Home Blog Page 289

Stronger Renminbi, tourism to drive Macau GGR growth through 2026: CLSA

0

Macau’s gaming industry is expected to maintain revenue growth into 2026, supported by the continued appreciation of the Renminbi (RMB) against the US dollar and resilient tourism demand. 

According to CLSA analysts Jeffrey Kiang and Leo Pan, these factors are extending the momentum in gross gaming revenue (GGR) observed since mid-2025.

In its latest investment memo, CLSA raised its GGR forecasts for the sector by 1.3 percent for 2025 and 3.5 percent for 2026, bringing projected revenues to HK$245.7 billion ($30.6 billion) and HK$255.6 billion ($31.8 billion), respectively. The brokerage highlighted the ‘RMB strength against the US dollar’ and improving macroeconomic conditions in China as main drivers of the revision.

While the firm raised its 2025 and 2026 forecasts, it left its 2027 projection largely unchanged, expecting GGR to reach HK$269.3 billion ($33.5 billion), equivalent to 92 percent of 2019 levels.

The analysts cautioned, however, that the next upgrade cycle will likely depend on the stabilization of property prices in China, which they view as an important catalyst for consumer confidence and spending power.

Macau gaming, satellite casinos

Strong 2Q25 extends into 3Q25

Following strong second-quarter results, Macau’s casino operators have continued to post growth in the third quarter. CLSA noted that August GGR came in 1 percent above its forecast, supported by a 0.4 percent RMB appreciation since July and stronger profitability indicators from Chinese factories.

Tourism demand is also bolstering performance. The analysts reported that 33 of the 38 hotels they track are already fully booked for the upcoming October Golden Week, typically one of the busiest periods for Macau. Average hotel room rates are running 13 percent higher than the same period last year, signaling healthy visitor demand. ‘Macau’s robust revenue momentum has continued quarter-to-date,’ the report stated.

In this context, CLSA projects September GGR will rise 10 percent year-on-year to MOP18.9 billion ($2.35 billion).

The reports mentioned that the CLSA Chief economist Leif Eskesen expects the RMB to strengthen to 7.13 per US dollar by the end of 2025, and further to 7.10 by the end of 2026. This appreciation is seen as a tailwind for Macau’s casino industry, as it supports outbound travel from Mainland China, which accounts for more than 70 percent of Macau’s visitation.

The link between RMB strength and Macau casino valuations is also statistically significant. According to CLSA, since January 2023, there has been a strong mathematical relationship between the currency’s strength and how investors value gaming companies. ‘This bodes well for the sector’s GGR growth ahead due to better outbound travel from Mainland China, setting the stage for stock re-rating,’ the note explained.

On the back of the revised forecasts, CLSA now expects sector EBITDA to rise to $8.4 billion in 2025, a 7 percent year-on-year increase, and further to between $8.9 billion and $9.7 billion in 2026–2027.

Play’n GO launches Rise of Olympus Extreme, elevating its legendary grid slot legacy

0

Play’n GO elevates its mythological lineup with Rise of Olympus Extreme, a high-powered successor to its enduring grid slot classic. With refined gameplay and enhanced visuals, the title pushes the boundaries of celestial adventure.

Returning players will reunite with the mighty trio – Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus – who now command more formidable powers in a refined 5×5 cascading grid. With a maximum potential win of 15,000x the player’s bet and high-energy gameplay, Rise of Olympus Extreme harnesses divine wrath and reward in equal measure.

The game’s signature Hand of God feature returns with added punch, activating random modifiers depending on the ruling deity. Players can witness symbol transformations, wilds added to the grid, or entire sets removed – building tension between spins. A dynamic multiplier now escalates with every cascade, and fully clearing the grid unlocks an instant payout worth 20x the total bet – multiplied again by the active multiplier.

The Wrath of Olympus feature remains a core mechanic, now supercharged to deliver a powerful trio of effects in sequence, followed by player-chosen Free Spins with up to x1000 multipliers. Every mechanic underlines Play’n GO’s commitment to rich gameplay layered with choice and spectacle.

This release builds directly on the legacy of the original Rise of Olympus – one of Play’n GO’s most celebrated grid titles – and sits alongside Gates of Troy and Divine Showdown in its mythological canon. Players drawn to grid-style games with narrative depth and escalating rewards will find Rise of Olympus Extreme both familiar and fresh.

Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, said: “Rise of Olympus has always been a fan favourite, and with Extreme, we’ve turned the dial on every aspect – bigger multipliers, deeper features, and more strategic choice. It’s a game worthy of the gods.”

