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New rolling commission program could add $67M to Jeju Dream Tower revenue: brokerage

Viviana Chan
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New rolling commission program could add $67M to Jeju Dream Tower revenue: brokerage

A new rolling commission program launching in May at the Jeju Dream Tower could add more than KRW 100 billion ($66.78 million) in annual revenue for operator Lotte Tour Development, according to Hana Securities.

The program leverages Korea’s 15 percent casino tax rate versus Macau’s 40 percent rate, giving the Jeju property room to offer more competitive commission terms to junket operators and premium players than rivals in the Chinese gaming hub.

As reported by local media outlet Aju Press, Hana Securities cited the rolling commission launch as one of three operational levers supporting its bullish view on Lotte Tour Development, which the brokerage designated its top pick in the leisure sector earlier this week.

The second lever is capacity expansion on the Jeju casino floor. Gaming tables increased from 149 in 2024 to 169 by the first quarter of 2026, with three additional tables planned. Slot machines are set to expand from 287 in 2025 to 371 this year.

The third lever concerns hotel room allocation. Of the 1,600 rooms at the integrated resort complex, the share offered as casino complimentary inventory has grown from 30 percent to between 45 percent and 50 percent. Hana Securities estimates that raising that share to 60 percent could push monthly casino revenue to KRW 60 billion ($40.07 million).

The call follows first-quarter earnings disclosed on May 14th, when Lotte Tour Development reported a 121.5 percent jump in operating profit to KRW 28.8 billion ($19.23 million) on revenue of KRW 156.2 billion ($104.32 million). Operating margin rose to 18.4 percent from 8.3 percent a year earlier.

The Jeju Dream Tower’s casino segment drove the outperformance. Casino revenue rose 40.3 percent to KRW 118.6 billion ($79.21 million), visitor entries grew 37.3 percent to 150,553, and table drop — the amount of money exchanged for chips — increased 36.7 percent to KRW 573.9 billion ($383.29 million). The casino’s hold rate reached 22.6 percent in April, approaching the 26.1 percent average recorded by Macau’s nine major Cotai integrated resorts.

The structural backdrop for the rolling program launch is the return of Chinese tourists to Jeju under the island’s visa-free entry program and the lifting of China’s unofficial restrictions on Korean tourism. Casino drop at the Dream Tower rose to KRW 2.77 trillion ($1.85 billion) in 2025 from KRW 1.73 trillion ($1.16 billion) in 2024, representing a 60 percent increase.

Hana Securities indicated that additional debt refinancing opportunities could emerge in the second half of 2026, when stronger cash flow, the new rolling program, and the peak tourism season are projected to converge.

Macau Legend appoints Baker Tilly as auditor in cost-cutting move

Viviana Chan
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Macau Legend appoints Baker Tilly as auditor in cost-cutting move

Macau Legend Development Limited has appointed Baker Tilly as its new auditor for the 2025 financial year, replacing Ernst & Young (EY). The Hong Kong-listed company disclosed the change in a clarification announcement on May 20th, citing the failure of the two parties to agree on audit fees.

In the filing, Macau Legend explained that EY’s resignation, formalized on December 1st, 2025, followed the company’s request for a fee reduction as part of ongoing cost-control measures and after receiving more competitive quotes from other audit firms. The board characterized the departure as a mutual decision.

The company said Baker Tilly’s lower fee reflects its ‘commercial approach’ and ‘lower cost structure’ compared to Big Four firms, noting that EY’s pricing included ‘a premium reflecting its long-standing market presence.’ The reduced scope of the FY2025 audit also supported a lower fee, following the reclassification of Macau Legend’s gaming segment as a discontinued operation, the disposal of its Laos business, and minimal activity at its Cape Verde investment project.

The audit committee endorsed the appointment, stating that audit quality would not be compromised. Baker Tilly has assigned a 10-member team led by an engagement director with over 23 years of experience, allocating more than 3,000 man-hours to the engagement. Planning began in December 2025, with substantive procedures running from January through March 2026.

Key audit matters identified include impairment of non-current assets in Macau, expected credit losses on trade receivables, revenue recognition, management override of controls, and going concern. The going concern matter is particularly relevant given Macau Legend’s reported HK$1.56 billion ($199.2 million) loss for FY2025 and net current liabilities of approximately HK$2.7 billion ($344.8 million).

