Las Vegas Sands (LVS) has again marked a momentous occasion, breaking ground in its new $8 billion ‘ultra-luxurious resort and entertainment destination in Singapore’.
Speaking at the ceremony, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong noted that “I’m glad that this partnership has flourished, and even happier that we are now taking it to the next level”.
The Marina Bay Sandsexpansion project includes a 55-storey, 570-suite hotel tower, complete with dining, luxury retail, gaming and spa and wellness amenities. A key feature is the 76,000-square foot Skyloop podium – with an observatory, F&B and rooftop gardens, alongside infinity pools and cabanas. The property is also scheduled to feature a 15,000-seat arena.
Speaking at the event, LVS Chairman Rob Golstein noted that “It’s its own creation, its own venture, and something far different than what Marina Bay Sands has become”.
The expansion project is scheduled for competition in 2030, aiming to further cement LVS’ imprint on the tourism skyline of the Merlion city.
New Zealand’s controversial Online Casino Gambling Bill has passed its first reading in the nation’s Parliament, with strong support from politicians.
According to reports, the bill passed with 83 votes in favor verses 39 against.
According to Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, who introduced the bill, “The most important part of this bill is protecting New Zealanders who enjoy gambling online by introducing robust safety measures for licensed operators,” as quoted by media.
The official furthered that “The bill will now proceed to select committee, and I would encourage interested New Zealanders to have their say when public submissions open”.
Politicians voting in favor indicated that the bill is a step forwards in reducing gambling harm due to the unregulated nature of the segment so far, with hopes that the subsequent feedback from interest groups and the public will help shape the legislation into its best form.
The bill in its current form would grant up to 15 online licenses via auction, each subject to a three-year period. It also lays out strict criteria regarding the age of gamblers – set at a minimum of 18, with harsh fines applied to any company not in compliance.
The auction period is expected to commence next year, with potential bidders in June called to register.
Yggdrasil has expanded its presence in regulated markets through a partnership with BetArabia, Lebanon’s sole licensed online casino.
The deal gives customers of BetArabia access to Yggdrasil’s vast slot offering, which combines engaging mechanics with iconic franchises such as the Vikings and Golden Fish Tank series. In addition, Yggdrasil will provide a full array of third-party content from its YGG Masters studio partners, which includes proprietary titles from 13 boutique providers.
BetArabia is the online arm of Casino Du Liban, occupying a monopoly in the country after being granted a license by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance in 2022, covering both sports betting and iGaming.
The partnership with BetArabia becomes the latest commercial deal signed by Yggdrasil in recent weeks, after similar agreements that have seen the provider expand its global reach.
Jose Kadala, Commercial Director at Yggdrasil, said: “This collaboration marks an exciting step for us as we enter the Lebanese market for the first time. Our product suite has been proven to resonate with players all over the world, and the MENA is an exciting, growing region where we are confident that our games will make an impact.”
Olga Degtiareva, Client Success Manager at Yggdrasil, said: “As the first and only licensed operator in the market, BetArabia hosts many of the nation’s most successful games, and we believe our engaging and innovative titles alongside timeless classics will elevate the casino’s offering even further. I’m excited to be part of this partnership and the journey ahead in the MENA market.”
Tigran Geghamyan, Chief Operational Officer at BetArabia, added: “This partnership is more than just content integration, it’s a strategic move to elevate the entire online gaming experience in the Middle East. By combining Yggdrasil’s world-class games with Betarabia’s deep regional insight and commitment to premium service, we’re bringing something truly unique to players across the region. This is a new standard, and we are proud to lead it. A huge thank you to our brilliant teams and to Yggdrasil for making this possible. This is just the beginning; the future looks thrilling.”
Altenar, a renowned sportsbook and iGaming software provider, announced that it has agreed to sponsor the 2025 Isle of Man Marathon and Half Marathon for another three years, taking its commitment up to 2027.
This year’s edition of the popular event will take place on 10th August and will mark the third year of the provider’s sponsorship deal, which forms part of its broader strategy to invest in the Isle of Man community.
At the heart of the action, Altenar’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) John Quaye will once again take to the undulating course, reinforcing the provider’s dedication to hands-on local engagement. This year, participants will also receive newly designed medals, t-shirts, and trophies, while extra medals will be awarded to winners of the Isle of Man Marathon Championships.
