Elaine Wynn, a prominent figure in the casino industry and a co-founder of Wynn Resorts, has passed away at the age of 82.
Her death, confirmed by family members on Monday, marks the loss of a leader who significantly shaped the gaming landscape in Las Vegas and beyond.
Born on January 2nd, 1941, Elaine was instrumental in the establishment of Wynn Resorts alongside her then-husband, Steve Wynn, in the early 2000s. The company quickly rose to prominence, with its luxury properties promoting high-end gaming and entertainment experiences.
Her influence extended beyond Las Vegas, as Wynn Resorts expanded into Macau, where it became a major player in the booming Asian gaming market.
Elaine Wynn was also a philanthropist, dedicating her time and resources to various charitable causes. She was known for her advocacy in education, the arts, and women’s rights.
In a statement, Steve Wynn expressed his sorrow at her passing, praising her contributions to the company and their shared vision. “Elaine was not just a partner in business but a friend and an inspiration,” he said.
Elaine Wynn is survived by her children and her former husband.
Timor-Leste has officially entered the international iGaming arena with the launch of its first-ever offshore gaming license, granted under a national concession contract to Golden River Universe Lda (GRU).
The move marks a strategic milestone in the young nation’s broader push for economic diversification and digital sector development.
The concession was formally signed by Vice Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, also Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs, and follows months of work between government officials and the Inspectorate General of Gaming (IGJ) to shape a regulatory framework aligned with global standards. With this foundation, Timor-Leste aims to position itself as a competitive, compliant, and secure destination for offshore gaming operators.
“This is more than just a license,” said GRU CEO Datuk Harry Ng. “It’s a platform for national growth and a signal that Timor-Leste is ready to engage with the global digital economy.”
Under the agreement, GRU will operate under the oversight of the IGJ, with a focus on responsible governance, digital transparency, and compliance. The framework sets the tone for what officials hope will be a new era of tech-driven investment and employment, as well as a catalyst for the country’s evolving tourism and services sectors.
The concession builds on groundwork laid by GRU’s prior partnership with the State Government of Oecusse, where it plans to develop the TOGOS Hub, a centralized offshore gaming operations center. The project is expected to bring new infrastructure, skilled jobs, and foreign capital into the country.
In parallel, GRU’s parent company, Grand Dragon Lotaria (GDLotto), is relocating key support divisions, including R&D and customer service, from Cambodia and the Philippines to Timor-Leste. The company, already licensed in multiple jurisdictions including Cambodia and Nigeria, aims to demonstrate the country’s potential to host and support international-scale operations.
Leading global bookmaker 1xBet has forged an exclusive partnership with the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge, the premier year-round international team competition in women’s tennis, marking a significant milestone in sports betting and sponsorship.
As the women’s World Cup of Tennis, it’s a celebration of skill, passion, teamwork, and the competitive spirit of female athletes from around the world.
As part of this agreement, the 1xBet logo will be displayed around the courts and on other media assets throughout the Play-offs, Qualifiers, and Finals. Additionally, as the Official Betting Partner, 1xBet will receive the rights to use the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge IP.
Billie Jean King Cup 2024 winners
“We are happy to announce and welcome a new sponsor partner for the Billie Jean King Cup, our Official Global Betting Partner, 1xBet. With their expertise and experience working with sports rights holders, we are excited to see how we can bring the partnership to life from the Qualifiers in April onwards.” said Kerstin Lutz, CEO of Billie Jean King Cup Limited.
“Signing a sponsorship contract with BJKC is another milestone in the history of 1xBet. The agreement with the most prestigious women’s national team tennis tournament is a strategically important step that opens up new opportunities for promoting the brand among fans of the most popular tennis event. By investing in female sports tournaments, we contribute to the support of women in professional sports,” said Mark Wilson, a 1xBet representative.
Leading gaming supplier Aristocrat Gaming is set to unveil a series of groundbreaking innovations at G2E Asia, happening May 7-9, 2025, in Macau. The company promises to showcase cutting-edge advancements that will shape the future of the gaming industry.
The event will feature the Asian debut of the MarsX Slim cabinet and the first regional showcase of the Buffalo Gold Collection, alongside a broad portfolio of new and award-winning titles.
