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SOFTSWISS heads to SiGMA Asia 2026 to help operators scale across Asian markets

AGBrief Editorial
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SOFTSWISS heads to SiGMA Asia 2026 to help operators scale across Asian markets

SOFTSWISS will attend SiGMA Asia 2026 at stand 2566 to support operators entering or scaling across Asian markets by showcasing solutions that reduce time-to-market across multiple jurisdictions while ensuring full compliance readiness.

Asia remains one of the most diverse iGaming regions, with different player preferences and operational requirements across markets. SOFTSWISS will be available throughout the exhibition to discuss practical approaches to product launches, localisation, and regional scalability for both established operators and those entering Asian markets for the first time.

SOFTSWISS
Miranda Guliashvili, Head of Regional Growth at SOFTSWISS

One of the key topics at the event will be prediction markets. Miranda Guliashvili, Head of Regional Growth at SOFTSWISS, will join the panel discussion Prediction Markets in Asia: ‘Event Contracts’ vs iGaming – Charting Regulatory Frontiers and Product Horizons on 3 June at 11:35.

The session will focus on how prediction markets fit within Asia’s evolving market landscape and how operators can launch products successfully in the region. The discussion follows the recent launch of SOFTSWISS Prediction Markets, a fixed-odds solution that allows operators to offer wagering on the outcomes of real-world events across global economies, technology, and culture.

Miranda Guliashvili, Head of Regional Growth at SOFTSWISS, said: “Asia is one of the most operationally complex regions in iGaming, because player behaviour and product expectations differ significantly market by market. At SOFTSWISS, we focus on helping operators adapt faster to those local requirements. We already have experience working in fast-changing markets and understand how important flexibility and speed are for regional growth. This is especially relevant for newer verticals such as prediction markets, where regulation and product formats are still evolving across jurisdictions.”

SOFTSWISS and SA Gaming will also host a private networking event during SiGMA Asia 2026, bringing together operators focused on sustainable growth in the Asian market. The event reflects both companies’ shared commitment to building long-term regional partnerships and signals continued investment in the region.

Visitors can meet the SOFTSWISS team at stand 2566 to explore how the Casino Platform, Sportsbook, Game Aggregator, and Prediction Markets solution can be configured for regional compliance requirements and local player preferences.

Global regulators grapple with technology, illegal gambling and blurred market boundaries: panel

Viviana Chan
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Global regulators grapple with technology, illegal gambling and blurred market boundaries: panel

Regulators across global gaming jurisdictions are increasingly focused on illegal gambling, technological disruption, talent shortages and the blurring lines between gambling and entertainment, according to International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) president Ben Haden during a panel discussion at G2E Asia.

Speaking with MdME partner Rui Proença on the third day of the conference, Haden outlined four major regulatory trends shaping the global gaming industry as more jurisdictions move toward regulated gambling frameworks.

Haden said the growing number of regulated markets was pushing regulators to reassess existing frameworks and learn from international models. He cited Ontario as an example of a jurisdiction that combined regulatory elements from different regions while adapting them to local cultural conditions.

“I think that’s a brilliant example of how regulatory thinking is moving forward,” Haden said. He added that new jurisdictions frequently challenge established regulators by questioning why certain approaches were adopted.

Global regulators grapple with technology, illegal gambling and blurred market boundaries: panel

A second common challenge identified by Haden was attracting qualified talent into regulatory bodies. He said regulators globally were struggling to secure the technical expertise needed to oversee increasingly complex gambling markets, particularly as technology continues to evolve.

“The same is true of the regulatory community,” Haden said, noting that both regulators and commercial operators are competing for skilled professionals.

Technology and artificial intelligence were also identified as major concerns for regulators. Haden said gambling supply chains had become “far more open” than in the past, creating additional oversight challenges as new technologies rapidly reshape the industry landscape.

He also pointed to increasingly blurred boundaries between gambling, gaming and broader entertainment sectors, particularly in emerging areas such as prediction markets in the United States.

“I think that starts to lead to tough questions,” Haden said.

