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Digitain strengthens European operations with strategic Malta expansion

AGBrief Editorial
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Digitain strengthens European operations with strategic Malta expansion

Recognized as a premier provider in sportsbook, casino, and iGaming platform technologies, Digitain has announced its Malta office’s emergence as a strategic hub for commercial, regulatory, and partnership functions across Europe.

Positioned in one of the world’s most respected iGaming jurisdictions, Digitain Malta serves as a central hub for commercial, compliance, and partner support functions, reinforcing the company’s dedication to serving regulated markets with agile, localized solutions.

Malta’s office is also a regional base for key executives and support staff, enabling the company to support existing partnerships more directly while exploring new business opportunities throughout Europe and beyond. The establishment of the Malta office further highlights Digitain’s commitment to regulated markets and its mission to deliver innovative, partner-centric technologies to partners worldwide.

Aida Vardanyan, Digitain
Aida Vardanyan

Aida Vardanyan, CEO at Digitain Malta, commented: “Our Malta office is more than just a location—it’s a strategic hub for our European operations. It helps us stay closely connected with our European partners, better understand local needs, and provide more responsive support. Being based here allows us to build stronger relationships and deliver on our long-term vision of enhanced regional partnerships.”

Gil Soffer, Chief Commercial Officer at Digitain Malta, added: “Malta gives us a unique advantage, as it allows us to operate at the heart of Europe’s iGaming ecosystem. We’re closer to our partners and better positioned to support market-specific demands. It’s a practical step that strengthens both our day-to-day operations and long-term ambitions across Europe and beyond.”

SIS announces new Competitive Gaming leadership team to drive business growth

AGBrief Editorial
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SIS announces new Competitive Gaming leadership team to drive business growth

The leading multi-content provider of 24/7 live betting services, SIS (Sports Information Services), has named a new Competitive Gaming leadership team as it looks to build on the product’s established international success.

The move sees Peter Camden step into the role of Head of Competitive Gaming Product, with Stephen Maguire becoming Head of Competitive Gaming Operations and Aaron St Pierre now the Head of Sports Trading. 

With just under a decade’s worth of combined service working for the UK-based supplier, the trio have been influential in growing the vertical’s global footprint across Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the US.

The high-integrity, end-to-end esports betting product presents round-the-clock, short-form betting opportunities across 225,000 annual eBasketball and eSoccer events, adding as much as 10% in value for its partner sportsbooks.

The trio of promotions arrive at an exciting time for SIS, with continued enhancements to the Competitive Gaming portfolio and the vertical’s geographical expansion forming key parts of the supplier’s ambitious plans.

Andy Purkiss, Chief Operating Officer at SIS, said: “Peter, Stephen and Aaron have been critical in driving Competitive Gaming’s extensive offering to our large network of international operators. We are delighted to see the trio step into roles that will allow us to continue to flourish. Their leadership, expertise and passion for the product leave us confident we will unlock even greater value for our partners moving forward, scaling our presence in key markets while setting the industry standard for integrity-led, data-rich betting content.” 

Pragmatic Play launches fresh Arcade lineup featuring Plinko+

AGBrief Editorial
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Pragmatic Play launches fresh Arcade lineup featuring Plinko+

Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, has expanded its multi-product portfolio with an all-new collection of arcade games headlined by Plinko+ by Pragmatic Play. 

Arcade titles from Pragmatic Play will offer fun and familiar gameplay with simple mechanics and themes, making them ideal for players in search of casual gaming experiences. 

Pragmatic Play’s debut arcade release, Plinko+, sees players drop balls from the top of a pyramid-style game grid. Each ball randomly bounces off pins before settling in a prize bucket at the bottom. The middle buckets award the lowest prizes, while the outer buckets award the biggest. 

Players can customise their Plinko+ experience between rounds by changing the size of the pyramid (8-16 lines) and the risk setting (low to high), affecting the number and size of prizes available.  