Fundamental to Altenar’s strategy is forging successful ties with Isle of Man locals and finding proactive ways to reinforce its affinity with the area. As part of its wider CSR goals, Altenar has also signed a new deal to sponsor the island’s Gran Fondo cycling race, further expanding its presence in the sporting scene.
John Quaye, CFO at Altenar, said: “We are delighted to support the Isle of Man Marathon and Half Marathon for a third year. It has been such a rewarding journey, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a meaningful local tradition. We are also pleased to announce that Altenar will remain the official sponsor for another two years at least. Being able to actively support our community and engage in events like this is something we take great pride in at Altenar.”
Habanero, a premium slots and table game provider, continues expanding and diversifying its portfolio this time with the release of Mummy Hunter, an action-packedslot with maximum win potential of up to 37,295x the bet.
Set on a 5×3 grid with 25 paylines, Mummy Hunter transports players to a realm of ancient pyramids and slumbering mummies, where hidden fortunes await discovery.
Cursed pharaohs, sealed tombs, and long-lost pyramids stand between brave adventurers and the secrets buried within. Scatter symbols can trigger up to 50 free games, where any multipliers earned stay active between spins.
Mummy Hunter is an exciting addition to Habanero’s extensive portfolio. Following the success of Daruma Impact and MX Mania, Habanero continues to explore diverse themes across its games.
Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero, commented: “We are thrilled to Mummy Hunter to our ever-growing portfolio, demonstrating our ability to deliver a diverse range of games quickly and effectively, while retaining the excitement and thrill that characterises our slots. We are confident that Mummy Hunter will capture the attention of players with its huge max win potential, clean visuals, and immersive gameplay.”
EvenBet Gaming, a leading provider of online poker software and solutions, has unveiled its latest resource for gaming operators—the Online Poker Room: Complete Marketing Guide.
The comprehensive eBook provides proven, data-backed strategies to help operators navigate the complex poker vertical, acquire new players, and boost long-term retention to ensure stable and scalable revenue streams.
Developed by EvenBet’s executive team, CEO Dmitry Starostenkov, Chief Customer Success Officer Ekaterina Nebogina, and Head of Product Marketing Julia Panina, the Online Poker Room: Complete Marketing Guide is created and designed by the company’s extensive global experience supporting poker operations across more than 40 markets.
These include territories facing challenges such as high player acquisition costs, complex payment infrastructures, and increasing competition.
The guide covers the full spectrum of tools needed to maintain a loyal player base, from advanced segmentation and tournament strategies to effective bonus mechanics and feature integrations like jackpots, dealer tips and cash drops.
It explains how segmentation can be used to tailor messaging and promotions to distinct player types, ensuring that operators can create more personalised and effective campaigns. Tournaments and bonuses are included in the contents, explaining how they can be strategically deployed to serve as powerful tools, especially when linked with live events or real-time incentives.
Operators will also find insights on fostering community through club features, which can increase player loyalty and promote social engagement within the poker environment.
More importantly, the e-book also outlines poker’s ability to drive cross-selling to other verticals, revealing that operators can convert up to 20% of poker players into sportsbook users, and up to 15% into casino players.
Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming
Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming, said: “Poker is unlike any other vertical in the iGaming space; it’s deeply social, requires skill, and has tremendous value for cross-promotion. Operators often underestimate what is required to market it effectively, which is why we have created this guide, compiling years of global experience into one actionable playbook for teams aiming to elevate their poker offering.”
EvenBet’s latest marketing guide reaffirms the provider’s unwavering dedication to delivering genuine insight into industry matters, equipping both operators and suppliers with the necessary data to forge their future commercial strategies.
South Korean integrated resort operatorShin Hwa World Limited announced the successful completion of its share placement under a general mandate, raising approximately HK$35.4 million ($4.5 million) in net proceeds.
According to the company, a total of 304.29 million new shares were placed to at least six independent investors at a price of HK$0.118 ($0.015) per share. The placement was completed on July 15th, following the fulfillment of all conditions under the placing agreement signed last month.
Shin Hwa World operates Jeju Shinhwa World, including the Landing Casino.
