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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Analysts concerned over Genting acquisition

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Analysts concerned over Genting acquisition
Good Morning. All is well that ends well. And hopefully that will be the case for Genting’s proposed takeover of its subsidiary, valued at some $1.6 billion. But analysts are not so keen on the idea, noting the potential strain on finances, prompting a downgrade of their review of the operator. Looking to South Korea, the country is in high gear to stamp out scams targeting its countrymen, hoping to coerce Cambodia to up its game in the fight. Meanwhile, in Macau, VIP play is on the up again, with 3Q25 data showing that the sector refuses to be shut down.

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Genting, Malaysia

Analysts worried over Genting’s takeover bid

Despite its aspirations for a New York downstate casino license, Genting may be overreaching, according to analysts. The experts caution the financial strength of the company going into the proposed takeover, despite noting its potential future benefits. The trepidation has resulted in a downgrade by Moody’s, which could potentially worsen if the company is not awarded a license for the much sought after New York casinos.

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Macau VIP play sees strong rise in 3Q25, as other metrics lag

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Macau VIP play sees strong rise in 3Q25, as other metrics lag

Macau’s VIP section is resiliently holding on, generating a 29.1 percent yearly increase in revenue during the third quarter of the year, hitting MOP 16.88 billion ($2.11 billion).

According to the most recent data from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), mass market baccarat play generated MOP36.49 billion during the quarter, up from MOP35.58 billion ($4.44 billion) in 2Q25.

Meanwhile, slot machine play was down slightly during the period, amounting to just MOP3.44 billion ($429.65 million), compared to MOP3.51 billion ($438.4 million) in 2Q25.

Similarly, Live Multi Game play revenue saw a slight dip, hitting MOP1.24 billion ($154.88 million), as opposed to MOP1.26 billion ($157.37 million) in the second quarter.

Sports betting also saw a downturn during the quarter, with football betting only hitting MOP991 million ($123.78 million) and basketball topping out at MOP412 million ($51.46 million), both drops from the previous quarter.

New York’s downstate commercial casino licenses down to three bids

Nelson Moura
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New York’s downstate commercial casino licenses down to three bids

The competition for New York’s downstate commercial casino licenses has narrowed significantly, with the three remaining contenders—Resorts World New York City, Bally’s Corporation, and the partnership of Steve Cohen/Hard Rock International—submitting their supplemental applications to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board.

According to The Wall Street Journal, this development follows the unexpected withdrawal of MGM Resorts International’s bid for a full casino at its Empire City Casino in Yonkers.

MGM attributed its decision to a “shift in the competitive and economic assumptions,” specifically noting that the reduction of the license term from 30 years to 15 years altered the expected financial returns.

With MGM’s exit, the race among the final three has intensified. Resorts World is proposing a $5.5 billion redevelopment of its existing Queens venue into a full-scale integrated resort.

The company is offering the most aggressive financial package, including the highest proposed tax rates (56 percent for slots and 30 percent for table games) and a $600 million license fee, claiming its project will generate the highest gross gaming revenue and taxes.

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock are pushing for their $8 billion “Metropolitan Park” project next to Citi Field in Queens.

Meanwhile, Bally’s is proposing a $4 billion casino resort near its golf course at Ferry Point in the Bronx, positioning it as a major regional attraction. The New York State Gaming Commission is expected to announce the winners of up to three available licenses by the end of the year.

Ex-PNP chief Benjamin Acordato leads crackdown on organized crime, illegal POGOs in the Philippines

Frank Schuengel
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Ex-PNP chief Benjamin Acordato leads crackdown on organized crime, illegal POGOs in the Philippines

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has sworn in retired police general Benjamin Acorda Jr. as the new executive director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), marking a notable appointment amid ongoing government efforts to tackle organized crime and illegal online gambling operations in the Philippines.

Acorda, who headed the Philippine National Police (PNP) from April 2023 to April 2024, brings with him a long track record in law enforcement and intelligence. A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991, he was among the founding members of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group and has held several high-profile roles, including deputy director of the National Capital Region Police Office, director of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, and chief of the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division.

PAOCC, Philippines

Before his term as PNP chief, Acorda served as director for Intelligence from August 2022 to April 2023 and led the Police Regional Office 10 (Northern Mindanao) from late 2021 to mid-2022. His appointment to the PAOCC is expected to reinforce the agency’s intelligence-driven operations against organized crime and corruption.