Illegal gambling remained a central topic during the discussion, particularly in Asia, where Proença cited estimates suggesting annual illegal gambling revenue exceeds $100 billion. Haden said illegal gambling could not be completely eradicated, but regulators should focus on “disrupting” illegal operators and making large-scale operations more difficult.

He also called for greater involvement from social media platforms, technology companies and payment providers, arguing that such firms could no longer remain passive participants in the broader gambling ecosystem.

“Technology’s a bit like water, it will find a way,” Haden said, adding that regulators must continue adapting as digital channels reshape gambling markets globally.

Sega Sammy wipes out Stakelogic goodwill less than a year after $146M acquisition

Viviana Chan
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Sega Sammy wipes out Stakelogic goodwill less than a year after $146M acquisition

Japanese conglomerate Sega Sammy Holdings has booked a full impairment on the goodwill tied to its acquisition of Netherlands-based iGaming supplier Stakelogic, less than a year after the deal closed, contributing to a group net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31st, 2026.

The company recognized approximately JPY18 billion ($114 million) in extraordinary losses against Stakelogic goodwill, alongside a further JPY0.7 billion ($4.4 million) impairment linked to the planned downsizing of the supplier’s Netherlands operations. The combined write-off effectively erased the goodwill value Sega Sammy had attributed to the €125 million ($146 million) acquisition, which closed in April 2025.

Sega Sammy attributed the impairment primarily to ‘market contraction in the Netherlands following regulatory tightening.’ The Dutch online gambling market has been under pressure since the introduction of mandatory deposit limits and other player-protection measures.

Stakelogic

The Stakelogic write-down, together with a JPY32 billion ($203 million) impairment on Finnish mobile game developer Rovio Entertainment, pushed Sega Sammy to a group net loss of JPY5.7 billion ($36.1 million), compared with a net profit of JPY45 billion ($285 million) a year earlier.

Consolidated net sales rose 13.7 percent year-over-year to JPY487.5 billion ($3.09 billion), while operating income edged down 2.1 percent to JPY47.1 billion ($298 million). Adjusted EBITDA fell sharply to JPY16.6 billion ($105 million) from JPY62.2 billion ($394 million).

Within the gaming segment, the operating loss widened to JPY7.2 billion ($45.6 million) from JPY0.7 billion ($4.4 million) a year earlier, reflecting the consolidation of Stakelogic and U.S.-based GAN Ltd.. Segment sales nonetheless climbed to JPY25.3 billion ($160 million) from JPY5.4 billion ($34.2 million). The company expects the gaming operating loss to widen further to JPY10 billion ($63.3 million) in the fiscal year ending March 2027, due to upfront investments to build a B2B solutions platform in the United States.

In response to the impairments, Sega Sammy announced a significant strategic shift. The company said it has decided to ‘suspend large-scale M&A activities for the time being’ and revised its capital allocation policy, reallocating approximately JPY20 billion ($127 million) previously earmarked for strategic investments into a share buyback program executed between February and March 2026.

The medium-term plan targets have also been substantially lowered. The three-year cumulative adjusted EBITDA goal for fiscal years 2025 through 2027 has been cut from ‘over JPY230 billion’ ($1.46 billion) to JPY142.5 billion ($903 million), while the average return-on-equity target has been reduced from ‘over 10 percent’ to ‘over 6.5 percent.’

For Stakelogic, Sega Sammy outlined a restructuring plan for the fiscal year ending March 2027 that includes downsizing Netherlands operations, streamlining its development pipeline, and shifting focus toward porting Sega Sammy Creation Inc. titles online for expansion into the U.S. social casino market. The company described the approach as a ‘shift from quantity to quality.’

Hyatt Regency Incheon Paradise City

Paradise City delivers record year

In contrast to the troubled iGaming acquisitions, Sega Sammy’s equity-method affiliate Paradise Sega Sammy, operator of the Paradise City integrated resort near Incheon International Airport in South Korea, posted record-high results for calendar 2025.

