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Lawrence Ho’s Black Spade Capital invests in the real estate group IFCX

Black Spade Capital, the family office of Macau casino operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s chairman Lawrence Ho Yau-lung has invested in IFCX, an international real estate brokerage holding company based in Asia.

The real estate group announced that its investment will drive over $5 billion in Asian real estate across the Middle East, Vietnam, and Thailand over the next five years, without disclosing the exact amount.

IFCX underlined that the collaboration with Black Spade Capital is designed to enhance the company’s capabilities in the global real estate market.

The partnership aims to expand IFCX’s integrated platform, which includes Asia Bankers Club, a B2C investor consultancy, Knightsbridge Partners, a B2B master agency network, and Easy Pro, a property aftersales solution.

The investment will also facilitate advancements in proptech AI, focusing on developing platforms for digital transactions, predictive market analytics, and investor engagement tools.

Kingston Lai, Founder and CEO of IFCX, stated, that “the Middle East, Vietnam, and Thailand represent significant opportunities for our partnership”.

“With Black Spade’s backing, we aim to expand our operations and improve how real estate transactions are conducted globally”, Lai noted.

Since its establishment in 2014, IFCX has connected Asian investors with global real estate opportunities, partnering with developers in markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, and the UK, and more recently in the Middle East.

Last year Black Spade Capital Limited also sponsored Black Spade Acquisition II Co, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which raised $150 million in its initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq.

The company plans to use these funds to acquire businesses in the entertainment, lifestyle, and technology industries, particularly those related to artificial intelligence.

In February of this year Black Spade also announced that its subsidiary, S Experience, had signed a memorandum with Kingsmen Xperience, “to develop location-based branded attractions in Asia Pacific,” with an initial focus “on Macau, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.” 

Thailand Deputy Minister backs casino development amid concerns of “grey” economy

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Thailand’s Deputy Finance Minister, Julapan Amornvivat, has strongly defended the government’s plan to create integrated entertainment complexes, addressing fears that this initiative might associate the nation with a “grey” economy.

Julapan highlighted the success of legalized casinos in countries like the United States and Singapore, questioning whether they also face similar scrutiny, The Nation reported. He pointed out that the existing illegal gambling scene poses a greater risk to the country’s image than regulated casinos.

Despite criticism, the government remains committed to the Entertainment Complex project, which has been in discussion for decades. Following Cabinet approval, the draft legislation is now moving through parliamentary channels.

The government anticipates this project will significantly boost Thailand’s economy, attracting over THB100 billion ($3 billion) in investment. If approved, a dedicated regulatory body will be established within a year, with construction expected to begin within three years.

The proposed legislation includes comprehensive regulations covering financial controls, social safeguards, and preventive measures against gambling addiction.

The legislation received in-principle approval on January 13th and aims to legalize casinos and other gambling forms through integrated resorts. Under the proposed framework, casinos would be required to operate through Thai-registered corporations, with amendments restricting Thai citizen entry to individuals possessing at least THB50 million ($1.5 million).

Amongst the many interested parties, the Thai government recently held discussions with executives from Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts regarding potential investment in entertainment complexes.

As reported by AGB previously, Prommin Lertsuridej, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, disclosed that six to seven major international investors have already expressed interest in developing full-service entertainment complexes in Thailand. 

Hong Kong completes public hearing on legalizing basketball betting

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The Hong Kong government has concluded a public consultation on the regulation of basketball betting, with authorities now analyzing public feedback to determine the next steps.

The consultation period ended on May 2nd, and legislation is expected to be aligned with the Legislative Council’s 2026/27 session timetable.

The SAR’s Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak, said the government is “compiling and reviewing the views collected” and emphasized that the legislative amendment process will follow the council’s schedule.

Mak addressed concerns regarding the regulation of basketball betting, particularly in light of rising football betting figures in recent years. “If the government does not provide a regulated avenue, illegal gambling may become even more rampant,” she said. “While the government does not encourage gambling, the widespread nature of illegal activities calls for a multifaceted response.”

