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Betr secures strong shareholder backing for PointsBet buy-back takeover

Nelson Moura
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Betr secures strong shareholder backing for PointsBet buy-back takeover

Australian wagering company Betr Entertainment announced it has received overwhelming shareholder support for a key resolution linked to its proposed takeover of PointsBet, while also confirming it has cleared all necessary Canadian regulatory approvals.

More than 75 percent of Betr shareholders have indicated support for a Selective Buy-Back Resolution, a key step in the company’s all-scrip, off-market offer to acquire all shares in rival betting operator PointsBet. The resolution will be put to a formal vote at a shareholder meeting scheduled for August 25th.

Betr said it had received signed proxies and shareholder voting intention statements representing over three-quarters of all shares on issue. The company expressed strong confidence that the resolution will pass.

“This early and decisive support for the Selective Buy-Back Resolution from more than 75 percent of the Betr register will instill further confidence in PointsBet shareholders that the Selective Buy-Back will proceed as announced,” said Betr Chairman Matthew Tripp in a statement.

Under the proposal, the Selective Buy-Back will be available to all eligible PointsBet shareholders who accept Betr’s takeover offer. Full eligibility requirements are outlined in a meeting notice issued on July 24th.

Meanwhile, Betr confirmed it no longer requires further approvals from Canadian authorities, including the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the iGaming Ontario (IGO), clearing a major condition outlined in its Bidder’s Statement dated July 16.

The company said it will now move to waive the IGO Approval Condition in line with Australian corporate law, once the offer formally opens.

The latest developments come amid a heated takeover battle between Betr and Japan’s MIXI Australia for control of PointsBet.

Although Betr recently raised its offer—an unsolicited, conditional, all-scrip bid valuing PointsBet at approximately AU$1.35 ($0.84) per share—PointsBet’s board continues to unanimously recommend the rival AU$1.20 ($0.75) per share all-cash offer from MIXI.

Despite the higher headline value of Betr’s revised offer, PointsBet has maintained that it remains “materially inferior,” citing concerns over valuation risks, overstated cost synergies, and doubts about Betr’s operational strength.

The company has lodged an application with Australia’s Takeovers Panel alleging disclosure issues, leading to interim orders that restrain Betr from distributing its bidder’s statement until proceedings are resolved.

MIXI has already secured a relevant interest in 24.7 percent of PointsBet shares, along with an additional 1.9 percent through an institutional acceptance facility.

Betr, meanwhile, continues to argue that its proposal offers long-term strategic value and has urged shareholders to await formal bid documentation before taking action.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Macau FY25 GGR predictions: 10% yearly increase

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Macau FY25 GGR predictions: 10% yearly increase

Good Morning. Jusqu’ici tout va bien (until now everything is going well). And estimates are for that to continue, at least in Macau, in the second half of the year. Strong visitor numbers and the ripple effect from the entertainment calendar place expectations for GGR growth this year as high as 10 percent. This is in part due to the anticipation that Macau could break its previous record of tourist arrivals, set in 2019, as long as the momentum continues. And looking to the Philippines, Hann Resorts’ founder says that the September IPO of the company is necessary for its expansion plans, with no time to waste.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

MACAU

Macau gaming

Macau casinos on track for strong second half of 2025

The strong growth in gross gaming revenue seen in the first half of the year is predicted to continue, according to analysts, with estimates now that FY25 GGR could increase by up to 10 percent yearly. Strong visitation (which could even break 2019’s record), coupled with an extensive events calendar are driving the gains. However, increases for 2H25 are still heavily dependent on China’s consumer sentiment.

Corporate Spotlight

Why Asia’s iGaming operators must rethink risk strategy | SEON

SEON,Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud: Why Asia’s iGaming Operators Must Rethink Risk Strategy

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.

Industry Updates

INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS

Delta Corp gaming revenue up slightly in 2Q25, bolstering results

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Delta Corp gaming revenue up slightly in 2Q25, bolstering results

Indian casino operator Delta Corp experienced a 3.8 percent yearly increase in gaming revenue during the second quarter of 2025, helping boost the group’s revenue by 2.58 percent yearly.

According to the group’s most recent financials, published on Monday, total gaming income totaled Rs1.72 billion ($19.65 million)– a quarterly rise of 2.9 percent.

Total revenue in 4Q24 totaled Rs1.95 billion ($22.28 million), a quarterly decrease of 0.45 percent.

