Macau gaming operator Sands China announced on Friday an interim dividend of HK$0.25 ($0.032) per share for the first half of 2025, despite recording a 23.7 percent decline in net profit during the period.
The Hong Kong-listed company said the interim dividend, totaling HK$2.02 billion ($258 million), will be paid on September 12th, 2025.
The dividend declaration comes as Sands China reported net profit of $413 million for the six months ended June 30th, 2025, down from $541 million in the same period last year. Net revenues also declined 1.7 percent year-on-year to $3.49 billion.
Casino revenues across the group’s properties fell three percent to $2.62 billion in the first half. The company attributed the decrease primarily to reduced casino revenue at The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao and Sands Macao ‘due to the competitive nature of the Macau gaming market.’ However, this was partially offset by increased revenue at The Londoner Macao, where the Londoner Grand became fully operational during the second quarter.
The company’s adjusted property earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) dropped 5.9 percent to $1.10 billion compared to the prior year period.
Despite the financial headwinds, Sands China maintained its dividend payment to shareholders. The interim dividend represents approximately $0.032 per share and will be distributed to shareholders whose names appear on the company’s register of members on September 1st, 2025.
Sands China operates a portfolio of integrated resorts in Macau, including The Venetian Macao, The Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Sands Macao. Despite the earnings contraction, the company highlighted its ongoing commitment to shareholder returns with the interim dividend announcement.
Major Philippine e-wallet providers GCash and Maya have cut connections with online gambling platforms following a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) directive issued on Thursday.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) welcomed the move, calling it a crucial step in curbing gambling addiction among Filipinos.
The BSP ordered e-wallets to remove icons and links to online gambling platforms within 48 hours during a Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing on Thursday, August 14th. Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan announced that by Sunday, August 17th, e-wallets should be fully disconnected from online gaming platforms.
Maya disabled links to gambling platforms through its Games feature at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 16th, 2025. The company expressed support for BSP’s initiative to ensure the responsible use of digital financial services. GCash, operated by GXchange Inc., took the same action by cutting gambling access through its GLife feature at the same time, stating it shared BSP’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure digital environment.
“We share the commitment of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in maintaining a safe, secure, and responsible digital environment for all,” GCash said in an advisory, according to local media. The company noted it would fully comply with BSP’s Memorandum No. M-2025-029, which mandates the suspension of in-app gaming access in mobile payment apps and websites under BSP supervision.
The CICC praised the removal as a positive development. Acting Executive Director Renato “Aboy” Paraiso called it a “good step” in restricting easy access through payment gateways. In an interview on Sunday, he noted that people will be less likely to use illegal gambling sites because of the poor user experience.
However, Paraiso acknowledged that blocking payment gateways from gaming sites remains a challenge. The CICC proposed that the government serve as the sole online payment provider for legitimate gaming platforms, suggesting institutions such as Landbank could handle payments for all licensed online casinos.
The official stressed that the Philippines must adopt modern technology to combat criminal organizations behind illegal online gambling. He said the government requires automated systems to identify and block illegal sites, estimating that the CICC would need PHP700 million to PHP800 million ($12.4 million to $14.2 million) annually for this purpose.
Senator Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, commended payment apps for complying with the BSP directive but warned that gambling operators may migrate to alternative platforms. In a press release on Sunday, he cited an advisory from BingoPlus informing users they could still access games through its app, website, and the messaging platform Viber. The operator also sells gaming vouchers via shopping app Lazada.
“The fight against the accessibility of gambling to the public is far from over, and we will do our best to work with the private sector and other stakeholders to come up with a holistic approach in addressing this problem,” Tulfo stated.
The BSP has also introduced stricter regulations for financial service providers linked to gambling, including biometric verification and daily transaction limits. Governor Eli Remolona Jr. emphasized that beneficiaries of government financial aid must not be able to access gambling platforms.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is reviewing proposals to ban online gambling entirely. Malacañang Palace previously reported shutting down 7,000 unauthorized gambling sites as part of wider efforts to address the gambling problem in the Philippines.
Embattled PH Resorts Group has lost control of its Emerald Bay casino property in Cebu after failing to exercise a repurchase option from China Banking Corp., leading to a significant financial impact.
The company’s latest financial report for the quarter ended June 30th, 2025, revealed a net loss of PHP6.7 billion ($116 million) for the first six months, a 1,260 percent increase from PHP494 million ($8.5 million) in the same period of 2024.
This surge was primarily driven by the derecognition of the 12.4-hectare beachfront site on Mactan Island, valued at PHP13.65 billion ($236 million), including improvements and the unfinished hotel and casino structure.