Jeju Shinhwa World
The new shares represent around 20 percent of Shin Hwa World’s issued share capital prior to the placement and approximately 16.67 percent of the enlarged share capital post-placement. The company said all investors are third parties independent of Shin Hwa World and its connected persons, with none of the investors having become a substantial shareholder as a result of the transaction.
The net proceeds from the placement, after deducting commissions and related expenses, are expected to amount to approximately HK$35.4 million ($4.5 million).
Shin Hwa World plans to allocate HK$13 million ($1.65 million) of this amount to cover bank interest expenses. Around HK$6 million ($750K) will be used to upgrade its information systems and other operational technologies.
The company will spend approximately HK$5 million ($625K) on sales and marketing efforts, including gaming tournaments and advertising campaigns. The remaining HK$11.4 million ($1.4 million) will go towards general operating expenses such as staff salaries, supplies, equipment, and professional service fees.
The company expects to fully utilize the proceeds by the end of September 2025. Following the issuance of the new shares, the company’s total issued share capital increased from approximately 1.52 billion to 1.83 billion shares.
Key shareholders after the changes now include Pauline Lam, who holds about 14.97 percent of the company’s shares through Wealth Millennium Limited and direct ownership; Zhang Tingting, who owns 13.89 percent via Resplendence Investment Development Limited; while new investors collectively hold 16.67 percent, with other public shareholders now accounting for 54.48 percent, down from 65.37 percent.
Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment arm, has taken another big step in its North American expansion by going live in Pennsylvania with Rush Street Interactive (RSI), a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States and the rest of the Americas, via its BetRivers platform.
The launch marks an extension of the strong, multi-state partnership between the two companies, building on their existing collaboration in Michigan, New Jersey, Ontario, and, more recently, Delaware.
A wide range of Greentube’s fan favourite titles are now available to BetRivers players in Pennsylvania, including Diamond Cash™ Mighty Sevens, Thunder Cash™ Voodoo Magic and A Fistful of Wilds.
As part of the initial rollout, Diamond Cash™ Mighty Elephant will be introduced exclusively on BetRivers a week after launch, giving players a sneak peek at the popular slot before it becomes available more widely across the region.
Players can also expect Charming Lady’s Boom, Greentube’s number one performing title in the US market, to launch exclusively on BetRivers in Pennsylvania once certification is complete, further enriching the operator’s unique content offering.
Patryk Igras, Sales & Key Account Manager at Greentube
Patryk Igras, Sales & Key Account Manager at Greentube, said: “Expanding our successful collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Pennsylvania is an exciting development for both companies. RSI has been a fantastic partner for us in Michigan, New Jersey, Ontario and Delaware, and we’re delighted to now bring our proven content to even more players through BetRivers. The exclusive launch of Diamond Cash™ Mighty Elephant and the upcoming Charming Lady’s Boom rollout are just the beginning of what we have planned for this market.”
Richard Schwartz, CEO at Rush Street Interactive, added: “We’re thrilled to deepen our relationship with Greentube as we expand our offering in Pennsylvania. Their games consistently perform well with our players in other markets, and we’re confident Pennsylvania will be no different. Providing exclusive access to highly anticipated titles like Diamond Cash™ Mighty Elephant is just one of the ways we continue to differentiate the BetRivers experience.”
Macau gaming operator MGM China Holdings has reportedly filed a lawsuit in Hong Kong’s District Court against Hong Kong actor Jacky Heung, seeking repayment of a gambling debt of HK$1.4 million ($180,000), along with accrued interest, stemming from a loan issued at the company’s Macau casino operations.
Hong Kong actor Jacky Heung
According to court documents, Heung borrowed HK$2 million ($258,000) on December 1st, 2024, in exchange for gaming chips, with the agreement that the full amount be repaid the same day. After partial repayments, MGM alleges that a balance of HK$1.4 million remains outstanding. The loan carries an 18 percent annual interest rate from the borrowing date until full settlement.
The lawsuit names MGM China Holdings Limited as the plaintiff and Jacky Heung as the defendant. Court filings indicate that, after deducting the remaining funds in Heung’s casino account, MGM is now pursuing legal action to recover the unpaid sum.