Profit for the period fell to Rs294.6 million ($3.35 million), a sharp drop from the previous quarter’s Rs1.64 billion ($18.72 million), but up by 35.9 percent from the same quarter of 2024.

The group’s hospitality sector saw both yearly and quarterly drops in revenue, with 2Q25 seeing Rs120 million ($1.37 million), down by 2.75 percent yearly and 28.22 percent quarter-to-quarter.

Deltin Royale, Delta Corp

Delta Corp Limited operates some of the largest offshore casinos in India, including Deltin Royale, Deltin JAQK, and Kings Casino. The company also owns and operates Deltin Suites, a 106-room all-suite hotel with a casino in Goa, as well as Casino Deltin Denzong at the Denzong Regency Hotel in Gangtok, Sikkim.

In addition, Delta Corp owns and operates The Deltin, a 176-room five-star hotel in Daman that is an integrated resort with a proposed casino.

Last September, the company announced a strategic move to separate its gaming business from its hospitality and real estate divisions.

SOFTSWISS & TechIsland unite to aid fire-affected communities in Cyprus

AGBrief Editorial
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SOFTSWISS & TechIsland unite to aid fire-affected communities in Cyprus

As Cyprus grapples with the aftermath of severe wildfires, SOFTSWISS stands in solidarity with affected communities, reaffirming its commitment to compassion and support.

The company is actively participating in TechIsland’s fundraising initiative, which aims to provide immediate relief to those affected and support recovery efforts.

As a member of the local tech ecosystem, SOFTSWISS is contributing to the broader TechIsland initiative, which brings together Cyprus’s IT and innovation community to provide immediate emergency relief and long-term recovery support.

The company has made a financial donation, which will be directed toward three key areas:

  • Wildfire prevention and fire protection infrastructure;
  • Installation of early warning systems;
  • Urgent assistance for families impacted by the fires.

“Supporting the country that hosts our employees and partners is not just a responsibility – it is a moral commitment. We have been closely monitoring the situation with deep concern and wanted to provide tangible aid to the fire-stricken areas, beyond words of solidarity. We are proud to be part of the TechIsland initiative and remain open to offering further support wherever it is needed,”  stated Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS.

With its contribution, SOFTSWISS hopes to inspire more companies within and beyond the tech industry to act swiftly and decisively in times of crisis. Supporting the communities we live and work in is not just a responsibility – it’s a core part of who we are.

This initiative reflects a broader pattern of social responsibility. SOFTSWISS consistently responds promptly to natural disasters, especially in countries where its employees, clients, or partners are based. In 2023, the company launched the HELP Brazil campaign following catastrophic floods and also supported a charitable initiative in Poland under similar circumstances.

Through these efforts – from Latin America to Europe and now Cyprus – SOFTSWISS reinforces its commitment to standing with communities in times of crisis. The company continues to lead not only as a tech innovator, but as a responsible global citizen.

Aristocrat Gaming debuts Galactic Quest for Love and Money on the Baron Upright cabinet

AGBrief Editorial
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Aristocrat Gaming debuts Galactic Quest for Love and Money on the Baron Upright cabinet

Aristocrat Gaming launches a cosmic thrill ride—Galactic Quest for Love and Money—featuring two base games and mechanics that break the mold.

Galactic Quest for Love and Money was specifically created for the innovative cabinet, The Baron Upright, and makes the most of the cabinet’s advanced graphics and sound with vibrant art and distinct audio.
 
Galactic Quest for Love and Money has two base games: Martian Madness & Venus Vixens. Both games leverage the use of the popular Respin feature with an all-new, innovative twist.
 
Both game themes have medium-high volatility, a high feature frequency, and low- and mid-denom configurations. The low-denom SAP/SSP jackpot starts at $10,000, and the mid-denom SAP/SSP jackpot starts at $50,000.
 
Both games have three exciting features. In the Protect Feature, the blue alien will randomly protect certain Cash Zone positions, which may give the player an additional spin for that Cash Zone position.
 
In the Revive Feature, the green alien may randomly revive a deactivated Cash Zone position, giving the player another chance to earn cash-on-reels values.
 
In the Multiply Feature, the purple alien randomly places multipliers in Cash Zone positions that multiply the cash-on-reels values.