Aristocrat’s latest lineup will be displayed alongside its globally recognised brands, tailored to meet the diverse needs of the Asian market, at the stand #A1038 during G2E Asia 2025.
The MarsX Slim cabinet is a compact hardware innovation making its first appearance at an Asian tradeshow, designed to optimise space on casino floors. Originally launched in Singapore, it has since expanded to Macau and the Philippines.
MarsX Slim by Aristocrat Gaming
Buffalo Gold Collection by Aristocrat Gaming
The Buffalo Gold Collection will also make its regional tradeshow debut, bringing one of Aristocrat’s most renowned game franchises to Asian audiences for the first time. With a proven track record of global success, the Buffalo brand continues to entertain players worldwide.
“We’re excited to introduce several company milestones to our valued customers at G2E Asia,” said Lloyd Robson, Vice President of Sales & Operations – Asia for Aristocrat Gaming. “From the debut of our MarsX Slim cabinet in an Asian tradeshow setting to the highly anticipated introduction of the Buffalo Gold Collection, G2E provides the platform to demonstrate our commitment to delivering innovative and tailored gaming experiences for the region.”
Aristocrat Gaming will also display an extensive lineup of new and notable titles, including:
Dragon Link: Genghis Khan and Peace & Long Life are the newest additions to the Dragon Link game family. These games feature wild multipliers, a free spin scatter, wild stacks, and the Hold & Spin Bonus.
Bao Zhu Zhao Fu: Part of our triple metamorphic game family, Bao Zhu Zhao Fu features three unique styles of Hold & Spin bonuses that can be combined to triple the fun.
Tian Ci Jin Long: Developed specifically for Asia, this bespoke game family will be supported by two titles: Empress and Fortune. Highlights include three-level link jackpot with two-level scalable bonuses, and multi denom.
Bao Bao Riches: A mash up of Mega Reel Power with Hold & Spin feature. Every reel spin is unique with Mega Reel Power, where every reel’s size changes independently on any spin and every bonus can feature many more spaces for Cash on Reels prizes.
Coin Trio: Building on the latest market trend with triple metamorphic, Coin Trio allows players to enjoy two Hold & Spins when triggered.
Buffalo Gold Collection: The collection offers a range of Buffalo games for players to choose from, each with a 20-credit ante bet that makes them eligible for the big Gold Bonus with substitute symbols and additional multipliers.
Paradise Entertainment’s subsidiary, LT Game, officially launched its gaming machine manufacturing line in Macau on Tuesday, April 15th.
The new facility allows the company to produce a wide range of entertainment equipment, targeting both local and international markets.
Jay Chun, Chairman and Managing Director of Paradise Entertainment
Jay Chun, Chairman and Managing Director of Paradise Entertainment, described the launch as a significant milestone for the company and an important step forward for the “Made in Macau” initiative.
Speaking to local media, Chun noted that the production line has a daily capacity of approximately 60 machines, with an annual output of nearly 20,000 units. However, due to the limited absorption capacity of the Macau market, the company’s primary focus will be on exports.
Ongoing trade tensions between China and the United States have affected access to the North American market. Increased tariffs imposed by the United States have made it more challenging to compete on price with American manufacturers.
Goods exported from Macau to the US face uncertainty due to shifting tariff policies, including the risk of shipments being returned if tariffs increase during transit. Given the company’s relatively small market share in the US, it is currently taking a “wait-and-see” approach, with plans to adjust its strategy once the policy environment becomes clearer.
The group’s facility is now fully operational and capable of producing various types of gaming equipment, including slot machines and electronic table games. It supports all of LT Game’s flagship models currently on the market, such as the LTS-1, LTS-2, MightyMite, Vista, Speedwave, and Ripple.
According to the company, the new line aims to improve supply chain efficiency, better serve regional markets, and enhance customer support capabilities. In addition to meeting local demand, the machines are already being exported to countries including Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Pending negotiations on satellite casino operations
Jay Chun, whose company also operates the Kam Pek satellite casino under SJM’s gaming license, said in an interview that while discussions with concessionaires are ongoing, the specific terms for future cooperation have yet to be finalized.
