3 Oaks Gaming has been granted a recognition notice from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), another key development that allows its diverse portfolio of high-quality slot titles to be offered to licensed operators in the Maltese market.
The latest approval reaffirms 3 Oaks Gaming’s commitment to entering respected regulated markets worldwide, with the certification recognising the company’s ongoing compliance with the highest industry standards.
Gaining the recognition from the MGA enables the distributor to roll out fan-favourite titles such as Sun of Egypt 4, Coin UP: Lightning, and 3 Hot Chillies, offering engaging experiences for players within the region.
The achievement marks another pivotal step in 3 Oaks Gaming’s global strategy to grow in regulated markets, following on from successful expansions in the UK, Portugal, and Romania, with Malta becoming the latest regulated jurisdiction to access its premium content.
Yuriy Muratov, Chief Commercial Officer at 3 Oaks Gaming, at 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “Securing this recognition notice is a noteworthy achievement for us at 3 Oaks, as we can supply our renowned slot titles into the Maltese market. It reflects our strong commitment to delivering premium content to new audiences.”
QTech Games, the leading game aggregator in emerging iGaming markets, has launched an innovative new progressive jackpot system—Jackpot Rapid Fire—in collaboration with renowned slots provider Blueprint Gaming.
Jackpot Rapid Fire is a high-frequency, multi-tiered progressive jackpot mechanic designed to improve player engagement and boost operator retention. With seamless integration across a growing suite of exciting games, Jackpot Rapid Fire offers more chances for players to win, while also ensuring transparency and flexibility for operators.
The inherent ability of jackpots to drive acquisition and retention is well-established across worldwide markets. However, this breakthrough innovation now aligns QTech’s pioneering platform and machine-learning software with a suite of progressive products which deliver reliable and credible winning triggers (at 5 tiers between $200-$7,500). All of which assists in building authenticity, trust and digital dwell-time with the end user.
These jackpots are amassed by players’ contributions into the same dedicated account and shared across all participating operators under QTech Games network. When the jackpot triggers, this dedicated account is then paid out by QTech Games, which is also underwriting the Jackpot Rapid Fire system on a monthly settling-up basis.
Key Features:
5-tier progressive jackpot system: Mini, Minor, Major, Master, and Mega King ($200-$7,500);
More frequent jackpot wins maintain player excitement;
Jackpots are randomly triggered when 5 fire symbols land on the reels, adding excitement and unpredictability;
Live contribution and win tracking via QTech Back Office;
Available exclusively on selected Blueprint Gaming Rapid Fire games;
Full access across all markets;
Product is available across both desktop and mobile channels;
This game-changing, networked move from QTech Games also opens up further possibilities for both established and up-and-coming operators who can benefit from its pooled structure to pull up a chair at the progressive-jackpot table without the need for bottomless liquidity.
Intuitive back-office functionality for tracking and reporting allows partners to accurately unpack all jackpot details pertaining to contributions and payout values with platform-specific visibility (i.e. operators can only view their own data) while QTech’s unique API allows managers to effortlessly retrieve any jackpot ID, game or pools info, alongside real-time balances in any given currency. QTech Games is also delivering full marketing support – featuring assets, visuals and promotional ideas, tailored to operator campaigns.
Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “We’re excited to confirm that our new Jackpot Rapid Fire system is really turning players’ heads and keeping them coming back for repeat visits on a highly playable portfolio of dedicated titles from our friends at Blueprint Gaming. Operators understand that progressive jackpots are one of the most effective marketing tools around, and now QTech and Blueprint’s unique system is taking the notional risk and administration out of jackpot provision.”
“It’s vital for operators and players to have that trust, and QTech’s accessible back office and dedicated Jackpot Dashboard deliver that peace of mind in spades, with a live view of jackpot balances, contributions and wins. While players also benefit from credible and regular winning jackpot triggers across a host of our participating games. It’s also important to remember that no operator participation fee is required and jackpot contributions do not impact GGR.”
New Zealand and Australian gaming operator SkyCity has fully launched a new loyalty program, named SHOW by SkyCity in New Zealand, to replace its Premier Rewards program.
According to a company release on Monday, SHOW by SkyCity ‘allows both existing loyalty members and new entertainment seekers to sign up and opt in to rewards across this vibrant entertainment ecosystem’.
The new loyalty program applies to all of the group’s New Zealand properties, via a ‘sleek, connected card that unlocks access to all casino games, dining, hotel stays, and attractions’. Sign-up can be conducted online or onsite (via self-service kiosks or via staff assistance. The company says the procedure ‘takes less than five minutes’.