Guided by a commitment to responsible gambling and player entertainment, Pragmatic Play delivers diverse, original gaming experiences to all types of players in regulated markets worldwide, with Arcade being the latest product addition to Pragmatic Play’s award-winning range, which includes slots, live casino, sportsbook, and more. 

Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “Plinko+ is the first title in Pragmatic Play’s new arcade portfolio, combining simple, low-volatility gaming with a fun theme, vibrant graphics, and multipliers of up to 1,000x. More arcade games are set to follow, with Spire+ and Mines+ coming soon.” 

PAGCOR 2025 Photo Competition makes final call for submissions

AGBrief Editorial
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PAGCOR 2025 Photo Competition makes final call for submissions

PAGCOR is making its final call for submission of entries for the 2025 PAGCOR Photography Contest, with the deadline set on July 31, 2025.

The nationwide competition invites Filipino photographers, both amateur and professional, aged 16 and above, to submit compelling images that reflect this year’s theme: “Infrastructure for Economic Development.”

The contest seeks to highlight the critical role of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, airports, power and water systems, and digital networks in driving national growth and uplifting communities. 

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco emphasized the importance of the theme in a time of rapid national development.

“We want to showcase how infrastructure development fosters connectivity, stimulates economic activity, and paves the way for inclusive progress across the country,” he said.

“With just a few days remaining before the deadline, we are encouraging aspiring and seasoned photographers alike to seize this opportunity and tell powerful stories of progress, one frame at a time,” the PAGCOR chief added.

The contest which officially opened on February 1, 2025 has three categories: Conventional for images taken with digital cameras; Mobile for those captured using smartphones or action cameras; and Drone for aerial shots taken with drone-mounted cameras.

Eight grand winners will be selected per category. The top prize for the Conventional Category is Php100,000 and a trophy, while winners in the Mobile and Drone Categories will each receive Php50,000 and a trophy.

Non-winning finalists will also receive consolation prizes of Php35,000 (Conventional) and Php20,000 (Mobile and Drone) each.

All entries must be submitted through the official contest website at
https://www.pagcor.ph/photocon2025/index.php

SJM’s new Hengqin hotel project to involve $101.2M investment, could open by 2028

Nelson Moura
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SJM’s new Hengqin hotel project to involve $101.2M investment, could open by 2028

Macau gaming concessionaire SJM Holdings has announced a significant investment of approximately RMB724 million ($101.2 million) in a new hotel development in the nearby region of Hengqin, marking a strategic expansion in the Greater Bay Area.

SJM said its budget hotel would complement its existing five-star offerings in Macau, such as the Grand Lisboa Palace and the Grand Lisboa, by targeting a wider segment of the travel market.

Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau
Grand Lisboa Palace
Grand Lisboa Hotel, SJM
Grand Lisboa

The group also stressed that the conversion works will be carried out by the project’s original developer, which has experience building hotels in the area.

The hotel is expected to open by early 2028, pending final government approvals. Once completed, the facility will offer lower operating costs and new revenue streams, SJM said, positioning the group for more balanced growth in a post-pandemic tourism environment.

The deal involves the purchase of office and retail units within a mixed-use complex developed by Zhuhai Hengqin Shun Tak Property Development, a company linked to SJM board chair Daisy Ho and her sister, businesswoman Pansy Ho.

Following a preliminary announcement in December 2024, the company, through its subsidiary SJM – Investment Limited, has signed an agreement with Zhuhai Hengqin Shun Tak Property Development Company Limited to acquire office properties at Xin De Kou An Shang Wu Zhong Xin.

Due to the relationship, the deal is classified as a “connected transaction” under Hong Kong’s listing rules, though it does not require shareholder approval.

SJM plans to convert the bare-shell property into a mid-range hotel by 2028, leveraging cost advantages and brand recognition to extend its reach beyond the high-end market. The seven-stage payment plan will be funded through internal resources and financing facilities.

The site will be transformed into a three-star hotel, contributing to a lifestyle hub that includes residential, retail, and office spaces adjacent to Hengqin Port.