Paradise City’s total sales rose to KRW597.4 billion ($400.2 million) from KRW539.3 billion ($361.2 million) the previous year, with casino revenue climbing to KRW480 billion ($322.0 million), driven by both Japanese VIP and mass-market customers. The number of casino visitors increased to 434,000 from 363,000. Hotel sales also reached an all-time high, supported by strong occupancy and average daily rates.

Sega Sammy’s equity-method earnings from the affiliate rose to JPY4.5 billion ($28.5 million) from JPY3.2 billion ($20.3 million), boosted by operating performance as well as the recognition of deferred tax assets and tax refunds. The company has also acquired an adjacent hotel building, which is scheduled to open as the Hyatt Regency Incheon Paradise City and is expected to expand the resort’s customer base.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Genting Singapore profit halves in 1Q26

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Genting Singapore profit halves in 1Q26
Good morning. Pressure points. Genting Singapore is juggling rising transformation costs, weak VIP play and mounting competition from Marina Bay Sands — and the numbers are wobbling. First-quarter profit was cut in half as Resorts World Sentosa absorbed refurbishment disruption and softer premium gaming volumes, with Maybank warning the turnaround may take time. In Macau, a G2E Asia panel said disconnected data systems are holding operators back from delivering smarter, more personalized gaming experiences. And MGM China’s Kenneth Feng explained why suite conversions are less about luxury hospitality and more about squeezing more gaming yield from every square foot.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

SINGAPORE

Resorts World Sentosa, Genting Singapore

Resorts World Sentosa transformation costs pressure Genting

Genting Singapore posted a 55 percent decline in first-quarter net profit, hurt by elevated RWS transformation costs and record-low VIP gaming volumes, while Maybank said 2026 is likely to remain another transitional year as gaming recovery slows and competitive pressure from Marina Bay Sands continues to intensify.

Industry Updates

Corporate Spotlight

How Crypto Adoption in Asia is Changing iGaming Payments

Yevhen Krazhan, CSO for GR8 Tech

Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech, explores how surging crypto adoption across Asia is revolutionizing iGaming payments, stating: “When I look at what’s changing fastest in Asia, it’s payment behavior,” as wallets, stablecoins, and seamless cross-border transfers become deeply ingrained in player habits. The winning operators will be those that offer fast, reliable, and local deposits and withdrawals. To make sense of it, Yevhen breaks Asia into two crypto realities.

INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | AWARDS | CAREERS | EVENTS

Okada Manila expands online push with Okada Play launch

Viviana Chan
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Okada Manila expands online push with Okada Play launch

PhilWeb Corporation and Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc. have formally launched the Okada Play online gaming platform in the Philippines, marking a new phase in Okada Manila’s digital expansion strategy.

The companies confirmed the commercial rollout on May 13th, 2026, following the partnership unveiled between the two entities in March.

The platform is powered by PhilWeb’s Online Gaming Platform solution and combines gaming content, platform technology, and customer service infrastructure within what the companies described as a regulated framework for the Philippine online gaming market.

According to the announcement, the launch is intended to support Okada Manila’s broader omnichannel strategy by extending its land-based gaming operations into digital channels and creating additional revenue opportunities beyond the physical resort.

“The official launch of Okada Play demonstrates our capability to execute and deploy end-to-end digital infrastructure for the industry’s most recognized luxury brands,” said Brian Ng, president of PhilWeb Corporation. He added that the platform would allow Tiger Resort to extend the Okada Manila gaming experience to digital players nationwide.

Nobuki Sato, president and chief operating officer of Okada Manila, said the launch represents an important step in the resort’s digital expansion. He said Okada Play complements the company’s land-based operations and existing online platform while leveraging PhilWeb’s technology and operational expertise.

Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc. is a subsidiary of Universal Entertainment Corporation and operates Okada Manila, the integrated resort in Entertainment City.

Brightstar Lottery secures contract with Lottotech for RetailerPro S2 upgrade

AGBrief Editorial
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Brightstar Lottery secures contract with Lottotech for RetailerPro S2 upgrade

Brightstar Lottery has announced that its subsidiaries, Brightstar Global Solutions Corporation and Brightstar Lottery Cyprus Limited, have secured a multi-year contract extension with Lottotech, operator of the Mauritius National Lottery.