The roll-out comes after SkyCity launched its mandatory Carded Play system across its NZ properties in late July. It had initially announced the move in February, with expectations for the full role out in New Zealand in July and with plans to introduce the system at SkyCity Adelaide in 2026.
Amongst the conversion to mandatory Carded Play, the rollout began in Queenstown and Hamilton in early July, while it was completed in Auckland on July 22nd.
All customers playing at the group’s New Zealand casinos’ machines and table games need to provide the card, which includes identity verification and safeguards for play.
However, the group notes that customers can continue to use cash, QUICK Pay or Tito tickets when playing, after providing a legal form of photo ID.
Aside from ID verification, the card enables SkyCity to monitor gameplay patterns – including prompted and mandatory breaks as well as session, daily and weekly limits for all types of game play.
“SHOW by SkyCity is more than a new name; it’s a strategic shift,” notes Caroline Ah Chong-Douglas, SkyCity General Manager Marketing and Sales. “The visual identity and overall experience bring energy, excitement, and responsiveness to the customer journey. It unifies loyalty across the SkyCity precincts,” furthered the executive.
Donaco International is one step closer to its acquisition by Hong Kong-based On Nut Road, after shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favor of the takeover.
According to a Monday filing, some 98.11 percent of votes were in favor of the scheme, while 77.5 percent of shareholders present and voting voted in favor.
However, the deal is not yet done, as it still remains subject to the approval of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. A hearing on the issue is scheduled for August 7th.
If the vote goes in favor and other conditions are met, DNA indicates that it intends to lodge a copy of the orders with the Australian bourse on Friday, August 8th ‘so that the scheme will become effective on that date. The final scheme implementation is ‘expected to occur on Tuesday, 19th August’.
The scheme represents a 50 percent premium on the trading price of Donaco shares before the takeover bid was announced and a 9.8 percent premium on the June 18th price – the last day before the release of the scheme booklet.
In a separate filing, the group reiterated that the company’s board unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favor of the buyout. The directors justified the decision on three main reasons:
-‘The impact on costs due to the Thai government’s recent actions to cut power along certain towns between Thailand and Cambodia resulting in intermitted power supply;
-The potential tax liability from possible additional tax obligations on commercial gambling in Cambodia;
-‘The impact of Thailand’s border restrictions on the Star Vegas Resort & Club operations’
Genting Singapore has announced the appointment of Lee Shi Ruh as the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, effective from August 1st.
The executive has a long history with the Genting Group, holding the position of President of Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) from September of 2023, and the role of CEO since June of this year.
Lee Shi Ruh, President & COO, Genting Singapore
The group indicated in a filing with the Singapore Stock Exchange that the Lee will be ‘responsible for driving execution of strategic initiatives, operational performance, and sustainable growth across the Group’.
Lee will report directly to Executive Chairman and Acting CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay.
Lee has already served directly with Genting Singapore, as Chief Financial Officer from January of 2010 until July of 2025. Due to her new appointment she has relinquished her role as CFO.
The executive started at Genting Malaysia Berhad, Genting Singapore’s parent company, in 1994 as Vice President-Finance – where she worked until 2009.
Stepping in to assume Lee’s role as CFO is Ang Suat Ching, who has served as CFO of Resorts World at Sentosa since June of 2024. Ang will be overseeing the group’s financials, ‘including financial planning and analysis, treasury management, and financial reporting’.
In addition, the company has indicated that Nanami Kasasaki has stepped down from her position as Chief Corporate Officer of Genting Singapore, as well as a Director of RWS.
Speaking of the updates, Lim Kok Thay noted that “these appointments reflect our commitment to leadership renewal as the Group enters its next phase of growth. Shi Ruh brings a proven track record of sound decision-making, strategic discipline and a clear understanding of the Group’s long-term priorities, which will be invaluable in her expanded role as President & COO of the Company. We also welcome Suat Ching to the executive team, whose financial expertise will support our long-term value creation”.
Good Morning. Abracadabra. Melco Resorts has opened its $1.2 billion City of Dreams IR in Sri Lanka, as it aims to position the country as a potential “India’s Macau”. The group has also reported strong results during the second quarter of this year, thanks to a better-than-expected Macau rebound. Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has stated that he will not rush into a decision on calls for a total ban on online gambling, as the presidential palace tries to assess the proposal’s potential impact.