Affigates secures “Affiliate Product Innovation 2025” at SiGMA Euro-Med Awards

0

Affigates, the next-gen affiliate platform built for speed, scale, and smarter growth, has made a strong entry into the iGaming market, taking home its first “Affiliate Product Innovation 2025” at the SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025.

As a complete ecosystem, Affigates combines three essential pillars: intuitive software, a curated affiliate network, and affiliate program management. Together, these elements create a seamless environment where operators and affiliates can scale rapidly, connect with the right partners, and achieve measurable results.

Built on this foundation, the ecosystem integrates a proprietary scoring system that ensures transparency and identifies high-value affiliates, while continuous optimisation supports long-term growth for all participants.

Affigates connects a thriving network of more than 630 partners, 4,500+ affiliates across all GEOs, and access to over 30 million players and data points. Its rapid adoption and early award recognition underscore its effectiveness and commitment to setting new benchmarks for affiliate marketing in iGaming.

Galaxy Entertainment attracts 40-50% new customers through expanded entertainment offerings

0

Macau gaming operator Galaxy Entertainment Group has attracted a significant influx of new customers, with 40 to 50 percent of its clientele over the past 12 months being first-time visitors to its properties. 

The company’s management revealed this during Goldman Sachs’ Asia Leader Conference on September 3rd in Hong Kong, highlighting the effectiveness of its strategic investment in non-gaming activities to diversify its customer base.

In a Key Takeaways note, Goldman Sachs reported that Galaxy Entertainment’s membership base has expanded substantially alongside its rated play, reflecting sustained growth in customer engagement. This success in customer acquisition comes as Galaxy continues to meet its gaming license commitments by investing heavily in entertainment offerings—particularly high-profile concerts—that are attracting younger demographics and families who may not have otherwise considered visiting Macau.

Galaxy Entertainment’s market share has also shown steady improvement, reaching approximately 21 percent in August, up from 20.4 percent in both July and the second quarter of 2025. The company attributes this growth to the ramp-up of the newly opened Capella hotel in May, an increasingly busy concert and event schedule, and normalized mass-market hold rates.

Galaxy Arena concerts, Macau

Market conditions drive industry growth

Galaxy Entertainment management identified several key factors supporting broader industry growth, with gross gaming revenue rising 19 percent year-over-year in June and July and 12 percent in August. Contributing drivers include a wealth effect from strong stock market performance, easing concerns over U.S. tariffs, and the return of Chinese travelers who had previously opted for Europe, Japan, and other overseas destinations.

Industry liquidity has also improved, with increased currency exchange activity and agent referral programs becoming more common. However, management noted these improvements are not widespread and are only observable at select casinos across Macau.

Galaxy’s strategic advantage in hosting large-scale events has proven particularly valuable, as only Galaxy and Sands China operate 16,000-seat arenas capable of accommodating major entertainment events. These venues serve as effective marketing tools—especially important given that casinos cannot be directly promoted in mainland China. Galaxy’s recent TME Music Awards at Galaxy Arena drew millions of online viewers, significantly boosting the company’s profile among mainland audiences.

Rio Hotel & Casino Macau

Satellite casino closures expected to have minimal impact

Regarding the scheduled closure of satellite casinos by year-end, Galaxy’s management expressed confidence that the impact on its operations will be minimal. The company noted that its target clientele differs significantly from that of satellite casinos, which primarily serve local and lower-end players.

This reflects Galaxy’s positioning in the premium and ultra-luxury market segments, where its customer base remains largely insulated from the effects of satellite closures. The company continues to advance its expansion plans, with Galaxy Macau Phase 4 on track for completion by fiscal year 2027. The project is undergoing internal fit-out works and will include five hotel towers with multiple high-end brands, about 120 new retail shops, 80 additional dining outlets, a 5,000-seat theater, and a water resort deck.

With $3.9 billion in net cash on hand, Galaxy maintains ample liquidity to cover outstanding capital expenditures for Phase 4.

Sands China named APAC’s first IR to receive ‘Top Employer’ certification

0

Sands China has been certified as a “Top Employer” for its outstanding performance in attracting, developing, and retaining talent, making it the first company in Macau’s tourism and service industry to receive this international accreditation, as well as the first integrated resort operator in the Asia Pacific region.