Gaming expert projects Macau visitor numbers to surpass 2019 historic peak of 39M by year-end

Viviana Chan
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Gaming expert projects Macau visitor numbers to surpass 2019 historic peak of 39M by year-end

Macau’s tourism industry is experiencing a significant recovery that could see visitor arrivals exceed the historic peak of 39 million recorded in 2019 by the end of this year, according to leading gaming expert Davis Fong, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau.

macau
Davis Fong, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau

According to local media outlet Macao Daily, citing tourism and gaming data, Fong noted that non-gaming consumption growth of the average visitor has already surpassed that of their gaming consumption, signaling a structural shift in visitor spending patterns. He attributed Macau’s competitive edge to its institutional advantages, the large tourist base from mainland China, accumulated hardware and software development, and ongoing investments such as hotel facility upgrades and the expansion of integrated tourism offerings.

The optimistic forecast comes as Macau recorded more than 22 million visitors in the first seven months of 2025, with July alone seeing 3.45 million arrivals—averaging over 110,000 daily visitors—according to Deputy Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Cheng Wai Tong. This marks a year-on-year increase of approximately 14 percent for the January–July period.

Macau visitor arrivals in June 2025
Macau Visitor Arrivals, as of June 2025
Visitor arrivals JAN-JUN 2025-DSEC

Hotel occupancy rates have also remained robust, reaching nearly 90 percent in the first half of the year and exceeding 90 percent in July, reflecting continued strong demand for accommodation.

Fong expressed confidence that monthly gaming revenues will remain at the MOP20 billion ($2.5 billion) level in the second half of the year. Revenues have grown steadily over the past three months, prompting the academic to urge operators to analyze the drivers behind this positive trend in order to sustain and build on the current momentum.

He also highlighted that the second half of the year represents the peak season for festivals and events, which should support continued strong visitor numbers. A key factor will be whether macroeconomic conditions remain favorable. Recent signs of stabilization in mainland China’s stock markets and asset prices suggest that disposable income in key source markets may gradually recover, leading to improved consumption patterns.

Macau July GGR totals $2.7B, highest post-pandemic monthly tally
GGR 2025

The adjustment of the annual gross gaming revenue (GGR) projection has not been made in isolation. The strong performance in June and July—with a 19 percent year-on-year increase in GGR—has reinforced market confidence, prompting several investment banks to upgrade their Macau GGR forecasts and project an accelerating trend in the second half of 2025. It is also worth noting that, due to a weak start in 1Q25, the Macau government had earlier revised down its GGR forecast by 5 percent.

Macau, GDP

Economic outlook buoyed by tourism-driven recovery

In parallel, the second quarter saw Macau’s gross domestic product (GDP) grow 5.1 percent year-on-year in real terms, bringing the overall economic scale to 88.8 percent of the same period in 2019. Henry Lei, associate head of the Department of Finance and Business Economics at the University of Macau, pointed out that the 5.1 percent GDP growth, combined with a 1.8 percent expansion in the first half, reversed the contraction trend observed in 1Q25.

macau
Henry Lei, associate head of the Department of Finance and Business Economics at the University of Macau

The recovery is largely driven by external demand, while private consumption and government investment have remained stable. Lei stressed that recovery phases typically begin with leading industries benefiting first, but achieving broader growth will require collaboration among government departments, business chambers, tourism-related sectors, and enterprises to better channel tourist spending into local communities and across the six key districts.

The six key districts refer to the city’s old neighborhoods, which gaming operators have been tasked with revitalizing. The initiative is considered part of the operators’ non-gaming investment commitments under the 10-year gaming concessions that began on January 1st, 2023.

Lei expects full-year growth of between 3 and 5 percent, with second-half performance projected to outpace the first. Tourism is set to remain a crucial pillar of Macau’s recovery, with efforts focused on expanding its economic benefits beyond the casino floor and into the broader community.

South Korean casino operator Paradise Co. sees 23% revenue surge in July

Viviana Chan
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South Korean casino operator Paradise Co. sees 23% revenue surge in July

South Korean foreigner-only casino operator Paradise Co. reported a strong surge in casino revenue for July, with earnings reaching KRW75.67 billion ($56.2 million)—a 23 percent increase year-on-year, though down 6.3 percent from June’s figures.

The revenue boost was primarily attributed to strong table game performance, which continued to dominate the company’s earnings structure. Table game revenue climbed 25.1 percent year-on-year to KRW71.39 billion ($53.1 million), effectively offsetting declining returns from gaming machines.

