PhilWeb Corporation has launched a refreshed corporate identity and redesigned corporate website as part of a brand update aimed at aligning its public image with its role as a technology-driven infrastructure provider for regulated digital industries.
The Philippine Stock Exchange-listed company announced the update in Manila on June 19th. The refresh includes a new visual identity built around the “PHIL” and “WEB” elements of the company’s name, as well as a redesigned website at www.philweb.com.ph.
PhilWeb said the “PHIL” element reflects its Philippine heritage and more than 2 decades of experience in regulated environments, while “WEB” adopts a cleaner and more contemporary design intended to represent connectivity and technology.
“Our refreshed identity represents a pivotal milestone in PhilWeb’s ongoing evolution,” said Brian Ng, president of PhilWeb Corporation.
Ng said the company is strengthening its platform capabilities, deepening strategic partnerships and improving stakeholder engagement.
The redesigned website provides access to information on PhilWeb’s core business, corporate governance, investor relations and operational updates. The company said the new identity and website will serve as the basis for its corporate communications, investor materials and digital properties.
Patrick Dumont, chairman of Sands China and chairman and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., has reported a higher deemed interest in LVS after his spouse received shares in the company, according to a Hong Kong Stock Exchange disclosure.
The filing shows that Dumont’s disclosed long position in LVS increased from 4.89 percent to 11.65 percent following the transfer.
The relevant event took place on June 17th and was disclosed on June 22nd. The filing states that the shares were ‘given’ and that the transfer took place off-exchange with no cash consideration.
The additional shares were disclosed as an interest of Dumont’s spouse, Annabelle Sivan Dumont. Under Hong Kong disclosure rules, directors may be deemed to hold interests in shares held by their spouse or minor children.
The filing relates to Dumont’s interest in Las Vegas Sands, Sands China’s parent company, and does not indicate a direct change in his Sands China shareholding.
Morgan Stanley has lowered its gross gaming revenue (GGR) forecast for Macau in 2026, citing decelerating growth and persistent downward pressure on industry estimates.
The investment bank now expects full-year 2026 GGR of approximately MOP260.6 billion ($32.3 billion), up from MOP247.40 billion in 2025.
The revised figure implies annual growth of around 5.3 percent, below both the bank’s earlier projection and broader market expectations of roughly 6 percent.
In a note led by analysts Praveen Choudhary and Stephen Grambling, the firm cautioned that the pace of recovery is likely to remain muted through the rest of the year. Its forecasts imply quarterly GGR growth of only 2 percent to 3 percent year-on-year through the fourth quarter of 2026.
Near-term volatility could be more pronounced. Morgan Stanley flagged that June and July may see slowdowns linked to the FIFA World Cup, potentially pushing growth into negative territory on a year-on-year basis.
The downgraded revenue outlook fed through to earnings expectations. The bank trimmed its 2026 sector EBITDA growth estimate to 1 percent from a prior 2 percent, reflecting slower top-line growth alongside ongoing cost pressures across operators. Total corporate EBITDA for Macau’s six concessionaires is now projected at just under $7.93 billion for the year.
Looking to the second quarter, Morgan Stanley estimates total Macau property EBITDA of just under $2.08 billion, a sequential decline of around 4.9 percent from roughly $2.19 billion in the prior quarter, with performance broadly flat year-on-year. The bank also expects market-share shifts, with Sands China’s share falling 2.6 percentage points to 23.6 percent and Melco Resorts down 0.8 points to 14.4 percent, while MGM China and Wynn Macau gain ground.
At the operator level, Morgan Stanley said its most significant downward adjustments were tied to Sands China and SJM Holdings, driven by weaker anticipated second-quarter performance. The bank expects negative EBITDA revisions to continue, citing lower GGR growth assumptions and a structurally higher cost base.
Macau welcomed nearly 3.5 million visitors in May 2026, a 3.4 percent year-on-year increase, according to data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).
The total of 3,487,994 arrivals was driven by same-day travelers, who climbed 7.9 percent to around 2.15 million. Overnight visitors fell 3.0 percent to about 1.34 million. The average length of stay edged down 0.1 day to 1.0 day, though overnight visitors continued to stay an average of 2.3 days.
Mainland China remained the largest source market, with arrivals up 4.2 percent to roughly 2.54 million. Travelers under the Individual Visit Scheme rose 5.2 percent to about 1.38 million. Visitors from Taiwan jumped 18.9 percent to 93,701, while arrivals from Hong Kong slipped 0.4 percent to 618,341.
International visitors totaled 277,408, a modest 0.8 percent gain. Among Southeast Asian markets, Thailand led growth with a 36.1 percent surge to 20,447, even as the Philippines and Indonesia declined 11.5 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively. Arrivals from India grew 3.5 percent to 15,293, while South Korea dropped 14.6 percent to 35,663. The United States posted a 10.5 percent rise to 12,426.