Jacky Heung is the son of Charles Heung, chairman of China Star Entertainment Group, who is also well known as a movie star and film investor. The elder Heung has long-standing connections to Macau’s gambling industry, reportedly holding the largest stake in junket operator Dore about a decade ago. At the time, Dore—which operated three VIP gaming rooms in Wynn Macau—was rocked by scandal when an employee allegedly stole funds intended for issuing new credit lines to high rollers. In 2015, the company reported a loss of more than HK$500 million ($64.5 million), prompting investor protests and investigations.
Charles Heung also has investments in Macau’s hospitality sector, including the Lan Kwai Fong Hotel in Macau. The 18-story property, located in NAPE, next to Waldo Casino, was sold in 2017 by China Star for HK$2 billion ($258 million) to businessman Chan Meng Kam, the head of the Golden Dragon Group. However, the casinos of Lan Kwai Fong Hotel, along with other satellite casinos under the Golden Dragon Group, have since shuttered amid revisions to Macau’s gaming law.
Macau’s gaming industry is expected to record a second consecutive month of relatively strong growth in gross gaming revenue (GGR), with July likely to post a year-on-year increase of 12 to 18 percent, according to a recent investment memo from HSBC.
Analysts Charlene Liu and Lauren Cai of HSBC reported that GGR reached MOP9.05 billion ($1.13 billion) in the first 13 days of July. The month-to-date average daily run rate (ADR) stood at MOP696 million ($87 million), just 1 percent lower than the full-month average recorded in June, and 17 percent higher than the same period in 2024.
Despite a minor week-on-week decline in the past seven days—down 5 percent to MOP678 million ($85 million)—the overall momentum in July remains solid. The short-term dip was partially attributed to a lower VIP win rate, which dropped slightly to 3.2 to 3.4 percent from 3.3 to 3.5 percent in the prior week. HSBC also pointed to a normalization of demand following three weekends of Jacky Cheung concerts, which had temporarily boosted visitation and gaming volumes.
If the remainder of the month tracks an ADR between MOP650 million ($81 million) and MOP720 million ($90 million), HSBC estimates that full-month GGR will reach between MOP20.8 billion ($2.60 billion) and MOP22 billion ($2.75 billion). This would represent a 12 to 18 percent increase compared to July 2024, following the 19 percent year-on-year gain recorded in June.
On a segment basis, mass gaming ADR showed a modest improvement of up to 3 percent month-on-month, compared to a 2 to 4 percent increase in the previous week. VIP volume remained largely stable on a monthly basis, reinforcing the current trend of mass-led growth in Macau’s gaming recovery.
Crackdown on illegal money exchange shows muted impact
HSBC analysts continue to monitor developments on the regulatory front, particularly the Macau government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal money exchange activities. On July 11th, local authorities disclosed that gaming-related crime cases surged by 63 percent year-on-year in the first five months of 2025. The increase was attributed to enhanced enforcement efforts targeting unauthorized currency exchange services, which have been deemed a criminal offense under the Law to Combat Gambling Crimes since October 2024.
However, HSBC believes these regulatory efforts have not significantly disrupted gaming demand. ‘Recent improvement in GGR could suggest that ongoing crackdown may have a muted impact on demand, given that legal money exchange arrangements remain intact,’ wrote Liu and Cai in the memo.
Capella at Galaxy Macau
HSBC maintains bullish stance on key operators
Against this backdrop, HSBC reiterated its positive stance on key operators, maintaining a “Buy” rating on both Galaxy Entertainment Group and MGM China. The bank left its target prices unchanged, citing specific growth drivers for each company.
Galaxy is expected to attract high-end customers with the opening of its Capella Hotel and a robust lineup of events. HSBC believes the continued ramp-up of Galaxy’s Phase 3 development will contribute to market share gains, especially if overall market growth exceeds current expectations.
MGM China also remains one of HSBC’s top picks. The analysts highlighted the company’s potential for accelerated growth in the second half of 2025, supported by a low base of comparison and the addition of new capacity.
Overall, HSBC maintains a broadly optimistic view of Macau’s gaming sector, suggesting that the current recovery trajectory—driven primarily by mass gaming and stable visitation—could continue if external demand factors remain favorable and regulatory enforcement does not disrupt legitimate operations.