Chun expressed hope that the company will be able to continue operating its satellite casino, highlighting the advantage of having an in-house production line that allows for internal product testing and faster deployment within the casino.
Commenting on the legal requirement for satellite casinos to transition into management companies, Chun stated that while the transition is theoretically feasible, key issues—such as management fees—still need to be negotiated with the licensed gaming operators.
He noted that, under normal circumstances, “the government wouldn’t interfere in any commercial contracts. The guidelines issued by the government are primarily directed at the gaming concessionaires, and satellite casinos will only learn the specific details later.”
However, he added that the regulations have already “provided a pathway” for moving forward. The specific terms will be negotiated directly between the gaming concessionaires and the satellite casino operators, and there is hope for “faster negotiations” to allow more time for decision-making.
It is understood that Kam Pek Casino currently employs around 400 staff members, including foreign workers, and operates 30 gaming tables. Chun emphasized that many local employees have been with the company for up to 20 years, and that job stability remains a top priority.
Investment bank CLSA has lowered its growth expectations for Macau’s gaming sector, now projecting gross gaming revenue (GGR) to increase by just 1.8 percent to MOP230.8 billion ($28.7 billion) in 2025.
This modest growth is expected to be primarily driven by increased visitor numbers. It is also worth noting that these adjustments align with the recently mentioned downward revision intention by Macau authorities, as the region’s 1Q25 gaming revenues have missed official expectations.
In an investment memo, analysts Jeffrey Kiang and Leo Pan indicate that a more substantial recovery is anticipated in 2026, with CLSA forecasting 10.2 percent growth to MOP254.3 billion ($31.7 billion).
‘While we think growth in 2025 will be minimal, this should accelerate in 2026 based on our property team’s view that Chinese property prices will gradually bottom out in 2H25, which we see as a key driver for consumer confidence in China,’ notes the CLSA report.
The sluggish outlook for 2025 is attributed to escalating trade tensions that continue to dampen consumer confidence in China, alongside weakening of the renminbi.
Macau visitor arrivals are projected to reach 35.8 million in 2025, representing 91 percent of pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The firm expects visitation to grow by 2.6 percent year-on-year in both 2025 and 2026, followed by 4.6 percent growth in 2027. Despite this recovery trajectory, visitor numbers are expected to remain 2 percent below 2019 figures even by 2027.
First quarter performance in 2025 showed a divergence between visitation and spending patterns. While Macau recorded a modest 0.6 percent year-over-year GGR growth, visitor numbers increased by 10 percent to 6.7 million in the first two months, reaching 97 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
Analysts highlight that casino operators are facing profitability challenges despite the slight revenue growth. Macau gaming concessionaires are projected to see a 6 percent decline in sector EBITDA to $1.89 billion in the first quarter, attributed to compressed margins.
The quarterly GGR of MOP57.66 billion ($7.2 billion) represents a significant slowdown from the 6.1 percent growth recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024. CLSA attributes this deceleration to a ‘bottleneck against a higher base for year-over-year comparison,’ with first quarter revenue reaching only 76 percent of corresponding 2019 levels.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has intensified its efforts to combat illegal gambling by requesting that internet service providers (ISPs) block additional websites that violate Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Recent investigations revealed that numerous services are operating unlawfully within Australia. Among the latest sites to be targeted for blocking are Casino Australia Online, Pokies.bet, Pokiesman, and Smart Pokies.
Website blocking is part of a broader enforcement strategy aimed at protecting Australians from illegal gambling activities. The ACMA can take action against services that provide prohibited interactive gambling services to customers in Australia, such as online casinos, slot machines, and in-play online sports betting.
It can also target services offering unlicensed regulated interactive gambling services to Australian customers, including online betting platforms that lack a valid Australian license. Additionally, the ACMA can act against services that publish advertisements for prohibited or unlicensed interactive gambling services within Australia.
Since the ACMA initiated its first blocking request in November 2019, a total of 1,026 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been successfully blocked. Over 220 illegal services have exited the Australian market due to the ACMA’s enforcement of offshore gambling regulations.