The PAOCC, created through Executive Order 295 in 2000, is mandated to investigate and prosecute organized criminal groups, pursue corrupt officials, and coordinate anti-crime initiatives across government agencies.

In recent years, the commission has become increasingly active in addressing the surge of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which have been linked to various criminal activities including human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.

Acorda succeeds Gilbert Cruz, who will reportedly transition to another government role.

Genting Malaysia takeover bid may weaken Genting Berhad’s credit standing: Moody’s

Viviana Chan
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Genting Malaysia takeover bid may weaken Genting Berhad’s credit standing: Moody’s

Moody’s Ratings has placed the issuer ratings of Genting Berhad, Genting Overseas Holdings Limited, and Genting Singapore Limited under review for downgrade, warning that Genting Berhad’s proposed acquisition of the remaining shares in Genting Malaysia Berhad could significantly strain the group’s financial strength.

The review affects Genting Berhad’s Baa2 issuer rating, Genting Overseas Holdings’ Baa2 issuer rating, and Genting Singapore’s A3 issuer rating, all of which previously carried a stable outlook. Moody’s also placed on review the Baa2 backed senior unsecured rating of the notes issued by Genting Overseas Holdings’ subsidiary, GOHL Capital Limited.

The credit review follows Genting Berhad’s announcement of a conditional voluntary cash offer of MYR2.35 ($0.49) per share to acquire the remaining 50.6 percent of Genting Malaysia it does not already own. The deal, valued at up to MYR6.74 billion ($1.6 billion), would be largely funded by as much as MYR6.3 billion ($1.5 billion) in new debt and is expected to close within 60 days, subject to regulatory approval and shareholder acceptance.

“The review for downgrade reflects our expectation that Genting Berhad’s credit quality will weaken materially, depending on the level of acceptance of its proposed takeover offer for Genting Malaysia, which will be largely debt-funded,” said Anthony Prayugo, a Moody’s Ratings Analyst. “Genting Berhad’s credit metrics are already weak and the proposed transaction would delay any meaningful deleveraging.”

Moody’s estimates that Genting Berhad’s adjusted debt-to-EBITDA ratio could rise to about 5.1 times in 2025 if the acquisition is completed as planned, surpassing its 4.0x downgrade threshold. The agency previously expected Genting to improve its leverage through earnings growth from its gaming operations in Malaysia, Singapore, and Las Vegas, but now anticipates that the new debt will postpone recovery.

The agency also noted that Genting Berhad’s financial profile could deteriorate further if its subsidiary Genting New York LLC succeeds in winning one of three casino licenses in downstate New York, which could entail $5.5 billion in potential investment.

Resorts World Sentosa, Genting Singapore, Genting Berhad
Resorts World Sentosa, Genting Singapore

Despite the added risk, Moody’s said Genting Berhad maintains strong liquidity, supported by dividends from its operating subsidiaries and a well-managed debt maturity profile. The review is expected to conclude within 60–90 days and will assess the transaction’s final funding structure and the group’s plans to reduce leverage.

Genting Overseas Holdings’ and Genting Singapore’s ratings are being reviewed in line with the parent company’s downgrade watch. Moody’s emphasized that Genting Singapore’s standalone financial strength remains solid, underpinned by minimal debt and substantial cash holdings of SG$3.3 billion ($2.43 billion) as of June 2025.

South Korea seeks ASEAN action on Cambodia’s scam-linked crimes

Frank Schuengel
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South Korea seeks ASEAN action on Cambodia’s scam-linked crimes

South Korea is pushing for regional cooperation against online scam operations in Cambodia, with President Lee Jae Myung’s administration planning to raise the issue at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia this October.

The move comes amid a surge in job scams and related violent crimes that have increasingly targeted Korean nationals across Southeast Asia.

Wi Sung-lac, director of South Korea’s National Security Office, said Thursday that the government is seeking to use the ASEAN platform to promote a multilateral framework for combating organized crime networks operating in Cambodia and neighboring countries. “The ASEAN Summit will be an opportunity to establish a cooperative system, including joint investigations with ASEAN policing authorities,” Wi said in a press briefing.