RetailerPro S2, Brightstar Lottery

As part of the renewed agreement, Brightstar will deploy an advanced lottery central system designed to unlock new operational benefits, while also upgrading Lottotech’s retail network with its latest RetailerPro S2 terminals, powered by the company’s cutting-edge OpenRetail platform.

“Extending Lottotech’s trusted relationship with Brightstar into its third decade through this latest contract underscores our shared commitment to long-term innovation and growth,” said Moorghen Veeramootoo, Lottotech Chief Executive Officer. “Enhancing our central system marks a significant milestone for Lottotech, enabling greater agility, flexibility, and disaster tolerance as we enhance the player and retailer experiences while positioning our business for continued success.”

“As Lottotech’s exclusive retail lottery technology partner since its inception, Brightstar has continuously pushed boundaries to revolutionize products that benefit and complement the expectations of today’s modern lottery,” shared Marco Tasso, Brightstar Chief Operating Officer International and Italy Operations. “We are excited to deliver our next-generation terminals and deploy our advanced central system to Lottotech, a natural next step in the evolution of Lottotech’s business critical operations.”

Engineered for speed and reliability, Brightstar’s Retailer Pro S2 is powered by a high-performance processor that ensures rapid transaction processing. Its ergonomic, modular design supports multiple player-facing displays and a broad range of peripherals enabling flexible and engaging player interactions.

Brightstar’s OpenRetail software is designed to streamline lottery operations with unmatched versatility and efficiency. Built on a single code line, updates and new features can be deployed easily across all point-of-sale devices.

Goa High Court blocks giant casino vessel from Mandovi River

Frank Schuengel
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Goa High Court blocks giant casino vessel from Mandovi River

On May 6th, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court issued an interim order barring the MV Deltin Royale, a 112-meter, seven-story casino vessel with a capacity of 2,000 passengers, from entering Panaji Port on the Mandovi River.

Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar ruled that the ship cannot sail into port without a valid certificate of survey confirming its seaworthiness, and that even if it obtains the necessary certifications, it must still seek the court’s express permission before doing so.

The vessel, owned by Delta Pleasure Cruise Company Limited, was intended to replace the aging MV Royale Flotel, a 70-passenger boat currently licensed to operate on the river. The size differential is not subtle. Petitioners from the civil society group Enough is Enough told the court that the new ship’s passenger capacity exceeds the combined total of all six offshore casino vessels currently moored on the Mandovi.

That particular point landed. So did the concerns raised by the captain and secretary of ports, who had flagged as early as 2021 that new vessels of this scale “may create further navigational hazards and create a bottleneck at mooring positions”, warnings that were on record before the NOC for the new ship was granted anyway.

The legal challenge also takes aim at the regulatory mechanics of the deal itself. Activists and counsel for the petitioners argue that the Goa Gambling Act contains no provision for the “replacement” of one vessel with another under the same licence, particularly where the size and capacity differ so dramatically. The state government, for its part, gave the court an assurance it would not amend the MV Royale Flotel’s licence in favour of the MV Deltin Royale without first informing the bench. A follow-up hearing has been scheduled for July 6th.

The timing has an added layer. The next hearing falls after the monsoon season begins, meaning the ship – currently sitting at Mormugao Port – is not expected to enter the Mandovi before the rains clear. Petitioners have also filed a caveat before the Supreme Court of India, a precautionary move to ensure no ex-parte order can be obtained by the casino company at the apex level without first hearing their objections.

For Goa’s offshore gaming sector, the ruling is a setback with broader implications. The state is one of only three Indian jurisdictions where gambling is legal, and its six floating casinos have long occupied an uncomfortable space between major revenue contributor and persistent environmental controversy.

The government earned INR6,03 billion ($72 million) from casinos in the 2023-24 financial year – a figure that fell back to INR4.6 billion ($55 million) the following year. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said as recently as March that the government has no plans to issue licenses for new offshore casinos, a position this ruling does nothing to contradict. For now, the Mandovi stays as it is.