The certification is awarded by the Top Employer Institute, a globally recognised authority headquartered in Amsterdam. It is one of the world’s most authoritative certifiers of human resources strategies, which evaluates organisations across 18 core areas – including leadership, talent acquisition, workplace environment, rewards, and recognition – through more than 200 assessment criteria.

To date, there are only around 2,400 organisations across 125 countries and regions certified as Top Employers, including Fortune Global 500 companies such as Huawei, Amazon, and Deutsche Bank.

Grant Chum, Sands China, Macau
Grant Chum, CEO and Executive Director at Sands China

Commenting on the award-winning, Grant Chum, CEO and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China remains firm in its commitment to nurture team members alongside the growth of the company. We continuously introduce talent development initiatives aligned with industry growth, offering team members diverse career development opportunities and ongoing learning resources. These efforts to cultivate outstanding industry talent support Macau’s goal of moderate economic diversification. We are delighted that a renowned authority in human resources has recognised our talent development strategy with this respected certification. It affirms the fruits of placing people at the heart of our strategy and refining our human resources practices.”

Sands China has offered comprehensive benefits and diverse talent cultivation and development opportunities, introducing forward-thinking human capital concepts to expand possibilities within Macau’s job market. In terms of talent attraction, the company has actively leveraged its diverse business advantages to create over 1,400 types of positions across MICE, hospitality, F&B, entertainment, and retail sectors – providing more than 90,000 employment opportunities for local residents to date.

Additionally, Sands China has established over 10 elite training programmes to actively attract and nurture the next generation of local talent. The company emphasises diversity and inclusion in recruitment, and its initiatives for hiring people with disabilities have been recognised by the Top Employers Institute as the best practice case.

In talent development, the company promotes continuous growth of employees through eight professional academies under the Sands China Academy. In 2024, each team member completed an average of 81.64 hours of paid on-the-job training – far exceeding the Talent Development Association’s benchmark of 21 hours – demonstrating the company’s strong emphasis on team members’ career development.

Sands China’s people-first philosophy and comprehensive benefits are key to its employee retention. As Macau’s largest private employer, the company has over 27,000 team members in areas such as MICE, hospitality, F&B, entertainment, and retail operations. Its Work Life 360 programme promotes holistic wellbeing and work-life balance.

Recent enhancements include up to six days of childcare leave and flexible work hours for new parents. Currently, more than 14,000 team members have served the company for more than 10 years – representing over 50% of the workforce – a testament to the strength of its corporate culture.

Federal judge sets October deadline for IPI restructuring after asset sale

0

Saipan District Court Judge Robert J. Faris has set an October 31st deadline for Imperial Pacific International (IPI) to file its reorganization plan, following Team King Investment’s $12.95 million acquisition of the bankrupt casino operator’s assets.

According to the Marinas Variety, the judge ordered IPI to submit a disclosure statement, proposed plan of reorganization, and related pleadings by the deadline, while directing the debtor to promptly schedule a hearing for disclosure statement approval. Team King Investment (CNMI) LLC officially closed the acquisition on August 20th, finalizing a deal that began with their winning bid at a court-approved auction on February 26th, 2025.

Judge Faris discharged his previous order related to IPI’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition since the court-approved sale closed before the August 21st deadline. IPI had operated a casino in Saipan for four years before shutting down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 19th, 2024, reporting liabilities exceeding $165.8 million.

The acquisition faced initial resistance from the CNMI Office of the Attorney General, which raised concerns about potential IPI insiders within Team King but later withdrew objections to allow the transaction to proceed. Judge Faris approved the sale on April 29th, 2025, after resolving creditor objections.

Outstanding issues remain regarding storage fees, with Saipan Stevedoring Company claiming IPI owes $288,510 for storing 28 containers since 2022 without payment. Team King, as the new owner of the unfinished casino resort, will assume responsibility for post-closing storage fees and must resume paying government regulatory fees and developer taxes. A hearing regarding the storage dispute is scheduled for October 2nd, 2025.

Team King previously indicated that completing the ongoing casino resort construction would require an additional $150 million investment.

UFC and Galaxy Macau announce 4-year partnership for 3 fight nights

0

UFC and Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) have announced a strategic multi-event partnership that will bring three UFC Fight Night events to Macau between 2026 and 2029.

All events will take place at the Galaxy Arena, one of the largest indoor venues in the city, reinforcing Macau’s role as a hub for international sports and entertainment.

The agreement was unveiled following the sold-out UFC Fight Night: Yan vs Figueiredo in 2024, UFC’s fourth event in Macau since 2012. The collaboration comes at a time when Macau’s six gaming concessionaires are required to expand their investment in non-gaming projects as part of their license obligations, including the promotion of sports and cultural activities to diversify the city’s tourism offering.