For the first five months of 2026, visitor arrivals climbed 11.1 percent year-on-year to more than 18.1 million. Same-day visitors surged 17.6 percent to about 11.25 million, while overnight visitors grew 2.0 percent to nearly 6.89 million. International arrivals over the period reached 1,244,042, up 8.7 percent. The cumulative average length of stay slipped 0.1 day to 1.0 day.
The Philippines-based integrated resort Okada Manila has earned dual Top 3 distinctions at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026, ranking among the Asia-Pacific Top 3 Best Integrated Resorts and the Philippines’ Top 2 Best City Hotels.
Chef Junji Nagaoka, Ginza Nagaoka at Okada Manila
The achievement reinforces Okada Manila’s standing as one of Asia Pacific’s premier integrated resort destinations, offering exceptional hospitality, dining, wellness, entertainment, retail, and gaming under one roof.
Its recognition in the Region-wide Best Integrated Resort category highlights the resort’s ability to bring together award-winning dining, wellness, entertainment, retail, gaming, and luxury accommodations within a single destination. Guests can stay, dine, unwind, shop, and celebrate—all within one integrated resort.
The resort’s more than 40 dining destinations, including the MICHELIN-selected Ginza Nagaoka, along with the Forbes Five-Star The Retreat Spa, signature entertainment, luxury retail, and premium gaming offerings continue to draw guests from the Philippines and around the world.
In the Philippines Best City Hotel category, Okada Manila was recognized for seamlessly combining luxury, accessibility, and attentive service in a vibrant urban setting. Located approximately 15 minutes from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the property offers spacious accommodations, exceptional amenities, and convenient access to acclaimed restaurants, its Forbes Five-Star spa, shopping destinations, and entertainment venues, making it an ideal choice for business and leisure travelers, families, and those celebrating life’s special occasions.
“This is a proud moment for Okada Manila and for Philippine hospitality,” said Sato Nobuki, President and Chief Operating Officer of Okada Manila. “These honors reflect the trust of our guests, the dedication of our team members, and our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences that stand among the finest in Asia Pacific.”
These distinctions reinforce Okada Manila’s position as one of the region’s leading integrated resort destinations, distinguished by its unique blend of Japanese excellence and Filipino warmth, where guests can experience this signature offering through personalized arrivals, intuitive service, thoughtfully curated dining, and memorable entertainment and celebration experiences.
The Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific recognizes the hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas, airlines, and travel experiences shaping the future of luxury travel across the region. The recognition adds to Okada Manila’s growing list of international achievements, including seven consecutive years of Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards.
Bangladesh has moved closer to overhauling its colonial-era gambling regime, with the cabinet granting in-principle approval to the draft Gambling Prevention Act, 2026.
According to state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the approval came at the cabinet’s 10th meeting on June 18th, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, with the bill tabled by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The legislation would repeal the Public Gambling Act, 1867, which authorities regard as inadequate for technology-driven betting.
The draft introduces definitions for online and remote gambling, digital platforms, digital wallets, totalisators, bookmakers, match-fixing and spot-fixing. Penalties would range from fines to imprisonment, or both, depending on the offence.
The measure follows Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed’s signal last month, previously reported by AGB, that the government intended to replace the outdated statute.
The push comes amid mounting concern over illegal online betting. Bangladesh Bank has ordered all 13 mobile financial service providers to halt gambling-linked transactions, while the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit previously suspended 21,725 related accounts.
The Dhaka Tribune also cited cybersecurity expert Arif Mohiuddin as saying that effective implementation of the law would be crucial, warning that online platforms could be used for money laundering.
The draft will now go to the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division for vetting before final approval. No timeline was given.
PopOK Gaming has secured game certification for Switzerland’s regulated market, marking a key milestone in its global expansion and enabling the company to deliver its premium online casino portfolio to licensed local operators.
The Swiss iGaming market is widely recognized as one of Europe’s most strictly regulated jurisdictions. Operating under the Swiss Federal Gambling Act (Geldspielgesetz), the market demands rigorous compliance regarding game fairness, security, and player protection. By passing the necessary evaluations, PopOK Gaming has demonstrated that its catalog adheres to these exceptional technical and regulatory standards.
With this certification, Swiss operators can now seamlessly integrate PopOK Gaming’s popular portfolio. The initial roll-out will feature a diverse selection of the provider’s top-performing titles, including high-volatility slots, unique artistic games, and instant games—all equipped with engaging mechanics, rich animations, and built-in gamification tools designed to drive retention.