In contrast, gaming machine revenue fell 6.1 percent year-on-year to KRW4.28 billion ($3.2 million). The segment also recorded a month-on-month decline of 10.1 percent compared to June.

The financial update, released on the Korean Stock Exchange on Monday, highlighted a stark performance gap between Paradise Co.’s two main gaming segments. Table games accounted for about 94 percent of total casino revenue in July.

For the seven-month period ending in July 2025, Paradise Co. achieved cumulative casino revenue of KRW531.32 billion ($394.7 million), marking a 10.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This year-to-date growth was largely driven by table games, which generated KRW501.03 billion ($372.2 million)—up 10.9 percent year-on-year.

The machine gaming segment showed more modest performance over the same period, declining slightly by 0.3 percent to KRW30.29 billion ($22.5 million).

Paradise Co. operates a strategic portfolio of casino properties across South Korea, catering exclusively to foreign visitors. The company runs three wholly owned venues: Walkerhill in Seoul, Paradise Jeju on Jeju Island, and a facility in Busan. Additionally, it operates Paradise City in Incheon through a joint venture with Japan’s Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., a cornerstone asset in its integrated resort portfolio.

Paradise Walkerhill, South Korea, Paradise Co.
Walker Hill Casino
Paradise City, South Korea
Incheon Paradise City

It is also worth noting that South Korea’s casino and hospitality sector has recently been gaining positive momentum, driven by expectations of increased Chinese tourist arrivals following the government’s visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists, scheduled to launch in the third quarter of the year.

Hann Resorts founder: IPO a necessity to not slow down development

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Hann Resorts founder: IPO a necessity to not slow down development

Hann Resorts’ founder Dae Sik Han says that the $200 million-plus IPO for his company is out of a desire to not “slow down all of this development,” noting that “it’s much better to go to this public market”.

The executive was speaking on the Thought Leaders with Cathy Yang program on One News.

Dae Sik Han, CEO of Hann Resorts, aims to dominate the Clark market

When asked about his comments during an interview two years ago at the ASEAN Gaming Summit regarding the timing of the IPO, Han noted:

“I’ve been thinking about this listing for a couple of years. And there should be compelling reasons why I have to go for an IPO. Right now, the most important this is I have a lot of plans in place for future expansion. If I don’t go for an IPO right now, I could have 100 percent ownership of my company. [But] in two to three years, what is going to be the value of the company?”

Han indicated that the company has already spent some PHP50 billion ($873 million) for its Hann Casino Resort, with further plans for PHP40 billion ($700 million) in investment in the next project. Regarding the Hann Reserve, in New Clark City, the executive noted that the investment “is going to be much, much bigger than that”. Speaking at the ASEAN Gaming Summit in 2023, Han noted that some $4 billion could be expected to be invested over the coming 10 years in the project.

A series of loans, coupled with the proceeds from the IPO, and expected revenue from operations are set to help fund the building of an InterContinental and Novotel hotel brands – totaling over 1,000 keys, while also funding Hann Reserve’s development. And while the master plan is extensive, the first golf course on the property “is expected to open by the end of this year”.

A second golf course, two of the three 18-hole courses that will grace Hann Reserve, “is expected to open at the end of next year (2026)”.

Segmentation

Han is very adamant about how the golf angle differentiates the property from its competitors – particularly IRs which have spent millions on entertainment facilities, but lack the space for a luxury golf course.

And the tie in between golf and gaming is apparent from the tee-off, with Han noting that golfers are prone to bet on the game – meaning they will easily transition such propensity to the gaming floor. He notes that while a concert with 1,000 ticket holders will have a turnover ratio to gaming of “less than 10 percent, for golfers “I’m very confident to say it’s more than 60 percent”.

And the company overall knows how to cater to its various clientele. “As far as headcount is concerned, around 70 percent of them are local and around 30 percent are foreigners. And around 95 percent of these 30 percent are Korean. But as far as revenues are concerned, it’s something like 50/50.”

But golf is not the only thing expected to drive visitors to his 450-hectare property. Given his Korean background, Han is banking on the K-experience to also drive continued growth. And the targeting is “to use golf for the luxury market and this Korean experience for the mass market”.