The ACMA emphasizes to consumers that even if a service appears legitimate, it is unlikely to provide essential consumer protections.
The Star Entertainment Group has posted a significant loss of AU$302 million ($192.3 million) for 2H24 (1HFY25, as identified by the company) after narrowly avoiding a financial collapse.
The embattled casino operator submitted its results to the Australian Securities Exchange more than a month past the reporting deadline. Trading of its shares on the ASX was approved to resume on Wednesday, April 16th, following a suspension triggered by the delay.
Star Entertainment’s Chief Executive, Steve McCann
Chief Executive Steve McCann acknowledged the company’s ongoing struggles, telling analysts and investors that Star’s performance “continues to be very challenged” amid a difficult trading environment.
He explained that the loss was attributable to the recent rollout of mandatory carded play, time limits and enhanced customer due diligence processes.
McCann noted that the company had been working intensively to secure additional liquidity, which culminated in a rescue deal involving Bally’s Corporation and pub tycoon Bruce Mathieson‘s Investment Holdings.
The executive further explained that a range of factors had placed pressure on the business, including regulatory reforms, the introduction of mandatory carded play, cash and time limits, and the company’s declining market share in both Sydney and the Gold Coast.
As part of the rescue agreement, Star has already received the first AU$100 million ($63.7 million) tranche of funding. A further AU$200 million ($127.4 million) is expected, contingent on shareholder approval.
The deal came after months of speculation that Star could run out of cash and be forced into administration, as the company repeatedly warned that its future remained uncertain.
In its results statement, Star reported AU$98 million ($62.4 million) in available cash and confirmed that loan waivers were in place with its lenders until the end of June. However, the company cautioned that there is still ‘material uncertainty regarding the group’s ability to continue as a going concern’, despite the secured funding.
The company revealed that trading worsened during the last six months of 2024. Its Sydney casino was particularly affected by the new regulatory measures, while operations in the Gold Coast also suffered due to market share losses and reform impacts.
McCann admitted that the company faces a tough road to recovery. He said Star must regain customer trust and market share, after a “very poor customer experience” during the rollout of gambling reforms.
He observed that many patrons were alienated by the abrupt changes and restrictions placed on their gaming behavior.
“We are working hard on re-establishing those customer relationships,” stated McCann, adding that the company is trying to re-engage patrons who have shifted to pubs and clubs where they face fewer restrictions.
The Star entered into a AU$300 million ($180.8 million) investment agreement with Bally’s Corporation in early April, with some AU$100 million ($60.4 million) being contributed by The Star majority shareholder, and pokie billionaire Bruce Mathieson.
Under the terms of its agreement with Bally’s, McCann also revealed that Star is not currently considering selling additional non-core assets.
TotoGaming has announced the launch of Journey to. the Galaxy, a game developed in collaboration with leading content supplier Pragmatic Play.
In 2024, Pragmatic Play announced a competition for licensed operators in the Armenian market, awarding points for completing challenges designed to boost player engagement. The prize was an exclusive bespoke game tailored to the operator’s precise requirements.
“For TotoGaming’s team, this was an exciting opportunity to test our skills. Although our brand has been in the market for 20 years, we love participating in competitions and setting new challenges for ourselves. Pragmatic Play’s competition was exactly that. Our team spent months developing creative marketing campaigns and coming up with innovative approaches. The result is TotoGaming’s victory, which was truly inspiring,” said Victorya Harutyunyan, Head of Product Marketing Department.
Introducing “Journey to. the Galaxy”
After TotoGaming won the competition, the process of developing the exclusive game began. One of Pragmatic Play’s existing games already featured all the elements that interested TotoGaming, from Buy Bonus options to free spins. The next step was to define the new game’s theme and branding.
“This is where one of the most exciting phases began. Our team found the concept we wanted to visualize in this game—an extension of TotoGaming’s vision and mission. The idea was to transport users to another ‘gaming’ world, essentially to another TotoGaming galaxy. That’s how the game got its name—Journey to. the Galaxy. We worked extensively with Pragmatic Play on every detail—from TotoGaming’s flag to the well-known Toto icon. Even the music was carefully selected,” Victorya Harutyunyan added.