Wi noted that the proposal would likely center on enhancing regional coordination to address cross-border crimes linked to scam compounds in Cambodia, which have become a regional hotspot for human trafficking and forced labor. “Many countries are involved, and it may be efficient for the issue to be discussed at a multilateral meeting,” he said, adding that similar discussions could also take place under the United Nations and the OECD.

Poipet
Cars for sale in Poipet, Cambodia.

Seoul’s renewed focus on the issue follows multiple reports of Koreans being lured to Cambodia through fake job offers, only to be kidnapped, confined, or forced to work in scam operations. South Korea’s interagency delegation, led by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a, traveled to Phnom Penh this week to meet Prime Minister Hun Manet and senior officials from a special committee under the Cambodian Prime Minister’s Office.

The visit, ordered by President Lee, aimed to secure the release of about 60 Koreans currently detained in scam-related cases and to enhance bilateral cooperation in cracking down on transnational criminal groups.

According to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, 330 cases of Koreans reported missing or forcibly confined in Cambodia were logged between January and August 2025, compared to 220 cases in 2024. While most have since been resolved, around 80 cases remain open. However, intelligence officials believe the true number of victims could exceed 1,000.

South Korean police are also investigating the recent death of a Korean woman in her 30s found on October 8th in southern Vietnam near the Cambodian border. Authorities are examining whether her death is linked to regional scam operations, which Seoul estimates involve up to 200,000 people worldwide.

“The emerging threat of transnational scams cannot be solved by one country alone,” Wi said. “To uproot these crimes, cooperation with Cambodia and other affected nations is crucial.”

Macau shop selling cigarettes and liquor busted for illegal money exchange worth $6.3M

Viviana Chan
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Macau shop selling cigarettes and liquor busted for illegal money exchange worth $6.3M

Macau police have arrested three people suspected of running an illegal money exchange business that handled nearly HK$49.5 million ($6.3 million) for gamblers, in violation of the city’s anti-illegal gambling law.

The Judiciary Police said on Thursday that the suspects — a 53-year-old local woman who owns a shop selling cigarettes and liquor in the city center, a 34-year-old male non-resident worker, and a 47-year-old female employee — were detained during coordinated operations in the central district and the NAPE area.

Officers seized approximately MOP269,280 ($33,500) in cash believed to be linked to the illicit activity, along with transaction records and other evidence.

Investigations revealed that the shop, which appeared to sell cigarettes and liquor, was used as a front to provide unauthorized money exchange services to casino patrons. Police surveillance showed two mainland men entering the store to exchange Hong Kong dollars before heading directly to nearby casinos. The employees allegedly used personal online payment platforms to collect funds and transfer them to designated accounts.

Since the enforcement of the Law on Combating Illegal Gambling Crimes in October 2024, the shop is believed to have conducted illegal money exchanges totaling HK$49.5 million ($6.3 million), earning unlawful profits of about HK$1.24 million ($160,000).

The three suspects have been charged with “operating an illegal money exchange for gambling purposes.” The case was referred to the Public Prosecutions Office on Thursday afternoon for further investigation.

CreedRoomz and Betano unite to drive innovation in live gaming

AGBrief Editorial
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CreedRoomz and Betano unite to drive innovation in live gaming

CreedRoomz, a leading provider of live casino games and solutions, has announced its latest strategic partnership with Betano, a leading global online sports betting and gaming operator part of Kaizen Gaming. 

This collaboration will see CreedRoomz’s extensive portfolio of high-quality live casino games integrated into Betano, making them available to its wide and engaged player base.

Through this landmark agreement, Betano’s customers will gain access to CreedRoomz’s dynamic and engaging suite of live casino games, including classic favourites such as Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, as well as unique and innovative titles like Richie Wheel, Richie Fruits Roulette, and more.

This partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies and continues CreedRoomz’s strategic expansion across key regulated European markets. For CreedRoomz, it represents an opportunity to expand its reach through one of the industry’s most respected and fastest-growing operators. 

For Betano, the addition of CreedRoomz’s content further strengthens its live casino offering, reinforcing its commitment to providing players with the most diverse and premium gaming content available.

“We are incredibly excited to share our new collaboration with Betano,” said the Head of Live Casino of CreedRoomz. “Partnering with a brand of Betano’s caliber is a testament to the quality and appeal of our live casino offering. This collaboration is a key step in our continued European expansion, and we are particularly excited to enhance our footprint in key markets, especially Denmark. We share a common vision for delivering exceptional and entertaining experiences to players, and we are confident that our games will resonate strongly with the Betano audience.”