The online segment is also important, as it provides the ‘omni-channel’ experience – bridging online and offline. Having launched its Hann Live Online platform earlier this year, with hopes for up to 500 e-casino games by the end of the year, leveraging the growth of the online gaming market which “itself still has room to grow further”.

And gaming overall will continue to be the lifeblood of the company – with Han indicating that around 85 percent of overall revenue comes from the segment.

Even calls for a possible ban on online gaming in the Philippines do not threaten the company’s expansion, with the Chairman and CEO noting “whatever I’m doing right now is not only about online – it’s about online/offline together […] so it won’t affect any of my plan (regarding the proposed ban)”.

MGM strengthens frontline capabilities through responsible gaming training program

AGBrief Editorial
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MGM strengthens frontline capabilities through responsible gaming training program

In April, MGM rolled out the new “MGM Responsible Gaming Employee Care Program”, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to promoting the healthy and orderly development of the gaming industry and upholding its corporate social responsibility.

As part of the program, MGM has partnered with the Macao Gaming Industry Employees Home to co-host a themed training course titled “Supporting Individuals Affected by Gambling Issues.” This initiative aims to deepen team members’ understanding of responsible gaming through a series of targeted activities.

The training program was designed to strengthen the capabilities of frontline management and responsible gaming team in identifying and assisting individuals facing gambling-related challenges, while also enhancing their professional skills in both theory and practice.

Led by Pak Kin Pong, Director of the Integrated Services Center of Macao Gaming Industry Employees Home, the course focused on the behavioral traits and psychological states of individuals affected by gambling issues, as well as crisis management and referral techniques, which equipped participants with key methods to provide effective support. The course also incorporated highlights from the newly published Public Guide to Supporting Individuals Affected by Gambling Issues, emphasizing four core attitudes for building trust and offering appropriate assistance: “non-judgmental ears,” “empathetic eyes,” “patient mouth,” and “accepting heart”.

Michael Santos, Pit Manager of Table Games, shared that the course was both insightful and practical. It not only deepened their understanding of gambling disorder behaviors but also enhanced their sensitivity and response skills when interacting with guests. These improvements enable them to provide timely and effective support, showcasing the Company’s professionalism and humanistic care in the field of responsible gaming.

The “MGM Responsible Gaming Employee Care Program” also includes a variety of other activities such as roadshows, pop-up interactive games, online quiz games, advanced training & courses on gambling-related knowledge and more. MGM will continue to strengthen its team members’ knowledge and capabilities through innovative training and cross-sector collaboration, working hand-in-hand with the community to build a better Macau.

Omnigame inks first-ever operator partnership with Kaizen Gaming

AGBrief Editorial
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Omnigame inks first-ever operator partnership with Kaizen Gaming

Omnigame, the full-service iGaming business, has partnered with Kaizen Gaming, one of the biggest GameTech companies in the world, to launch its best-performing titles with the Betano brand, marking the company’s first ever deal with an operator as well as its international debut.

The agreement will initially see a selection of games rolled out with Betano in Denmark, with the portfolio then set to go live in additional global markets with the major operator, including Brazil.

The partnership is a huge milestone for Omnigame as its products will be made available to an international audience for the first time and is driven by the success the company has achieved in its home market of Denmark, where it has a substantial market share and a loyal fan base.

betano
Kaizen Gaming

Kaizen Gaming, recognising the strength and the uniqueness of the portfolio, makes the perfect first partner as Omnigame looks to expand its global footprint.

Peter Weinreich, CEO at Omnigame, said: “We are incredibly proud to announce our inaugural partner deal which will see our games debut outside of Denmark, and with one of the most exciting operator groups in the world no less. Kaizen Gaming’s Betano brand continues to grow, and this exciting step will see us put some of our most engaging games in front of a wider audience than ever before. It is a milestone moment for us and is a testament to the fantastic work we have achieved in standing out in a competitive space.”

Evangelos Dedoulis, Director of Product, Gaming & Rewards at Kaizen Gaming, commented: “Omnigame has a proud history of standing out in a highly competitive market like Denmark. We are glad to be the first partner to deliver its unique products to players beyond its own ecosystem. We are committed to providing our customers around the globe with the most engaging, entertaining and responsible gaming experiences through the Betano platform. With this in mind, we invest in both our proprietary technology and in top tier partnerships. We believe that Omnigame is such a top-tier partner and their high-quality games will resonate strongly with our audience.”

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