The careful attention to detail is reflected in the fact that both TotoGaming and Pragmatic Play were meticulous in their approach to the game’s development. The TotoGaming team outlined the concept, while Pragmatic Play designed and built the game to the high standards for which it is valued. The project started on July 9, 2024, and was completed in March 2025.
“This collaboration also unlocks cross-promotion and expanded marketing opportunities, allowing us to strategically plan game teasers and targeted communications that strengthen player engagement”, concluded TotosGaming’s Head of Product Marketing Department.
Legislators in Macau had surprisingly few questions about the state of the gaming industry this year in a Tuesday session with the SAR’s Chief Executive, despite the top official painting a bleak picture of revenue expectations for 2025 in his Policy Address on Monday.
While the Monday Policy Address and subsequent press conference did highlight uncertainties regarding the trade dispute between China and the United States and the lower-than-expected revenues from gaming operators so far this year, these were not a primary focus in the Tuesday Q&A session on the Address with the Legislative Assembly.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai did note that, given the revenues so far this year there is a “need to feel the risk” and “have preventative measures”.
The official highlighted that expenditure from the government is only going to increase, while targeting particularly the fact that Macau closed its borders during the pandemic, noting that this type of expenditure is unsustainable, and also hinting that it happening again is not out of the question.
The executive stated, “if we don’t understand the risk, we can have problems”.
Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai
Diversify but don’t ignore casino operators
While acknowledging that gaming revenue contributions to the government account for approximately 80 percent of the total annual coffer contributions, the executive did further the narrative that the diversification of the economy was necessary. However, he did not seem overly confident in the ramp up of these nascent industries in regards to their eventual contribution towards the government’s bottom line, at least in the short term.
The official stressed that, if gaming revenues this year do not meet expectations, the government will fall into a deficit, an acknowledgment that was uncommon to see from the previous administration.
It will be interesting to see how the SAR’s Secretary for Economy and Finance further outlines these details, and expected measures of mitigation, in his own follow up to the Policy Address.
The Chief Executive was firm in assuring that the responsibilities of each government department would fall firmly on the department and the Secretary who leads it. This was not exclusive to the Secretariat for Economy and Finance.
Given the non-political background of Macau’s new leader, this could be seen as a positive, distributing and mandating responsibility across the various departments.
The official did highlight the increased tendency for saving in mainland China – seen even before the US tariff announcements, noting that the “Chinese population has a sense of risk”. This has been evidenced by the increased number of tourists in Macau but the decreased average of spending overall.
Land
One question highlighted by numerous legislators was how Macau is going to use its land bank. The government has recovered numerous lands over the years, of various importance, including that of the Macau Jockey Club, which relinquished its operating license in the SAR.
While not providing any specific plan or study, the top official opined that the land from the former Macau Jockey Club could be used for the diversification of the gaming hub’s economy, in areas such as technology or some form of educational development (details were vague).
The official also highlighted the coastal zone of Macau and Taipa (the neighboring island conjoined to the Cotai Strip), commenting that there is the potential for Macau to develop something along the lines of the Sentosa coastal region in Singapore.
However, no specific details were outlined, with no programmed plans put forth.
The executive commented “we have many strategies, strategies are very important, they could be activated after some years or many years, but they are always important.”
In response to legislator inquiries, the Chief Executive also hinted that he was expecting an increase in unemployment and a need for retraining of the employees currently under contract by satellite casino operators.
Under the three-year extension, Macau satellite casino operations are to end by December 31st, 2025.
This runs in tandem with many questions raised by legislators over unemployment and financial difficulties for both Macau workers and small and medium enterprises.
However, in contrast to some comments by the previous administration, the Chief Executive did highlight that Macau had not seen a significant increase in the number of non-resident workers in 2024 in the casino sector compared to the period before the pandemic.
The official significantly highlighted also that the increase in visitation and the needs of tourism-facing operators implied the need for a trained and ready workforce.
However, he did follow the ongoing policy line that Macau workers should be prioritized.
This, in particular, regarding the need for upward mobility within all large-scale enterprises within Macau, especially gaming operators.