AGTech expects FY2025/26 loss to narrow to $7.5M

AGBrief Editorial
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AGTech expects FY2025/26 loss to narrow to $7.5M

Lottery and integrated technology and services company AGTech Holdings expects to substantially narrow its losses for the financial year ended March 31st, 2026, according to a profit alert filed with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

The Hong Kong-listed group said it anticipates a loss of no more than HK$59 million ($7.5 million) for FY2025/26, compared with approximately HK$99 million ($12.6 million) in FY2024/25. The loss attributable to owners of the company is expected to be no more than HK$45 million ($5.7 million), down from approximately HK$90 million ($11.5 million) the previous year.

The board attributed the improvement primarily to a revenue increase of at least 22 percent, driven by the full-year consolidation of Ant Bank (Macao), in which the group acquired a controlling stake on September 2nd, 2024. The prior year reflected only about seven months of contribution from the unit.

The group also recorded no fair value changes on convertible term loan facilities of up to INR1.32 billion (approximately HK$137.3 million, or $17.5 million) previously extended to First Games Technology Private Limited, a 45 percent-owned Indian joint venture.

A fair value loss of around HK$71 million ($9.1 million) had been booked on those facilities in FY2024/25, while a one-off gain of about HK$3.5 million ($447,000) was recognized in FY2025/26 following their termination.

Zitro debuts premium FANTASY cabinet at Casino de Misiones in Argentina

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Zitro debuts premium FANTASY cabinet at Casino de Misiones in Argentina

The Spanish gaming supplier Zitro has announced the arrival of its FANTASY cabinet in Argentina, featuring “Brave Dragon,” at Casino de Misiones – Oberá, one of the region’s leading gaming destinations.

The installation is part of a significant expansion of Zitro’s presence at the casino, which also includes the addition of new CONCEPT and GLARE cabinets, along with an extensive game library headlined by one of the company’s latest titles, “Penguin Party”. Casino de Misiones now features new Zitro machines across multiple gaming venues in the province, further strengthening a partnership that is already seeing positive player response.

With its impressive design, spectacular graphics, and animations, FANTASY delivers a premium, high-performing gaming experience. Its exclusive title, “Brave Dragon,” arrives in Argentina backed by an outstanding performance and player reception across multiple markets.

“Bringing FANTASY to our floor elevates our entertainment offering,” said Ulises Intra, Director of Casino de Misiones. “It’s a cabinet that commands attention and delivers an exceptional player experience, and we’re confident it will be another great success with our casino guests.”

Alejandra Burato, Zitro’s Regional Director for Latin America, added: “Launching FANTASY in Argentina is a defining moment that represents a significant step in our expansion strategy. We’re proud to strengthen our partnership with Casino de Misiones with a cabinet that’s been proven successful internationally. This is just the beginning. Expect to see FANTASY at many more Argentine venues very soon.”

QTech Games expands premium portfolio with PLAYSTAR partnership

AGBrief Editorial
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QTech Games expands premium portfolio with PLAYSTAR partnership

The leading game aggregator platform QTech Games has firmed its latest provider partnership with PLAYSTAR (PS), enabling its clients to access another multifaceted catalogue.

Recognized across Asia for its “drive to shine” mantra, PLAYSTAR (PS) is a leading slot game provider with over a decade of industry expertise. Its growing global portfolio features innovative slots like Deng Deng and Mahjong Origin, alongside traditional card games. Above all, PLAYSTAR maximizes the player experience through unique game mechanics and immersive storytelling.

PLAYSTAR’s premium quality content suite, featuring immersive digital titles, now sits neatly alongside other cutting-edge studios, such as Evolution and Yggdrasil, giving QTech partners and their players an unrivalled choice of culturally varied slots.

The agreement naturally broadens PLAYSTAR’s geographic footprint outside of its domestic marketplace, targeting emerging markets from Africa to Latin America, and creating new revenue streams.

Angel, BD at PLAYSTAR, added: “QTech is a natural habitat for our superior content which awaits players every time they enter through an online casino’s digital doors. After initial success in our home territories over our first decade of operations, PLAYSTAR is now broadening our reach across emerging markets via QTech’s flexible gateway to high-potential regions.”