GKL 1Q26 net profit falls 6.3% to $10.1M

Viviana Chan
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GKL 1Q26 net profit falls 6.3% to $10.1M

Grand Korea Leisure Inc. (GKL), the South Korean operator of foreigner-only casinos under the Seven Luck brand, reported a 6.3 percent year-on-year decline in first-quarter net profit, according to a filing released Wednesday.

Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent company totaled KRW15.09 billion ($10.1 million) for the three months ended March 31st, 2026, compared with KRW16.11 billion ($10.8 million) a year earlier.

Operating income for the quarter fell 10 percent year-on-year to KRW18.15 billion ($12.2 million), while sales increased 0.7 percent to KRW110.65 billion ($74.3 million).

GKL also reported net income from continuing operations before income tax of KRW19.34 billion ($13.0 million), down 8.9 percent from KRW21.22 billion ($14.2 million) in the prior-year period.

Compared with the previous quarter, the company returned to profitability. Operating income reversed from a loss of KRW801 million ($538,000) in the fourth quarter of 2025, while net income swung from a loss of KRW660 million ($443,000).

GKL operates three foreigner-only casinos in South Korea under the Seven Luck brand.

GEG appoints Jaime Sze, Robert Drake after Yip and Mecca retire

AGBrief Editorial
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GEG appoints Jaime Sze, Robert Drake after Yip and Mecca retire

Galaxy Entertainment Group said William Yip Shue Lam and Michael Victor Mecca resigned as independent non-executive directors with effect from May 13th, 2026, due to retirement, while the company also appointed Jaime Sze Wine Him as a new independent non-executive director.

The Macau casino operator said Yip would also cease serving as a member of the Audit Committee and chairman of both the Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee upon his resignation, taking effect.

GEG said both outgoing directors confirmed they had no disagreement with the board and that there were no matters relating to their resignations requiring the attention of shareholders or The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

‘The Board would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Yip and Mr. Mecca for their valuable contributions to GEG during their tenure as independent non-executive Directors of GEG,’ the company said.

Mr. Sze, aged 51, was appointed as an independent non-executive director and member of the Nomination Committee effective May 13th, 2026. GEG described him as having extensive experience in the investment industry. He is currently the investment director of Hang Tung Resources Holding Limited and a non-executive director of Hong Kong-listed Prosperous Future Holdings Limited.

The company also announced the appointment of Robert Charles Drake as a non-executive director effective the same date.

Betable Group debuts Newshore to streamline unified payments

AGBrief Editorial
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Betable Group debuts Newshore to streamline unified payments

Betable Group has announced the launch of Newshore, a new payment processing platform designed to simplify and streamline operator payment infrastructure.

Newshore is part of Betable Group, which offers a range of platform solutions to iGaming and fintech operators.

Once connected to Newshore, iGaming operators can accept payments via credit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets through a single, easy-to-use tool, without the need to set up multiple accounts or work with different services.

Led by Operations Director Chris Prentice and Product Manager Jonathan Luke, the new platform addresses longstanding operator pain points around fragmented integrations, operational complexity and rising processing costs.

Chris Prentice has previously served as UK General Manager at Grace Gaming, while Luke brings six years of experience working on digital fraud and risk at Rank Interactive and Lloyds.

Chris Prentice, Operations Director at Newshore

Commenting on the platform launch, Chris Prentice, Operations Director at Newshore, said: “We spoke extensively with iGaming operators and the message was consistent. Payments have become too complex, with too many integrations and too much operational friction. Newshore was built to change that. Our platform gives merchants a single, streamlined connection to the payment ecosystem, removing the burden of managing multiple providers while improving efficiency and cost control. It’s about making payments infrastructure simpler, more flexible and ready for global growth.”

Newshore is designed to provide merchants with a comprehensive and flexible payment ecosystem, allowing businesses to easily connect to a wide array of payment providers and methods. By consolidating integrations and simplifying operations, the company helps operators enhance payment performance and expand internationally with greater ease.

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