Under the partnership, the first fight week in 2026 will also feature the opening round of Road to UFC Season 5, a tournament designed to showcase Asia-Pacific’s emerging mixed martial arts (MMA) talent. The initiative has already propelled 18 Asian fighters to UFC contracts, including China’s Zhang Mingyang, Shi Ming, and Wang Cong.

Dana White, UFC President and CEO, emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating: “I’ve just returned from China and everything about it was incredible—the culture, the people and the athletes. This new partnership with Galaxy Macau couldn’t come at a better time. It’s great for fight fans in China and massive for the sport.”

Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President and Head of Asia, added: “In 2026, Macau will be the launchpad to UFC in Asia. Building on our wildly successful 2024 event, this long-term partnership with Galaxy Macau solidifies our commitment to this region and its passionate fans.”

UFC

Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer of GEG in Macau, said the partnership supports the local government’s vision of integrating sports and tourism: “MMA fans in Macau will now have the chance to witness top-tier action right here at home, while visitors can enjoy the city’s rich culture, cuisine, and entertainment alongside unforgettable fight experiences.”

The announcement follows strong demand for UFC events in China, underscored by back-to-back sold-out fight nights in Macau and Shanghai. With UFC now tied to Galaxy Macau for multiple events, the city is set to further strengthen its profile as a destination for world-class sports entertainment.

PAGCOR advances CSR goals with 7 new PTV donations to underserved communities

0

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Wednesday, September 3, turned over seven new Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to local government units across the country in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s thrust to strengthen emergency medical services in at-risk and underserved communities.

The latest PTV beneficiaries include Las Piñas City and the municipalities of Tacloban (Leyte), Busuanga (Palawan), San Manuel (Tarlac), Mexico (Pampanga), Kibawe (Bukidnon), and Indang (Cavite).

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, who led the ceremonial turnover at the agency’s corporate office in Pasay, said the initiative is part of PAGCOR’s continuing commitment to improve healthcare access in far-flung and vulnerable areas.

PAGCOR advances CSR goals with 7 new PTV donations to underserved communities

“This is more than just a turnover of vehicles; it is about saving more lives,” Mr. Tengco said. “We hope to empower our LGUs to respond faster and more efficiently during medical emergencies. Wala naman pong hinihingi ang gobyerno kung hindi ang alagaan ninyo lang sana ang mga ito.”

The PTVs are fully equipped with a GPS navigation system, ambulance stretcher, medical oxygen, wheelchair, and first aid kit, ensuring safe and efficient transport of patients to the nearest hospital or healthcare facility.

PAGCOR has now donated a total of 51 emergency vehicles to LGUs, public hospitals, frontline agencies, and select military units nationwide.

Busuanga Mayor Raymond Emil Cruz, a former PAGCOR employee, expressed his gratitude to the agency and noted the urgent need for such vehicles in geographically challenged areas.

“Malaki ang aming isla at napakalayo ng ilang barangay sa sentro ng bayan. Kaya ang PTV na ito ay napakahalagang tulong,” Cruz said. “Sisiguraduhin namin na mapapakinabangan ito ng maraming kababayan sa mahabang panahon.”

Groove Technologies steals the spotlight at SmartSoft’s Georgia event

0

Groove Technologies’ Account Manager Nathalie brought signature energy and excellence to the heart of the Caucasus during a vibrant industry gathering hosted by SmartSoft, one of the region’s most innovative gaming providers.

Beka Kipiani, SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head
Beka Kipiani, SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head

The event, held under the guidance of SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head, Beka Kipiani, unfolded in Tbilisi against a backdrop of Georgian tradition, art, and world-renowned hospitality. Far more than a business meeting, this immersive experience showcased the fusion of iGaming innovation and cultural celebration, reinforcing strong ties between Groove, SmartSoft and other participants.

From high-level strategy discussions to a glamorous Gala Dinner, Nathalie represented Groove with style, joining fellow iGaming leaders for an evening of fine cuisine, live music, and the unmistakable warmth of Georgian camaraderie.

The itinerary didn’t stop at the ballroom. A rich cultural programme took guests through historic landmarks, arts showcases, and curated experiences that brought Georgian heritage to life, echoing the fusion of legacy and future-forward thinking that defines both Groove and SmartSoft.

