Wynn and ATD collaborate to host Asia Leadership Summit 2025

Macau

AGBrief Editorial

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April 3, 2025

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Wynn and ATD collaborate to host Asia Leadership Summit 2025

The ATD X Wynn 2025 Asia Leadership Summit, hosted collaboratively by Wynn and the Association for Talent Development (ATD), took place at Wynn Palace with backing from the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), and the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) of the Macao SAR Government.

Themed “Leading Through Change: Bridging Technology and Human Capital,” the event featured top global experts discussing cutting-edge developments and innovations in leadership, technology, and talent development and experience sharing by C-suite, human resources, organizational development, talent development, and leadership development executives, as well as seasoned professionals from leading Asian companies. The event offers a secure and professional environment for deep discussions and networking among attendees.

In addition, Wynn signed an MOU with ATD to initiate a partnership lasting at least three years that focuses on collaboration in talent development conferences. The two parties will leverage their respective resources and strengths to jointly promote industry exchange and innovation, assist Macao in the construction of an international exchange platform and talent development, elevate talent cultivation and development in Macao to a higher level, and provide strong support for Macao’s orientation and industry upgrade.

The opening ceremony was held at Wynn Palace’s Grand Theater Ballroom yesterday (2 April) and officiated by the President of the Board of Directors of IPIM, Mr. Vincent U; Acting Director of MGTO, Mr. Cheng Wai Tong; Head of Department of Youth of DSEDJ of the Macao SAR Government, Ms. Cheong Man Fai; ATD Global Senior Director, Dr. Wang Wei; and President, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Ms. Linda Chen.

Other attendees included ATD Managing Director China, Mr. Gene Cai; former Microsoft Corporation President and Chief Xbox Officer; Mr. Robbie Bach; expert and thought leader in the fields of talent development and artificial intelligence, Mr. Markus Bernhardt; Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Mr. Frederic Luvisutto; Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Craig Fullalove; Chief Marketing Officer of Resort Marketing, Ms. Zoe Zou; Chief Marketing Officer of Casino Marketing, Mr. Wilson Ning; Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Ms. Zuleika Mok; and Vice President of Learning and Advancement, Mr. Barry Ip.

In addition, Wynn was awarded “ATD Global Strategic Partner Award” by ATD in recognition of Wynn’s support and contribution in promoting global talent development as an ATD partner.

Wynn and ATD collaborate to host Asia Leadership Summit

Ms. Linda Chen said in her speech that “Wynn is pleased to partner with ATD again to co-host the Asia Leadership Summit in Macao for a second consecutive year. I am also pleased to announce that we signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize a three-year extension of our strategic partnership with ATD to promote talent development at a global level. This summit not only serves as a professional platform for participants to learn from and exchange views with industry leaders, but also leverages Macao’s strengths to connect with the international world as a hub for nurturing talent with international competitiveness.”

Dr. Wei Wang also said that ” I would like to extend our deepest thanks to Wynn for hosting this event. Last year, we hosted our first Macau summit. This year, we are proud to have expanded it into the premier event for leaders from the Asia region. ATD and Wynn will continue to collaborate in the field of talent development and bring more global talent development resources to Macao, reinforcing our shared commitment to leading talent development in the Greater Bay Area and the global community.”

Founded in 1943, the Association for Talent Development (ATD) is the world’s largest association dedicated to those who develop talent in organizations. The association provides services for more than 30,000 members in more than 120 countries and regions around the world, and provides a variety of learning resources for talent development professionals.

As a leading international hospitality company based in Macao, Wynn has set the benchmark for professional talent cultivation and advancement with its global resources, high-quality service standards and industry experience. In the future, Wynn will continue to actively introduce international high-end projects to create more highly international exchange platforms and facilitate Macao’s orientation and industry upgrade, thus contributing to its moderate industry diversification and furthering its expansion into international markets.