According to the consultation document released by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the government believes that providing a legal betting channel can reduce illegal gambling, protect consumer rights, and mitigate crime risks.

Citing data from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), the government noted that illegal basketball betting has surged to become one of the city’s most popular sports betting activities. In 2023, an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people engaged in illegal basketball betting, with a turnover of HK$32 billion to HK$34 billion ($4.1 billion to $4.4 billion). In 2024, that number rose sharply to approximately 430,000 bettors, generating an estimated HK$70 billion to HK$90 billion ($9 billion to $11.5 billion) in illegal wagers.

Furthermore, HKJC’s research conducted by Oxford Economics indicated that 49 percent of illegal basketball bettors would consider switching to legal platforms if basketball betting were authorized under HKJC.

Kangwon Land gains approval to triple betting limits on Blackjack, Hold’em tables

Kangwon Land, South Korea’s only casino accessible to local residents, has received government approval to significantly increase betting limits for mass gaming tables, marking another move in its broader strategy to enhance revenue and diversify table offerings.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially accepted Kangwon Land’s proposed shifts to its casino business operations on May 20th, 2025.

The changes include an increase in maximum bets on two Blackjack tables and two Texas Hold’em Poker tables, from KRW100,000 ($71.9) to KRW300,000 ($215.7). The new limits for Blackjack will take effect on May 21st, while the revised poker limits are scheduled for implementation in early June.

This regulatory green light follows a similar approval less than a week ago, in which Kangwon Land was allowed to dramatically raise betting thresholds on two VIP baccarat tables. The minimum bet was raised from KRW50,000 ($35.9) to KRW500,000 ($359.5), and the maximum differential between “banker” and “player” bets soared from KRW2 million ($1,438) to KRW30 million ($21,570).

The latest move signals a shift toward higher-yield table configurations as the property looks to optimize its gaming floor mix and better cater to higher-stakes customers.

These changes come amid continued efforts by Kangwon Land to revitalize its gaming operations following post-pandemic recovery trends and growing domestic demand.

TCSJOHNHUXLEY showcases cutting-edge live gaming solutions at G2E Asia 2025

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Global live gaming leader TCSJOHNHUXLEY successfully showcased its latest advancements and comprehensive product portfolio at G2E Asia 2025, which took place from May 7th to 9th.

The company’s booth at the Venetian Macao drew significant attention from attendees keen to experience their state-of-the-art solutions and renowned quality. 

“The feedback from the market here has been fantastic,” said Rebecca Kingswell, Global Head of Operations and Managing Director APAC, TCSJOHNHUXLEY. “It was a pleasure to present both our newest innovations and our trusted product range at G2E Asia, underscoring our unwavering commitment to providing the Asian gaming market with the most advanced and reliable live gaming solutions.” 

A key highlight was the revolutionary Velocity Auto Wheel, which generated considerable buzz for its cutting-edge automation and seamless compatibility with the Wheelmate console.

Demonstrations underscored its potential to set a new industry standard for speed and efficiency, empowering operators to significantly increase table turnover and revenue through more games per hour. Attendees were impressed by its innovative brushless DC motors and gearless design, ensuring continuous, reliable operation without the need for bulky air compressors, and its compact design’s adaptability to various casino layouts. 

Chipper-3-TCSJOHNHUXLEY-G2E ASIA 2025
Chipper Champ 3

Taking centre stage alongside was the Chipper Champ 3, the next generation of chip sorting efficiency. Its unique capability to handle clay chips, coupled with increased speed and accuracy, was a major draw. Operators recognised the potential of this advanced technology to significantly reduce handling time and streamline overall table operations. 

Adding to the visual appeal was the company’s advanced display technologies. The versatile Ora Table Displays captured attention with their clarity, customisation options, and reliable delivery of crucial game information. A particular highlight was the launch and demonstration of the groundbreaking Ora Blackjack Vue Display Controller.

Seamlessly integrated with the Ora Luxe Winning Number Display, this innovative product utilises advanced camera technology for automatic card recognition, providing players with real time data such as dealer hand history, live dealer odds, historical stats, and the last four dealer Blackjacks. This innovation was recognised as a significant advancement in player engagement and Blackjack technology. 