As the fastest-growing aggregator in growth territories over the past few years, QTech Games offers the most expansive gaming portfolio around, localised for each region, with native mobile apps, powerful reporting and marketing tools, and 24/7 local-language support.

Philip Doftvik, CEO at QTech Games, said: “It’s a feather in our cap to have integrated more premium content from PLAYSTAR. They’re a proven performer who prioritise the immersive experience that users enjoy at the heart of every game. Recent industry recognition as a rising-star supplier underscores their ascendant curve, and we’re delighted to have added PS to QTech’s stable of stars. We now look forward to showcasing these games across new markets which, in most cases, break new ground for PS.”

Altenar rolls out World Cup Lobby to strengthen tournament experience

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Altenar rolls out World Cup Lobby to strengthen tournament experience

Altenar has announced the launch of the World Cup Lobby, a dedicated event hub designed to enhance player engagement and streamline navigation during this summer’s tournament.

With a record 104 matches taking place across 16 cities, the lobby is a fully curated destination where operators can showcase all relevant markets, statistics, promotions and betting opportunities in one place, simplifying discovery for players during high-volume events.

The World Cup Lobby integrates Altenar’s sportsbook capabilities with a range of dedicated widgets and navigation tools designed specifically for major tournaments. Interactive team and player carousels surface relevant BetCards, markets and promotions through swipeable content feeds, while team and player pages provide direct access to statistics, related betting opportunities and tournament insights.

The tool also includes integrated standings, knockout trees and outright markets, creating a structured environment where players can move seamlessly between matches, teams, players and betting selections without navigating across multiple pages.

Global operators can localise the lobby for regional audiences by prioritising specific teams, competitions and markets, while player behaviour can be used to surface personalised betting recommendations, and its flexible design also allows deployment across other major competitions with multiple event-focused hubs running concurrently.

The launch supports Altenar’s wider personalisation and gamification roadmap, helping operators increase retention and drive higher conversion through more intuitive user journeys.

Commenting on the product launch, Nikos Zygouris, Head of Sportsbook Product at Altenar, said: “Major tournaments such as this year’s World Cup create huge engagement and our goal with the new lobby is to build an environment where players can explore everything around the competition in one place. The World Cup Lobby brings together markets, statistics, teams and personalised recommendations into a single experience, helping operators to deliver a more intuitive and engaging sportsbook during the biggest moments in the sporting calendar.”

St8 extends Wazdan partnership into Ontario market

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St8 extends Wazdan partnership into Ontario market

Casino games aggregator and full-service technology provider St8 has expanded its partnership with Wazdan into Ontario, further strengthening its premium content offering in one of North America’s leading regulated markets.

Through the extended agreement, St8 has integrated a selection of Wazdan’s top-performing slot titles for operators in Ontario, including Mighty Fish™: Blue Marlin, 36 Coins™, Mighty Wild™: Panther Grand Diamond Edition, and Mighty Wild™: Gorilla. 

Wazdan has built a strong reputation through its combination of high-performing games, innovative mechanics and player engagement features. Its focus on creating memorable gameplay experiences aligns closely with St8’s approach to delivering premium content through a seamless aggregation platform.

David Fall, Business Development Manager at St8, shared: “Our partnership with Wazdan has already delivered impressive results, and extending the collaboration into Ontario is an exciting next step for both companies. Wazdan consistently develops high-performing content backed by innovative engagement features, and we are pleased to further strengthen our offering for operators in one of North America’s most important regulated regions.”

The Ontario expansion marks the latest step in the ongoing collaboration between the two companies as St8 continues to evolve its content portfolio and support operators with games that deliver strong performance across competitive markets.

“This collaboration into Ontario with St8 is another milestone for Wazdan as we continue to build our presence across regulated North American markets,” said Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan. “Our company goes above and beyond for our partners by delivering intuitive products that focus on the quality of the user’s experience, and St8’s platform provides an excellent route for our content to reach more operators and players. It has been a very rewarding process so far, and we look forward to building on this momentum together.”

Galaxy Macau and UFC unveil 2026 Fight Week events ahead of UFC FIGHT NIGHT

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Galaxy Macau and UFC unveil 2026 Fight Week events ahead of UFC FIGHT NIGHT

Galaxy Macau is set to elevate the return of UFC FIGHT NIGHT® Macau with a vibrant week-long programme of fan experiences, culminating in a series of high-energy fight events at Galaxy Arena.