The operator highlighted that this project aligns with national policies aimed at enhancing the integration between Hengqin and Macau, while also diversifying the tourism landscape in the region. “This project represents more than an expansion of our hotel portfolio.

“It reflects our strong alignment with national strategies to deepen integration between Hengqin and Macau”, said Daisy Ho, Chairman of SJM Holdings in the announcement, adding that the company’s commitment to cross-border tourism and collaboration with mainland partners.

The acquisition encompasses 12 stories of strata office units, totaling approximately 19,781 square meters, and is strategically located near high-traffic gateways and transportation links, making it well-positioned to attract cross-border travelers.

Renovation works are expected to be completed within 24 months, paving the way for new revenue streams and operational synergies with existing SJM properties, including the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort and Grand Lisboa Hotel.

SJM underscored the hotel aims to cater to the underserved mass market segment, reinforcing a commitment to advancing the SAR’s “tourism+” policy agenda and capturing long-term value in the evolving landscape of Hengqin and Macau.

Macau casino stocks rally 53% amid visitor boom, GGR surprise

Viviana Chan
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Macau casino stocks rally 53% amid visitor boom, GGR surprise

Macau gaming stocks have surged 53 percent from their April lows, significantly outperforming the broader Hong Kong market, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. 

The rally has been driven by a rebound in gross gaming revenue (GGR), supported by special events, increased tourism, and improved transportation access.

According to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), Macau welcomed 19.22 million visitors in the first six months of 2025—a robust 14.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Macau Visitor Arrivals, as of June 2025

The Bloomberg Intelligence index tracking Macau gaming shares has outpaced the Hang Seng Composite Index, which gained 30 percent over the same period. Monthly gaming revenue in Macau has exceeded analyst expectations for three consecutive months.

The acceleration of the rebound was first observed in May, when Galaxy Entertainment Chairman Francis Lui reported double-digit growth during the May Day holiday. This double-digit growth far exceeded the low single-digit growth projected by several investment banks. In June, Macau’s GGR reached MOP21.06 billion ($2.6 billion), marking a surprising 19 percent year-on-year increase. Analysts noted that the market outperformed seasonal expectations, which typically dip before the summer holidays.

Macau GGR June 2025, Gross gaming revenue

The trend appears likely to continue. Last week, Seaport Research Partners revised its 2025 GGR forecast for Macau upward, now projecting 7 percent year-on-year growth. The firm cited stronger-than-expected performance in the second quarter and a positive outlook for the second half of the year, where growth could reach as high as 9 percent.

The revised projections reflect growing investor confidence in Macau’s long-term recovery, despite broader concerns about China’s macroeconomic outlook and softness in the US gaming market. In its latest sector note, Seaport stated that although 2025 began slowly, signs of a summer rebound are “bearing fruit,” with momentum expected to continue through the rest of the year.

Macau, visitor arrivals, tourism

Bloomberg reports that analysts attribute the sector’s recovery to a combination of non-gaming attractions and infrastructure improvements. High-profile concerts by Cantopop star Jacky Cheung and South Korean rapper G-Dragon have drawn large crowds, while enhancements to railway connectivity and a supportive visa regime have made travel to Macau more convenient.

Analysts believe that the supportive visa regime, improved travel infrastructure, and continued expansion of non-gaming offerings will drive strong gaming revenue growth in 2025. They also view Macau gaming shares as attractive at current levels, given the sector’s favorable long-term outlook.

Among the top-performing stocks, US-listed shares of Melco Resorts & Entertainment have climbed 95 percent since April, while Hong Kong-listed MGM China Holdings has gained 70 percent.

Despite these gains, sector valuations remain below historical averages. The Bloomberg Intelligence index is currently trading at 8.7 times enterprise value to estimated forward EBITDA, well below its five-year average of approximately 14 times. This relative undervaluation may continue to attract investor interest.