The expiration of the buyback option on March 31st, 2025, triggered the removal of PHP13.65 billion ($236 million) in assets and PHP8.6 billion ($149 million) in related liabilities and transaction costs from the company’s balance sheet. PH Resorts, controlled by businessman Dennis Uy, had previously described the $300 million Emerald Bay as its most ambitious gaming project. The group, which operates the boutique Donatela Resort & Sanctuary in Panglao, Bohol, also reported a 12.7 percent decline in net operating revenues to PHP17.4 million ($300,000) from PHP19.9 million ($345,000) year-on-year.
In 2023, China Banking Corp., led by the Sy family, acquired the property through a financial restructuring agreement to settle PH Resorts’ mounting peso loans and interest. Under the deal, PH Resorts leased the site and retained the right to repurchase it for PHP5.74 billion ($99 million). However, after failing to secure a strategic investor, the company did not proceed with the buyback. Earlier filings indicated ongoing talks to reacquire the property, but the 2Q25 report omitted any reference to a repurchase plan.
China Banking Corp. chair Hans Sy confirmed the development in a May interview, stating that PH Resorts was given sufficient time to reclaim the prime beachfront property, located near Mactan-Cebu International Airport. “We always do things with a heart. We gave him [Dennis Uy] a chance,” Sy said. He added, “It’s expired and we’re not renewing anymore.”
The loss of this key asset has left PH Resorts with a capital deficiency of PHP5.83 billion ($101 million) as of June 30th, 2025. The company’s financial statements show additional pressures, including a ‘loss on extinguishment of financial liability’ of PHP7 billion ($121 million), an ‘impairment loss’ of PHP54 million ($930,000), and a ‘loss on sale of assets’ of PHP17 million ($290,000). Total assets plummeted to PHP3.5 billion ($61 million) from PHP19.5 billion ($337 million) at the end of 2024, reflecting the derecognition.
With its most valuable holding out of reach, PH Resorts faces mounting pressure to revise its business strategy. Attention is shifting to potential developments involving contractor EEI Corp., which advanced PHP300 million ($5.2 million) to PH Resorts’ parent firm Udenna in January 2025 related to the casino property.
Sun Group, a leading Vietnamese developer, has been approved to construct a $2 billion casino-tourism complex in Quang Ninh province.
According to The Investor, the project, located in the Van Don Economic Zone, encompasses 244.45 hectares and includes a casino, hotels, resorts, shopping centers, and conference facilities. It will allow Vietnamese citizens to gamble under specific regulations.
The complex aims to position Van Don as a major entertainment destination, comparable to Macau and Las Vegas, and is expected to enhance tourism in the region. With an operating period of up to 70 years, the project is slated to begin operations nine years after land allocation.
Quang Ninh is already home to several significant developments by Sun Group, including the Van Don International Airport and various entertainment facilities.
The company is also pursuing additional projects in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces, highlighting its expansive growth in Vietnam’s real estate and tourism sectors.
The Rota Casino Gaming Commission awarded licenses to Rota Blue for both land-based and online casino operations.
The land-based casino license provided on August 1st is valid until July 31, 2028, costing $300,000, while the online casino license is valid until July 31st, 2026, at a cost of $5,000. Rota Blue also paid additional fees totaling $90,000, The Mariana Variety reported.
Rota is the southernmost island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
Rota Blue, established in January 2025, plans to launch its online gaming platform soon and will begin constructing the land-based casino once tourism conditions improve in the CNMI.
The commission will impose a 10 percent gross gaming revenue tax, with the CNMI government receiving up to 5 percent in business revenue tax and a 1 percent gaming tax.
Company officials expressed their commitment to fostering a sustainable and compliant gaming ecosystem globally and are currently negotiating with a subcontractor for the online platform.
Macau’s casino sector is poised for sustained growth through early 2026, with rising gaming revenues, robust mass-market demand, and an undervalued stock landscape creating what J.P. Morgan calls a “long-legged” recovery.
In a recent report the investment bank upgraded industry forecasts for the third time in three months, now projecting gross gaming revenue (GGR) to climb 13 percent year-on-year in the second half of 2025 — a sharp acceleration from the 4 percent growth seen in the first half.
EBITDA of the city’s gaming concessionaires is expected to rise 12 percent in the third quarter and 16 percent in the fourth, outpacing market consensus by about 10 percent.
While China’s broader economy has shown weak consumer trends, the report argues Macau is benefiting from a wealth-driven, high-end clientele.
Gains in equities, cryptocurrencies, and luxury spending have lifted sentiment, aided by the renminbi’s 4 percent appreciation since April. Hong Kong’s liquidity boom, marked by heavily oversubscribed IPOs and falling interbank rates, has also eased access to Hong Kong dollars for premium gamblers.
The bank’s analysts noted that four straight quarters of GGR outperformance and a 60 percent sector stock rally since April have raised fears of a pullback — fears they dismiss.
‘Macau’s up-cycles typically span at least 3–4 quarters… creating a self-reinforcing demand loop’, analysts DS Kim and Selina Li supplemented, forecasting momentum to last ‘through 1Q26E at least’.