Fight Week will feature fighter meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, open workouts, and immersive fan activations, offering rare opportunities for visitors to engage with top UFC athletes.

Event Rundown

Galaxy Macau and UFC unveil interactive fight week events ahead of UFC FIGHT NIGHT

The excitement begins with the Opening Ceremony for the Fight Week 2026 at East Square, Galaxy Macau at 6:45 pm on Wednesday, May 27.

Right after, the Open Workouts will give fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the sport’s stars prepare for their fights, featuring main eventers Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo; co-main eventers Zhang Mingyang and Alonzo Menifield; and superstar fighters Kai Asakura and Xiong Jingnan. 

Galaxy Macau and UFC unveil interactive fight week events ahead of UFC FIGHT NIGHT

At 4pm on Friday, May 29, special guest UFC athletes will make an appearance at East Square for a meet-and-greet session with fans, showcasing UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, UFC #5 featherweight Yair Rodriguez, and fan favourite veteran “the Leech” Li Jingliang.

The experience continues at 12 pm on Saturday, May 30, when East Square hosts an exclusive autograph session with UFC guest athletes Shevchenko, Rodriguez, and former two-time UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili, creating memorable face-to-face fan moments. 

Throughout UFC Fight Week, the Pearl Lobby will be transformed into an immersive UFC FAN EXPERIENCE featuring the sport’s iconic Octagon-themed installation, where guests can dive into UFC experiences, including AI-integrated activations that put fans in the spotlight on UFC posters, virtual weigh-in poses, and friend-versus-friend face-offs.

Galaxy Macau and UFC unveil interactive fight week events ahead of UFC FIGHT NIGHT

The action in the Octagon kicks off at Galaxy Arena on Friday and Saturday, May 28 and 29, with the opening rounds of ROAD TO UFC Season 5, the chance to get a first look at the rising MMA prospects across Asia-Pacific as they compete for a coveted UFC contract.

The atmosphere culminates as main event star fighters Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo clash in the Octagon on Saturday, May 30 – a sold-out event. 

Extended Rewards at Galaxy Macau 

In celebration of UFC Fight Week Macau 2026, Galaxy Macau presents a curated collection of exclusive shopping and dining privileges, inviting guests to experience a vibrant convergence of lifestyle, flavour and excitement. 

Galaxy Macau
Galaxy Macau

From May 22 to 31, guests presenting valid event tickets can enjoy shopping rewards at Galaxy Promenade, including MOP500 vouchers with qualifying spend and a limited‑edition UFC x Galaxy Macau Sports Holdall upon spending MOP2,800 or above. 

Complementing the retail experience, Galaxy Macau’s award-winning dining portfolio introduces UFC inspired culinary creations, alongside up to 15% off at designated restaurants for Galaxy Ultimate members on event days. Highlights include the Royal Octagon Uni & Caviar Fish Burger by The Apron Oyster Bar & Grill, Knockout Beef Platter by CHA BEI, and a duo of meat platters by Bei Shan Lou – designed to reflect the standout spirit of UFC. 

Together, these curated experiences highlight Galaxy Macau’s commitment to innovative, guest-centric moments, as it transforms Macau into a destination where sport, entertainment and luxury come together to create unforgettable memories for guests and fans worldwide.

Megaworld to add 6 hotels and nearly 2,000 rooms across the Philippines by 2029

Viviana Chan
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Megaworld to add 6 hotels and nearly 2,000 rooms across the Philippines by 2029

Philippine property developer Megaworld Corporation plans to open six new hotels across the Philippines within the next three years, adding close to 2,000 room keys to its hospitality portfolio as it expands in key tourism and business destinations nationwide.

The company disclosed the expansion plan in a filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange on May 20th, stating that the properties will be managed and operated by its hospitality arm, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts.

The six upcoming properties include ArcoVia Hotel in Pasig City; Savoy Capital Town in San Fernando, Pampanga; The Hamptons Hotel in Cavinti, Laguna; Paragua Sands Hotel and Savoy Hotel Palawan in San Vicente, Palawan; and The Kingsford in Bacolod City.

“Our goal is to have more than 20 hotels and about 9,000 hotel rooms when we reach our 40th year within the next three years,” Megaworld President and CEO Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso said. “This will further help us unlock big opportunities and continue supporting tourism as a major catalyst of development and economic growth across the country.”