As part of her visit, Nathalie also took part in a focused meeting and dinner with Groove Georgia’s team, strengthening regional alignment and celebrating the local team’s fast-growing contributions to Groove’s global strategy.

SmartSoft’s innovative collection of arcade-style casino games and premium slots is redefining the casino experience by blending skill-based mechanics with immersive gameplay to create groundbreaking crash-style games and other non-traditional casino content.

Smartsoft JetX

Among SmartSoft’s most popular titles is JetX, an adrenaline-fueled crash game where players bet on the soaring trajectory of a jet plane. With its thrilling risk-reward mechanics and social multiplayer appeal, JetX has captured the attention of gamers across the world.

Beka Kipiani, SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head, added: “Hosting Groove’s Nathalie and our many other industry friends in Georgia was both a pleasure and a privilege. We believe in the power of local pride and global ambition, Groove understands that language. This wasn’t just a company event; it was a celebration of partnership, trust, and shared growth.”

Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove Technologies
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder & COO of Groove Technologies

As Groove continues to expand its global network of premium gaming partners, experiences like these highlight the power of in-person collaboration in crafting tomorrow’s success stories. Groove’s 15,000+ game portfolio, powered by 150+ elite providers including SmarttSoft, already stands as one of the most comprehensive in iGaming.

Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove Technologies, said: “Groove thrives on relationships; real, human partnerships that evolve beyond emails and dashboards. Events like this give our people, like Nathalie, the chance to connect deeply with partners like SmartSoft, to understand their market, and to share a bit of our Groove DNA while embracing theirs. Georgia delivered beauty, insight, and opportunity in equal measure.”

iGP launches iGaming Lottery to boost evolution and business growth

0

iGP, the full-service iGaming technology and solutions provider, has launched iGaming Lottery, a digital secondary lottery and raffle solution with 70+ global draw based games, fully insured payouts up to €100M, and crypto-enabled play.

Players can bet on the results of the world’s most recognised lotteries without purchasing official tickets, enabling operators to expand their portfolios with a proven, high-engagement vertical. 

iGaming Lottery is the second major product to be introduced in the past two years, following iGaming Deck, and a new milestone in iGP’s remarkable turnaround. Driven by a new management team, a full rebrand, and expansion into new markets, iGP is delivering on its vision to become one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers. With iGaming Platform, iGaming Deck, and now iGaming Lottery, iGP offers a connected ecosystem designed to power operator success from infrastructure and content to engagement and growth. 

This launch further accelerates iGP’s strategic evolution from a platform-led provider to a full suite partner offering fast-to-market modular solutions across platform, aggregator, turnkey, crypto, retail, and lottery. iGP’s iGaming Lottery uses a secondary lottery model where players bet on official results without purchasing tickets, simplifying operations and enabling faster payouts. Supporting both fiat and crypto play, it offers more than 70 global lotteries, including Powerball, EuroMillions, Mega Millions, SuperEnalotto, El Gordo, UK National Lottery, Oz Lotto, EuroJackpot, Irish Lotto and German Lotto 6aus49.

All payouts are fully insured up to €100M per claim and can include raffles, instant wins, seasonal prize events and branded custom draws. Designed for both standalone and cross-sell strategies into sportsbook and casino, iGP’s iGaming Lottery helps operators boost retention, attract new audiences and maximise promotional opportunities, with go-live possible in as little as four to six weeks via a single API integration. 

Deployments are integrated via iGaming Deck and include branded jackpot widgets, gamified campaign templates, countdown timers, group play functionality and CRM-ready automation flows. Operators maintain full control over pricing, branding and engagement mechanics, while iGP manages technology, compliance, underwriting and back-office operations. 

Jovana Popović Čanaki, CEO at iGP, said: “iGP has undergone a significant transformation in the past two years and we are reshaping the business for sustainable long-term growth. The successful launch of iGaming Lottery shows how far we have come in reshaping iGP. It underlines our ambition to be recognised as one of the industry’s leading suppliers and our focus on building products that support operators’ growth. This achievement is a testament to the focus and commitment of everyone at iGP.”

Dirk Camilleri, Chief Product Officer at iGP, added: “In a market saturated with content, operators need products that deliver real commercial impact. At iGP, the teams are built to design with speed, flexibility, and scale in mind so operators can launch, adapt, and grow without friction. iGP Lottery is a clear example of that philosophy in action – a profitable, in-house vertical that allows operators to cross-sell seamlessly and unlock new revenue streams. It’s another step in our commitment to building products that drive immediate value and strengthen long-term growth for our partners.”