Sri Lanka’s largest private investment, the $1.2 billion City of Dreams Sri Lanka, officially launched its casino on August 2nd, marking a significant collaboration between Hong Kong’s Melco Resorts & Entertainment and local firm John Keells Holdings. Casino mogul Lawrence Ho suggested that Sri Lanka could become “India’s Macau,” targeting affluent tourists from India, the Middle East, Russia, and China.The resort, featuring two hotels, extensive gaming facilities, and luxury amenities, aims to boost Sri Lanka’s economy post-crisis by creating thousands of jobs and enhancing the country’s tourism profile
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.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has extended more than PHP67 million worth of relief assistance to communities severely affected by the successive storms and widespread flooding that struck Luzon in July.
The ongoing relief missions have benefitted more than 74,000 families in Metro Manila and Luzon who received food and non-food packs containing essentials like rice, canned goods, noodles and coffee as well as hygiene kits and sleeping mats.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said that in the last week of July alone, the agency distributed 41,000 relief packs worth Php37 million in Zambales, Bulacan, Laguna, Mindoro, Rizal, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Olongapo City.
The Tingog Partylist and the Office of Senator Lito Lapid also received care packages for distribution to their affected constituents.
Before this, and while heavy rains persisted, PAGCOR dispatched Php30.41 million worth of aid to affected residents of Manila, Quezon City, Marikina, Parañaque, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Bulacan, Occidental Mindoro, La Union, and Laguna.
“Today, even after the rains have stopped and the floodwaters have subsided, we continue to provide support to severely affected communities because we understand that recovery from the aftermath of disasters takes time,” the PAGCOR chief said.
“PAGCOR remains committed to support affected communities as they try to get back on their feet,” Mr. Tengco said.
Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino, whose office received 2,000 food and non-food packs from PAGCOR on Friday, July 31, said PAGCOR’s aid was a big help to the affected residents of Olongapo City.
“Sa PAGCOR, maraming salamat sa inyong malasakit para sa aming mga kababayan. Hindi po namin ito makakalimutan at malayo po ang mararating ng tulong na ito sa amin,” he said.
Aristocrat Gaming, a global leader in premium gaming content and technology, together with Aristocrat Interactive, a premier provider of online gaming platforms and services, will unveil their latest innovations and operator solutions at the Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE), taking place 12–14 August 2025 at Sydney’s International Convention Centre (ICC).
Aristocrat Gaming will showcase The Baron Upright cabinet, which recently launched in Australia and is lighting up gaming floors across the market. Following The Baron’s successful launch in Australia, the company’s newest hardware form factor is infusing a new type of energy onto gaming floors with its dynamic lighting, vivid graphics, and powerful audio.
In addition to The Baron Upright, Aristocrat Gaming will bring an exciting game line-up led by Fabulous Hold & Spin and Heaven & Earth, which will take centre stage. These games incorporate on-trend player favourite mechanics while adding innovative new jackpot feature animations not seen in the market before.
“Our display at AGE will demonstrate Aristocrat’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional content and innovation for customers. From game-changing hardware to operator-centric solutions, we continue to find new ways to transform the gaming experience,” said David Ronson, Managing Director ANZ at Aristocrat Gaming.
The Gaming Systems business from Aristocrat Interactive will also showcase how it is innovating the patron experience through its Systems S7000 product. The S7000 provides venues with a powerful, all-in-one platform for player engagement, promotions, membership management, and real-time gaming performance reporting. With core features and enhanced products like PRIME Alerts and PRIME Player, it’s designed for scalability to enable venues to seamlessly add modules to suit the growth of their business.
In addition, the team will unveil one of the most anticipated products on the market: MyPLAY. MyPLAY is our cutting-edge cashless solution, designed to bring seamless, secure innovation to operators and their players. We’re proud to showcase a new era of gaming convenience, where cashless truly means effortless.
Visit Aristocrat Gaming and Aristocrat Interactive at Exhibition Stand #100.
Dozens of New Zealand sporting bodies are joining hands against the country’s proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill, warning it could hurt local sport across the nation.
The primary concern is that future operators would not support sport via community funding grants. Some groups argue that there has been no consultation with the community sports sector, one which is already struggling to attract sponsorship.
The hopes are that by joining together, the groups can better raise their concerns with top officials and mitigate potential losses in funding before it can affect the youth.
The Online Casino Gambling Bill passed its first reading by the nation’s parliament in mid-July, with 83 votes in favor versus 39 against.
When introducing the bill, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden highlighted that it was “protecting New Zealanders who enjoy gambling online by introducing robust safety measures for licensed operators”.
In its current form, the bill would grant up to 15 online licenses via auction, each subject to a three-year period.
The auction period is expected to commence next year.
