA forecasts December GGR to grow 15 percent year on year to MOP20.9 billion ($2.61 billion), equivalent to an average daily rate of MOP674 million ($84.3 million). The projection reflects a low comparison base from December 2024, when about two weeks of traffic-control measures constrained visitation. ‘December is well-positioned for a strong start,’ the analysts wrote, adding that upside risk remains given the recent momentum.

Year to date, Macau’s gaming revenue has climbed 8.6 percent to MOP226.5 billion ($28.3 billion), though it is still 16 percent below the same period in 2019. Even so, November’s result marks the second straight month of exceeded expectations, reinforcing an improving trajectory heading into the peak holiday season.

Macau November gaming revenue tops $2.64B, up 14.4% YoY

The sector’s rebound has been led by the mass segment, which industry analysts estimate has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels. J.P. Morgan noted that mass-market GGR has risen to more than 125 percent of 2019 levels, while VIP revenue—despite growing at a faster rate—remains at roughly one-third of pre-COVID volumes. The bank added that November’s print represents Macau’s strongest recovery level since the pandemic, reaching 92 percent of 2019 GGR.

J.P. Morgan also said December could ‘finish 2025 with a bang,’ projecting the possibility of more than 20 percent year-on-year growth if current trends continue. A strong December would position fourth-quarter GGR to grow 15–16 percent year on year, which the bank said would represent ‘the best quarter in six years.’

Market sentiment is expected to benefit from the accelerating revenue trend, supported by improving earnings visibility and broader investor optimism. CLSA named Galaxy Entertainment and MGM China as its top sector picks, citing solid fundamentals and strong exposure to premium-mass demand.

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