Online gaming issue not raised by PH President in State of the Nation Address

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Online gaming issue not raised by PH President in State of the Nation Address

Despite expectations that the Philippine president would potentially address the calls to ban online gambling in the country, the issue was not raised during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

During his 70 minutes addressing the nation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr focused on issues such as healthcare, infrastructure and security, while also encouraging outside foreign investment.

The top official also doubled down on efforts to stomp out corruption in its various forms, while pledging that the 2026 national budget must fully align with planned spending.

A key element that was absent from his speech, conducted almost primarily in Tagalog except for a few brief sentences in English, was a mention of the gaming industry.

This was of particular note, given how last year’s SONA was used to announce the full closure of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) – including those found to be operating legally.

Analysts were expecting that the president would on Monday address calls to completely shutter the online gaming industry, or to increase taxation and oversight of the sector.

The calls for a total ban have been met with resistance, with opponents arguing that such a move would only push punters to the illegal market, meaning the government would lose both oversight and tax revenue.

An increase in tax revenue has also been argued to be potentially harmful to the sector – which already has one of the highest tax rates in the world for the online sector. Critics say a further tax hike could cause legitimate operators to close, with their clients shifting to the black market.

The president had previously expressed interest in further reviewing the online gaming sector, however, and the absence of discussion in the SONA does not mean that the issue is completely off the table, particularly as influential politicians are working to maintain the issue in the public spotlight.

Pansy Ho’s firm among expected bidders as Portugal launches casino concession tender

Viviana Chan
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Pansy Ho’s firm among expected bidders as Portugal launches casino concession tender

Pansy Ho’s Estoril Sol is expected to compete for the renewal of its Póvoa de Varzim casino concession, as the Portuguese government launched a public tender last week for casino licenses worth millions of euros across three regions.

Pansy Ho

Póvoa de Varzim is a city in northern Portugal and part of the Greater Porto sub-region. Porto is the country’s second-largest city.

The Portuguese government has opened public tenders for casino concessions in Espinho, Póvoa de Varzim, and the Algarve. The new licenses will be valid for 15 years, with applications due by September 5th, 2025. The current contracts, originally set to expire in 2023, were extended until the end of 2025 to compensate for losses caused by casino closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Estoril Sol, chaired by Macau gaming magnate Pansy Ho and controlled by the Ho family, currently operates the Póvoa de Varzim casino through a subsidiary.

According to Macau public broadcaster TDM, which cited industry sources familiar with the gaming sector, the company is expected to bid for the license renewal, given the profitability of the Póvoa operation as reflected in its recent financial results.

The tender notice, published in the Official Journal of the European Union, covers five casino licenses across the three gaming zones. In the Algarve, three licenses are available, while Espinho and Póvoa de Varzim each have one.

The Ho family’s casino interests in Portugal also include Casino de Lisboa in Lisbon and Casino do Estoril in Cascais.

Pansy Ho, daughter of the late Stanley Ho, serves as chairman of Estoril Sol and co-chairman of MGM China, among other gaming ventures.

Belle Corp.’s City of Dreams Manila gaming revenue share drops 18% in 1H25

Viviana Chan
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Belle Corp.’s City of Dreams Manila gaming revenue share drops 18% in 1H25

Belle Corporation, the Philippine-listed parent company and landlord of City of Dreams Manila, reported an 18 percent decline in its subsidiary’s share of gaming revenue during the first half of 2025, according to its latest financial results filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Premium Leisure Corporation (PLC), a Belle subsidiary, recorded gaming revenue of PHP772.3 million ($13.5 million) in 1H25, down PHP170.7 million ($2.99 million) from PHP943 million ($16.5 million) registered in the same period last year.

The decline comes as Belle Corporation posted consolidated net income of PHP801 million ($14 million) for the six months ended June 30th, 2025, representing a 9 percent decrease from PHP882.4 million ($15.4 million) in the same period of 2024. The company attributed the lower net income to declining revenues, partially offset by reduced costs and expenses.