The report highlights that mass and slot play remains the primary growth driver, accounting for over 80 percent of sequential GGR gains in the second quarter, compared to just 14 percent from VIP play.
‘High-profile concerts/events provide gamblers a compelling excuse for more frequent trips, boosting Macau’s allure and capturing greater wallet/time share from gamblers and families’, the analysts added.
J.P. Morgan expects the mass segment to reach 127 percent of 2019 levels by 2026, even as VIP recovers to only about a third of pre-pandemic turnover.
Macau’s post-covid momentum in gross gaming revenue surged to a new height in July at MOP22 billion (US$2.6 billion).
Good Morning. There are many ways to skin a cat (who knows how that expression was invented). In the case of the Philippines, rather than outright banning the online gaming sector it’s aiming to cut off the blood flow to its operations. The most recent move is a mandate for e-wallets to cut out all gambling links, aiming to hinder access and deter its citizens from engaging in vice. But some operators are forging through the political storm, with giant DigiPlus still securing nearly $150 million in profit for the first half-year, proving how much potential the sector holds, if allowed to continue.
Despite hopes for harsher measures from the Philippine Senate, the nation’s central bank has given e-wallet operators a 48 hour grace period to disconnect from online gambling sites. This comes amongst a call for a total ban on the online gaming sector, as new data on illegal online gambling sites in the country, including e-sabong, surfaced. But legal operators are banding together to justify the value in a regulated, legal sector, hoping for some reprieve rather than an outright blanket ban on operations.
Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud. Asia Pacific’s iGaming market is expanding extremely fast, and a new wave of digital-savvy players is pushing demand through the roof. But the rise in adoption has outpaced regulation in many markets, and fraudsters have taken notice.
SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, has announced that its Game Aggregator has surpassed 35,000 active titles, reinforcing its position as the industry’s largest games hub.
The platform continues to provide operators with a broad portfolio, backed by 99.999 percent–100 percent uptime reliability.
In the first half of the year, the Game Aggregator expanded its content offering by 26 percent, now delivering over 35,000 active games from more than 300 providers – covering every major game category. Operating in 24 jurisdictions, the product ensures full compliance and accessibility for operators worldwide.
The Game Aggregator equips operators with built-in tools designed to drive engagement and maximize player value. The fully customizable Tournament Tool boosts daily bet volume by 22 percent, with participants placing twice as many bets and wagering three times more than non-participants. At the same time, Jackpot Aggregator campaigns have been shown to double the average player turnover. These mechanics are more than just features – they are revenue multipliers, seamlessly integrated into the platform.
With slots leading demand, the Fortune Rabbit game and Pragmatic Play external game provider ranking at the top, the Game Aggregator sets the standard for content depth, stability, and business impact.
“The Game Aggregator is more than just a product – it’s a technology backbone that drives scalable success for our partners. From instant access to premium content to the industry-leading uptime and proven engagement mechanics, we’re giving operators exactly what they need to compete and win,” added Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator.
Soft2Bet has been shortlisted in the Product Innovation of the Year category at the Global Gaming Awards Americas 2025, highlighting the innovative impact of its proprietary gamification engine, MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application).
The solution’s first full-scale North American deployment with ToonieBet in Ontario has redefined the gaming experience by enhancing player engagement and retention.
Already proven across Europe with brands , MEGA has consistently driven player retention and engagement. In Ontario, ToonieBet is seeing similar results by leveraging MEGA’s flexible tools, customizable UX/UI design and segmented features to deliver a deeply localized and highly personalized experience that attracts high-value players and supports sustainable profitability without disrupting daily operations.
“We are proud to be shortlisted for Product Innovation of the Year, as MEGA continues to enable us to deliver engaging, locally tailored player experiences, clearly demonstrated by ToonieBet’s success in Ontario. This nomination indicates that our approach is delivering big high performance results,” highlighted Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer at Soft2Bet.
Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance has officially approved the bill to establish the nation’s Gambling Regulatory Authority, a key move in overseeing the growing gaming sector.
According to reports, the bill was approved at a COPF meeting this week, under acting chair Rauf Hakeem.
It bill allows for the establishment of the Gaming Regulatory Authority as an independent oversight body, aimed at standardizing betting and gaming operators within the country, developing tourism and growing the economy while also minimizing possible social harm from its growth.
The bill is of particular importance given the recent opening of Melco’s City of Dreams Sri Lanka, which aims to shape the nation into “India’s Macau”, due to its geographic proximity to the target market.
Experts previously told AGB that shaping Sri Lanka into such a gaming hub would require consistent regulatory frameworks and careful management of public opinion, if it hopes to achieve the success that Macau has seen.
The $1.2 billion property officially fully opened on August 2nd, marking the country’s largest-ever private investment and Melco’s first foray into South Asia.