As part of its broader commitment to regulated jurisdictions, PopOK Gaming continues to scale its European presence following successful integrations in multiple tier-one markets. The company is actively welcoming partnership inquiries from licensed Swiss operators looking to diversify their casino lobbies with innovative, certified content.
The Spanish-based gaming giant Zitro has announced that its Legendary Sword slot machine is set to make its Atlantic City debut at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
When playing the Legendary Sword slot, a guest can become a great knight and embark on a quest for honor and glory with the Magic Sword. “Honor” multiplies the rewards and “Glory” grants extra lives, while the Magic Sword can lead to a Mega or Grand Mega Jackpot and the spin of a giant wheel.
Our guests love the new Legendary Sword slots,” said David Polizzi, Hard Rock Atlantic City’s Vice President of Slot Operations. “We are pleased with the early performance of this new Zitro USA game at Hard Rock Atlantic City.”
“Zitro has been building momentum across the United States and launching Legendary Sword at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is a major milestone,” added Derik Mooberry, CEO of Zitro USA. “Atlantic City is a market we’ve been eager to enter, and Hard Rock Atlantic City is a fantastic property to launch with. The games are resonating with players, the reception has been great, and we look forward to a successful, long-term partnership.”
The New Jersey launch follows Zitro’s recent entry into Pennsylvania and is part of a broader strategy to establish the brand across key East Coast gaming jurisdictions. Additional market announcements are expected in the months ahead.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City features an award-winning gaming floor that offers 2,298 slots, including a private high-end slot salon, plus 128 table games of poker, blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, and more.
Set on 17 acres, with the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, the music-inspired casino resort features legendary entertainment, as well as award-winning restaurants, lounges, a nightlife experience, retail shops and other amenities.
With over 13 years’ experience delivering large-scale B2B exhibitions, Mallory joins from Clarion Events, where she led flagship UK shows across multiple cities. Her extensive background spans retail and consumer sectors, alongside earlier roles in PR and marketing, equipping her with strong expertise in brand development and stakeholder engagement.
Commenting on the appointment, Managing Director Stuart Hunter said Mallory’s leadership comes at a pivotal time, as iGB L!VE continues to strengthen its position as one of the gaming industry’s fastest-growing events.
Looking ahead to iGB L!VE ’26 he added: “A dynamic agenda of events including the iGB Affiliate Awards taking place at the Shard, the Summer Gala at The Savoy, the inaugural Africa Summit and the launch of the World Gaming M&A Summit all provide invaluable opportunities for Mallory to connect with the industry thought leaders and influencers who are such an important part of the iGB L!VE experience.”
Commenting on her new role, Mallory shared: “I’m incredibly excited to be working on two world-class events that impact so many businesses throughout the globe. Both iGB L!VE London and iGB Affiliate Barcelona have succeeded in setting new standards in terms of engagement and attendance. I am looking forward to working with the team as we focus on the programme of continuous improvement and in the process delivering an outstanding experience for our community of visitors and exhibitors drawn from throughout the world.”
Macau Peninsula hotels saw weaker occupancy during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, with some properties recording levels of about 80 percent as heavy rain affected travel demand, while increased room supply and competition from Zhuhai and Hengqin continued to weigh on the broader market.
Macau Hotel Association president Wong Suk Yan said hotels around local communities recorded lower occupancy than in the same period last year, according to local media outlet Macao Daily Times. However, she expects occupancy at some Macau Peninsula hotels to reach about 90 percent during the upcoming summer holiday season, supported by promotional offers aimed at encouraging longer visitor stays.
Wong said the local hotel market has been affected by the opening of several new hotels, which has continued to expand room supply. At the same time, changing visitor travel patterns have led more tourists to choose hotels in Zhuhai and Hengqin, diverting some demand away from Macau.
Hotels in areas such as NAPE and the old districts of the Macau Peninsula have been more affected. Wong said occupancy in these areas stood at about 80 percent in the first half of the year, while room rates fell by 5 percent to 6 percent year-on-year. Higher-end hotels in Cotai were less affected and maintained more stable occupancy levels.
Mainland China remains the main source of hotel guests. Short-haul travelers from Zhuhai, Hengqin and other mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area account for nearly 40 percent of guests, while longer-distance mainland visitors make up about 20 percent. Among international markets, South Korea is currently the largest source, followed by visitors from places including the Philippines.
Wong said operators are preparing summer packages, including lower rates for second and third nights and food-and-beverage offers, to attract family travelers and encourage longer stays. The industry also plans to join tourism promotion activities in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia in August to expand Southeast Asian source markets.
She also called for more concerts, sports events and other activities in community areas to draw visitors beyond major tourism districts and extend their time in Macau.