City of Dreams Manila operates under a revenue-sharing agreement between Belle Corporation’s subsidiary and Melco Resorts & Entertainment (Philippines) Corporation.

Belle’s consolidated revenues fell 10 percent to PHP2.47 billion ($43.3 million) in the first half of 2025, compared to PHP2.75 billion ($48.2 million) in the same period last year. Real estate operations contributed PHP1.44 billion ($25.3 million), a 7 percent decrease from PHP1.55 billion ($27.1 million) in 2024.

However, lease revenues from City of Dreams Manila remained resilient, reaching PHP1.17 billion ($20.6 million) in 1H25, a modest 1 percent increase from PHP1.16 billion ($20.3 million) the previous year.

The gaming revenue decline comes amid broader strategic developments for City of Dreams Manila. In February 2025, Melco Resorts & Entertainment indicated it was evaluating potential strategic alternatives for its involvement in the property, with Chairman Lawrence Ho noting the group’s shift toward an “asset-light” strategy.

Belle Corporation has clarified that it does not intend to acquire Melco’s interests should the casino operator exit the Philippines. Instead, Belle stated in January that it is pursuing Clark as a “strategic location” for future growth opportunities.

CreditSights: Macau’s June GGR overperforms, satellite casino closures not likely to have a ‘significant impact’

Kelsey Wilhelm
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CreditSights: Macau’s June GGR overperforms, satellite casino closures not likely to have a ‘significant impact’

The first half of the year ended well for Macau’s gaming operators, with analysts at CreditSights – under the Fitch Group – noting that gross gaming revenue in June ‘far exceeded market expectations’.

According to official data, the June figure topped out at MOP21.06 billion ($2.61 billion), up by 19 percent yearly, ‘largely on the back of strong visitations thanks to high profile concerts during the month’.

This drove the 1H25 results up by 4 percent yearly, with analysts Nicholas Chen and David Bussey noting that VIP GGR was up by 11 percent yearly, while mass GGR ‘lagged’ – rising by just 2 percent year-on-year.

Looking back at the month itself, the analysts note that GGR per visitor was up by 5 percent yearly, to MOP7,286 ($905), outpacing the year-on-year growth in visitation, ‘potentially suggesting that there were more premium punters within the casino goers mix during the month’.

Visitation in the last month of 1H25 totaled 93 percent of the same month in 2019, with Chinese visitors reaching 95 percent of those levels. Official data show Macau welcomed 19.22 million visitors in 1H25, up by nearly 15 percent yearly.

Of particularly highlight were the concerts by Cantopop legend Jacky Cheung and American electronic duo The Chainsmokers as contributors to the influx in the final month of the half-year.

The analysts note that the average monthly GGR of MOP19.8 billion ($2.46 billion) ‘is still meeting the MOP19 billion ($2.36 billion) level required to reach the FY25 GGR target’. In a previous report, CreditSights indicated that the Macau government’s decision to revise down its FY25 GGR target to MOP228 billion ($28.4 billion) from MOP240 billion ($30 billion) did not come as a ‘complete surprise’.

Satellite casino closures not a concern

As the closure of Macau’s satellite casinos by year end looms, ‘we do not think the closures is likely to have a significant impact on the sector,’ note the analysts.

‘We opine that the affected gaming tables […] would likely be re-circulated back into operation at the operators’ other facilities.

On Monday, concessionaire SJM indicated that it was going to close its Casino Grandview, in Taipa, ahead of time (on July 30th) – with plans to relocate the relevant gaming tables to its other properties.

SJM has announced its intention to maintain two of its nine satellite casino operations – at Ponte 16 and L’Arc, with the other seven to close by December 31st.

According to the new report, ‘Fitch saw no rating impact for SJM and limited impact on its credit profile’, given the reallocation of its tables.

Meanwhile, Melco, which operates one satellite casino – Grand Dragon, had previously announced that it would cease operations at the property by the end of the year, alongside the closure of three of its Mocha Clubs venues. The analysts also opine that they saw ‘limited impact for Melco’ due to the closures.



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