ZITRO celebrates milestone G2E 2025 event with largest-ever exhibit

AGBrief Editorial
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ZITRO celebrates milestone G2E 2025 event with largest-ever exhibit

ZITRO, the global gaming powerhouse, electrified G2E Las Vegas 2025 with the long-awaited reveal of FANTASY—its most luxurious and advanced cabinet ever.

More than all-new hardware, FANTASY is designed to be felt, blending design, technology, and emotion into every detail. The stunning bank packaging made FANTASY the show’s highlight, alongside exclusive game releases—including Gold Space, Brave Dragon, Lion Falls, Fantasy Mine, and Rock n’ Raccoons—offering players a complete sensory experience.

ZITRO is set to debut FANTASY at G2E Las Vegas 2025
FANTASY by ZITRO

Complementing this spectacular showcase, ZITRO also displayed its CONCEPT cabinet, featuring beloved fan favorites like Legendary Sword and King Fu Frog alongside never-before-seen titles like River Gold Wealth, Tied Up! Coins, Goddess Saga, Ancient Link, Haunted Fortune, Octo Gold, Rainbow Birds, Spin Fu, and much more. The lineup demonstrated ZITRO’s commitment to delivering diverse and engaging experiences that perform on casino floors.

Adding to the momentum, Zitro Digital offered online operators a first look at its latest online slots and video bingo titles. Highlights included Dreams, the first in the Fairyland Quest series, Elysium from Legendary Sword, Autumn from Fu Pots, and Monk from Bashiba Link. Visitors also got a sneak peek at Tomahawk, part of the new Cash Totems series. Together, these digital offerings reinforced ZITRO’s investment in innovation and omnichannel gaming.

Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, Founder of ZITRO, said, “FANTASY is an experience that wakes up your senses. Every light, color, curve, and texture was designed to tell a story. Seeing attendees’ reactions at the booth and the energy around the cabinet—it’s been incredible. We’re so grateful to everyone who stopped by to share this moment with us.”

Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, Founder of ZITRO
Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, Founder of ZITRO
Derik Mooberry, CEO at ZITRO USA
Derik Mooberry, CEO at ZITRO USA

Derik Mooberry, CEO of ZITRO USA, added, “The response to FANTASY has been amazing. It’s clear that our focus on immersive games and premium experiences resonates with operators and players alike. We want to thank everyone who visited our booth and supported us— this year’s G2E was truly a milestone for ZITRO.”

Blueprint Gaming rolls out new four-pots mechanic in Cash Strike Power Force 5

AGBrief Editorial
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Blueprint Gaming rolls out new four-pots mechanic in Cash Strike Power Force 5

Blueprint Gaming has introduced a new four pots mechanic and enlarged 5×3 grid to its latest release, Cash Strike Power Force 5, marking an innovative double debut for the internationally recognized series.

With various iterations from the Cash Strike family consistently ranking in the supplier’s top 10 revenue-generating markets, the new title builds on the impressive momentum from its predecessors.

In a series first, four newly introduced collect symbols are gathered alongside cash icons by their matching symbols sitting above the reels. In an immediate enhancement to base play, once any of the four have been gathered, they pose a chance of triggering the Cash Strike Bonus Game with their respective modifiers – Expand, Boost, Multiply or Respin.

Standing as the game’s showstopper, landing a collect symbol on reel three can also randomly trigger Power Force 5, which sees the bonus game launch with all four pot features in play, considerably boosting the win potential on offer.

For those in pursuit of further engagement, Power Play is also welcomed back in Blueprint’s October release. Available at 5x the original bet, only cash or collect symbols feature, adding a lavish flair to the reels.

Cash Strike Power Force 5 showcases Blueprint Gaming’s commitment to developing new concepts that attract the attention of players and deliver increased engagement opportunities for operators worldwide.

Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing, PR and Events, said: “Cash Strike Power Force 5 represents everything players and operators love about the Cash Strike series, while taking things to the next level with our new four-pots mechanic and expanded reel set. The introduction of varied modifiers, including the intriguing Power Force 5 feature, injects fresh excitement into every spin, demonstrating our continued drive to evolve top-performing formats with bold and engaging innovations.” 

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