Two of the planned properties — Paragua Sands Hotel and Savoy Hotel Palawan — will be located within the 462-hectare Paragua Coastown development in Palawan and are expected to offer more than 600 rooms combined.

Megaworld said another waterfront project, The Hamptons Hotel, is being developed within a 300-hectare integrated lifestyle community by subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts Inc. in Laguna.

The company is also advancing several urban hotel developments, including the 31-story ArcoVia Hotel in Pasig and the 16-story Savoy Capital Town in Pampanga.

Earlier this year, Megaworld opened Chancellor Hotel Boracay, while Belmont Hotel Iloilo is scheduled to open in the coming weeks. The company also said its 1,531-room Grand Westside Hotel will transition into Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside Hotel in the coming months.

During the first quarter, Megaworld reported PHP1.5 billion ($26.2 million) in hospitality revenues, up 8 percent year-on-year.

Megaworld is part of the Alliance Global Group, which also has interests in the gaming sector through Travelers International Hotel Group Inc., developer of Newport World Resorts in Manila.

INSPIRE launches 3 packages under its ‘Summer Playcation’ theme

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INSPIRE launches 3 packages under its ‘Summer Playcation’ theme

The South Korean integrated resort INSPIRE Entertainment Resort has announced the launch of three ‘Summer Playcation Packages’ ahead of peak season, positioning itself as a stay-based destination that offers immersive, multi-day experiences.

Designed to appeal to travelers opting for domestic vacations, the packages combine accommodation with a diverse mix of entertainment, dining, and leisure activities.

All three ‘Summer Playcation’ packages include water activity benefits that are an essential part of any summer getaway. Every package guest receives a four-hour pass to ‘Splash Bay,’ an indoor water park featuring a variety of water attractions under a glass-dome ceiling, allowing guests to enjoy dynamic water activities for half a day without being affected by unpredictable outdoor weather conditions such as heat or rain.

Summer Playcation Packages – Key Benefits

  1. Summer Playcation 2-Night Basic

    Structured around practical benefits. It includes an ‘F&B Credit worth KRW 100,000’ redeemable across 11 food and beverage outlets directly operated by INSPIRE during the stay, along with two KRW 10,000 vouchers valid at the on-site Olive Young, enabling guests to enjoy dining and shopping tailored to their preferences.

  2. Summer Playcation 2-Night Dining

    Designed to enhance the F&B experience. It includes ‘In-Room Dining Fried Chicken’ for guests to enjoy comfortably in their room after a visit to Splash Bay, along with a breakfast benefit for two at the signature buffet restaurant ‘Chef’s Kitchen’ the following morning, so that they can try a diverse selection of dishes from around the world and enjoy a relaxed start to the day.

  3. Summer Playcation 3-Night

    Tailored to seamlessly fill every moment of the vacation with water play, dining, and a variety of other activities. It offers a diverse culinary experience, including dinner at ‘Brasserie 1783’ on the check-in day, along with ‘In-Room Dining Fried Chicken’ and an F&B Credit worth KRW 100,000. Additionally, guests receive a pass for three rides at ’ZZANG LAND,’ a family-oriented indoor theme park, allowing family guests with children to enjoy the resort with greater convenience.

INSPIRE launches 3 packages under its ‘Summer Playcation’ theme

All Summer Playcation packages include a complimentary minibar beverage, with bookings available from May 20 for stays between June 10 and August 31. Additional details are available on INSPIRE’s official website.

Complementing the packages, INSPIRE will introduce a range of summer-exclusive leisure programming, including the ‘Summer Kids Camp’ for children aged 48 months to 8 years. The programme features a mix of indoor creative activities and outdoor recreational experiences designed to deliver engaging “playcation” moments.

Weekend visitors can also enjoy surprise appearances by ‘Play Popper’ magicians, delivering unannounced performances across the resort and adding spontaneous entertainment throughout the summer season.

An INSPIRE representative stated, “We have curated these packages and special events to help guests enjoy a fully satisfying summer vacation through a diverse range of content, even at a destination close to home,” adding, “We hope that customers considering domestic travel as an alternative to overseas trips will experience INSPIRE’s distinctive entertainment and relaxation, and enjoy a truly special playcation.”

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