Gaming operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment posted a strong set of second-quarter results, led by robust growth in Macau and preparations for its landmark opening in Sri Lanka, as executives expressed cautious optimism over continued momentum across Asia despite heightened regional competition.
“We achieved a strong set of results for the second quarter of 2025 in Macau”, said Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho during the company’s earnings call last Thursday. “Macau property EBITDA grew by 35 percent year-over-year and 13 percent quarter-on-quarter,” he noted, pointing to record gaming volumes and rising visitation.
“Mass table games revenue at both City of Dreams and Studio City reached all-time highs.”
The executive said that average daily property visitation at Melco’s Macau resorts hit record levels in July, while revenue from non-gaming attractions such as the recently relaunched House of Dancing Water show helped fuel overall growth.
The performance in Macau contrasts with softer results in the Philippines and geopolitical disruptions in Cyprus, though management said both markets are stabilizing. Meanwhile, all eyes have been on the grand opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka — a major bet on South Asia’s emerging tourism and gaming sector.
“This is the first integrated resort in South Asia,” Ho told analysts. “We’re effectively creating a whole new industry. We’re very excited — not just about Sri Lanka, but also about what it means for access to the Indian premium segment.”
Evan Winkler, Melco’s President, added that while the property in Colombo is expected to ramp up gradually, it represents a “paradigm shift” for the region. “We’re offering a true integrated resort experience in a market that’s only known outdated stand-alone casinos,” he said.
Macau shines amid competitive jostling
In Macau, Melco continues to invest in product upgrades and customer experience, including a full renovation of the Countdown Hotel, set to reopen as a luxury all-suite tower in 2026. “It’s going to be a super unique product that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world”, Ho said.
The group is also revamping its casino floors to appeal to premium mass customers, with Winkler detailing an “unprecedented number of projects” underway — from high-limit slot lounges to experiential spaces with simulators, jukeboxes, and bespoke food offerings.
Despite rival operators stepping up marketing spend to regain market share, Melco executives insisted they are staying the course with a disciplined reinvestment strategy.
“Macau is always going to be competitive,” said Ho. “But we prefer to compete on product and service — not who’s giving the biggest deals.”
Winkler added: “We’re trying to be more strategic in where we place our marketing dollars, using better data to reward the right customers. That’s how we’ve kept our reinvestment down while still driving growth.”
Melco also confirmed the upcoming closures of the Grand Dragon Casino and three Mocha Clubs, a move aimed at consolidating operations amid an evolving regulatory and economic landscape, namely the Macau SAR’s decision to shut any satellite casinos not owned by operators.
“We’re quite excited about the satellite closures,” Ho said. “It’s an opportunity for us to optimize our gaming units. For example, Altira will become the only casino in Taipa, giving us a stronger positioning.”
Melco’s group-wide adjusted property EBITDA rose 25 percent to $378 million in the second quarter, while Macau alone delivered a 29.2 percent EBITDA margin — the second-highest on record.
“We’re staying very disciplined on costs”, said CFO Geoff Davis. “Daily OpEx in Macau was reduced to about $3 million — better than our target — while we maintained margins and market share.”
The House of Dancing Water show, which reopened in May, contributed positively to earnings, though Winkler admitted more could be done to convert audiences into gaming customers. “It brings in nearly 4,000 guests per night and has a huge halo effect”, he said. “But we see opportunities to better capture that traffic on the gaming floor.”
Melco’s liquidity remains healthy, with $2.3 billion in available funds. It used some of that to repurchase $120 million in shares in the second quarter, citing favorable equity market conditions.
The Philippines and Cyprus stabilize
While Macau is booming, Melco’s Philippines operations continue to face a “heightened competitive environment,” executives said. The group has responded with cost cuts and more selective marketing.
“We’ve implemented rationalization measures and are already seeing higher profitability”, said Ho. Geoff Andres, Property President in Manila, added that “July saw stabilization and new junket partners, setting us up for a better second half.”
In Cyprus, where the June conflict between Iran and Israel weighed on tourism, Ho said recovery has been quicker than expected. “GGR has now surpassed pre-war levels,” he said. “We’re cautiously optimistic for the rest of the summer.”
Despite macro uncertainties and intensifying competition in Asia’s gaming sector, Melco executives are confident in their strategy of product-led growth and disciplined financial management.
“The Chinese economy appears to be stabilizing, and people are spending again”, Ho said. “That sets us up for a great third quarter.”
Winkler echoed that sentiment. “We feel very good about the market and our positioning”, he said. “We’re not chasing every deal. We’re investing in long-term value — and it’s paying off.”