TCSJOHNHUXLEY also provided compelling demonstrations of its T-Connect casino management system, a vital tool already trusted by numerous casinos across Asia. The system’s ability to streamline operations, enhance security, and provide invaluable data insights resonated strongly with operators seeking to optimise their gaming floors. 

The popular Blaze Gaming tables, particularly the Sic Bo variant, effectively showcased how dynamic LED surface technology can enhance the excitement of traditional games, creating a more engaging and visually appealing experience for players. 

Beyond these innovations, TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s commitment to manufacturing excellence was evident through the showcase of its world-class core product range. From the precision of their Roulette wheels and the craftsmanship of their Gaming Tables to the reliability of their Dice Shakers, visitors could clearly see the superior quality that defines TCSJOHNHUXLEY products.

The successful participation at G2E Asia 2025 reinforces TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s position as a premier provider of live gaming solutions, dedicated to driving growth and enhancing player satisfaction for its partners across the region. 

Continent 8 secures approval to deploy next-gen AWS Outposts

Continent 8 Technologies, a global leader in cloud hosting and cybersecurity for iGaming and online sports betting, has announced enhanced AWS support to streamline the deployment and management of next-generation AWS Outposts racks, ensuring secure, ultra-low-latency hybrid cloud infrastructures.

The second-generation AWS Outposts, announced at the end of April 2025, offer significant performance enhancements over their predecessors, including faster processing, higher memory capacity and increased network bandwidth for on-premises workloads.

  • Managed AWS Outposts service provides comprehensive procurement, logistics, workload migration and ongoing management of AWS Outposts, coupled with unrivalled connectivity and seamless access to all AWS Direct Connect (DX) on-ramp locations. This service allows betting and gaming operators and suppliers to focus on value-added, core revenue-generating activities. 
  • Managed Hybrid Network service facilitates seamless integration between on-premises infrastructures and AWS Regions, offering the most secure, resilient, hybrid cloud connectivity, bypassing the public internet via a private multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network.

Continent 8 has extensive experience with AWS Outposts, having provided comprehensive support to operators and suppliers with the initial generation of rack platforms. Today, Continent 8 is responsible for over 90% of AWS Outposts deployments within the regulated betting and gaming industry.

Justin Cosnett, Chief Product Officer at Continent 8, stated, “Our strategic partnership with AWS, along with our deep experience with the first-generation AWS Outposts technology, enables us to provide the requisite expertise for delivering seamless AWS experiences. With the launch of the latest generation of AWS Outposts, we are well-positioned to manage the betting and gaming industry’s ‘business as usual’, day-to-day operations and IT infrastructure needs, allowing customers to swiftly benefit from the platform’s latency and performance enhancements for their most demanding gaming projects.”

As an AWS Solution Provider, Continent 8 also offers managed services, including Managed AWS Outposts and Managed Hybrid Networking, available via the AWS Marketplace. Continent 8 is a Gold sponsor of the AWS Community Day Malta on 30 May and will be running a session on ‘Future-ready cloud solutions: winning in regulated markets’. Contact [email protected] to arrange a meeting at the event.

EvenBet Gaming launches Cash Drop to enhance engagement & acquisition

EvenBet Gaming, a leading developer of online gaming software and solutions, has released its fully customisable promotional tool, Cash Drop, engineered to drive user acquisition and poker room activity.

When activated at a table, the Cash Drop feature boosts the prize pot by a random value after a predetermined number of hands have been played, offering greater win potential to supplement standard blinds and bets made by players.

Operators can tailor the solution to align with their commercial goals, with options to select the Cash Drop value and frequency ranges – for example, between $1-15 every 5-10 hands.

The customisation options available for the tool make it stand out in the poker market, enabling operators to stimulate user activity at specific tables with the appeal of bigger prize pots, resulting in increased rake. 

The Cash Drop feature is the latest addition to EvenBet’s suite of promotional tools, developed to diversify operator revenue streams and elevate the player experience. The poker provider will debut the product at the upcoming SiGMA Asia Summit in Manila from 1-4 June at Stand 2123.

Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming, said: “We are committed to amplifying user engagement with cutting-edge solutions, with Cash Drop bolstering a portfolio already comprising features such as Bomb Pot, Card Squeeze, and Tips for Dealers.”

“This new release will further upgrade the online poker experience with increased prize pots for players, in turn, maximising user activity for operators. Cash Drop is among the first fully customisable solutions of its kind to hit the market, highlighting our drive to provide operators with complete poker room flexibility.”

TaDa Gaming joins sponsor ranks for Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2025

TaDa Gaming has officially joined the Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2025 as a sponsor, supporting the Most Innovative Business category with a 10,000 FTN prize pool.

This sponsorship reflects their strong commitment to fresh ideas and ongoing progress in the iGaming industry.

Harmony Meetup 7 feat. Fasttoken and Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2025

The awards will take place during Harmony Meetup 7, featuring Fasttoken and the Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards, from 8 to 11 July 2025 in Yerevan, Armenia. Submissions are now officially open for the prestigious Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2025, set to take center stage at Harmony Meetup 7.

This year’s event will spotlight 21 award categories, exclusive sponsorship opportunities, substantial prize pools, and a vibrant celebration of the brightest minds across iGaming, NFTs, and digital innovation.

At the heart of the event will be the presentation of FTN’s 7 dimensions, a visionary concept that showcases how Fasttoken is set to shape the future of the digital world. From decentralised technologies and immersive virtual experiences to financial empowerment and creative freedom, these dimensions reflect the vast potential of the FTN ecosystem.

The Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2025 will honour exceptional achievements in NFT collections, game design, business innovation, and virtual experiences. It’s a must-attend event for forward-thinking creators, operators, and tech leaders aiming to make their mark in the digital space.

Whether attending to compete, connect, or collaborate, the Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards ’25 offers a unique platform to place your brand at the forefront of digital transformation.

Games Global launches Gold Blitz Ultimate across the US in an exclusive partnership with BetMGM

Games Global has officially announced the exclusive U.S. launch of Gold Blitz Ultimate, the third instalment in the globally successful Gold Blitz franchise, available first to BetMGM’s players exclusively in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey.

The exclusive release follows a period of sustained success in the market for both the original, Gold Blitz™, and the sequel, Gold Blitz Extreme™, with the latest addition to the franchise set to elevate the player experience to new heights with more ways to win and an enhanced bonus round.

The release marks the latest milestone in the growing partnership between Games Global and BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator. Games Global recently developed a portfolio of bespoke live casino titles exclusively for BetMGM, further strengthening their collaboration.

After the two-month exclusivity period with BetMGM, Games Global will begin the rollout of Gold Blitz Ultimate™ to its extensive network of U.S. operators as the supplier continues to scale its footprint in the market.

Walter Bugno, Chief Executive Officer at Games Global, said: “The relationship between Games Global and BetMGM has gone from strength to strength, and this exclusive game release solidifies that symbiotic partnership. The Gold Blitz™ franchise is one of our biggest commercial successes across the entire globe, and following the impressive performance metrics of the first two titles in the States, we have no doubt Gold Blitz Ultimate™ will continue to raise the bar.”

Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming Product & Content at BetMGM, added: “BetMGM is proud to partner with Games Global and offer premium content like Gold Blitz Ultimate™ to our players exclusively at our online casino. The Gold Blitz™ franchise is one of the most popular franchises in iGaming, and the latest slot release will continue to captivate players.”

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: The old and the new: what’s compelling for Aristocrat?

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Good Morning. Never “rest on your laurels”. The quantity of reinvestment in research and development can be directly proportional to success. Sometimes it also cannot. But when you strike gold, you – obviously – hit it rich. Aristocrat has been perfecting that for decades, and appears to be in its prime in Asia now. Looking to Macau, ingots are on the table, with May GGR vying for a top spot on this year’s leader board, boosted by May Golden Week. And further abroad, yet another white label provider has pulled out of the UK  gambling market, leaving questions for betting brands and Premier League partners.

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