Good Morning. A ray of sunshine can quickly become blocked by a cloud. Such appears to be the case for Australian gaming operator The Star, which saw a massive potential lifeline fall through, as it couldn’t meet the terms. Now, the operator is likely to seek out Bally’s for a bailout and make sacrifices to do so.

What you need to know

The Star’s refinancing deal collapses, turning again to Bally’s as a possible savior, with enough cash only to finish out a week.

On the radar

Forbes World’s Billionaires lists several Asia-linked gambling figures.
CN consumer recovery driving 6.5% growth in Macau FY25 gaming: Seaport.
Table games drive Paradise Co.’s 51.6% revenue surge in March.
Macau gaming operators urged to stay neutral in upcoming election.

AGB Intelligence

AUSTRALIA

The Star refinancing deal collapses

Embattled Australian gaming operator The Star appeared to have found its way out of the woods. But now the carpet has been pulled out from under them, as Salter Brothers Capital withdrew their refinancing bid for the company as The Star couldn’t satisfy their terms. Now the company is likely to pivot back to American group Bally’s, as its cash should only help it last out the week.

Industry Updates

GEG awarded for its outstanding CSR achievements for the fifth time.
SOFTSWISS honored as Online Casino Innovator at the CEE Awards 2025.
ZITRO to showcase groundbreaking concepts and games at GAT Expo 2025.

Corporate Spotlight

UU Wallet: Bridging traditional finance and Web3 flexibility

UU Wallet unveils comprehensive Digital Finance Solutions at ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025

With a strong focus on security and efficiency, UU Wallet stands out with its instant cryptocurrency exchange capabilities and globally accepted prepaid card, making it a preferred choice for those navigating the complexities of digital finance.

INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS

During this panel at the ASEAN Gaming Summit, top experts presented a “converging” theme of online and land-based gaming industries. The panel was moderated by Casino Plus CEO Evan Spytma and featured Bally’s Colombo CEO Tony Macmillan, TecNet Asia CEO Suat Sirin, and Zitro Sales Director EMEA Nadège Teyssedre.

Throughout the discussion, the panelists highlighted their strategies for integrating online gaming with physical casinos, particularly through the use of live tables and machines that allow online players to interact with the land-based setups. The conversation touched upon regulatory challenges and the technological improvements necessary for a seamless transition to online platforms.

Participants also discussed strategies to attract younger players, address taxation issues, and deal with demographic shifts in the gaming industry. The dialogue underscored the future of gaming, emphasizing the balance between technology, user experience, and compliance with local regulations.

Highlights

Convergence of Online and Land-Based Gaming: The pandemic accelerated the blending of these two sectors, creating a new market landscape.
Technological Innovations: The panel discussed various technologies that facilitate the integration of online elements with physical casino operations.
Market Dynamics and Legislative Changes: The conversation included insights on legislation that has transformed the gaming landscape and opened opportunities for online gameplay.
Financial Strategies: Strategies were shared regarding taxation complexities and the management of funds between online and land-based environments.
Customized User Experiences: Insights into how operators can attract younger players by promoting more engaging and familiar game options.
Equipment Transition and Management: Strategies for quickly transitioning existing land-based machines to online platforms discussed as feasible under the right conditions.
Player Engagement: Effective methods for engaging players from online to land-based casinos through promotions and familiar gaming experiences.

Key Insights

Reinvention of Gaming Experience: As the gaming landscape evolves with online dynamics, creating a holistic experience for players that merges online convenience with land-based excitement is essential. This integration is increasingly important, encouraging players from online platforms to visit physical locations by maintaining their experiences in a cohesive environment.
Challenges of Compliance with Regulations: Each region has differing regulations that affect how online and land-based gaming can converge. Understanding and navigating these regulations is crucial for operators looking to implement a hybrid model effectively.
Demographic Shift Towards Younger Players: The casinos are facing a shift in demographic trends where attracting younger players is vital. By creating games and experiences that resonate with younger audiences and utilizing social media and popular platforms, casinos can bridge the age gap.
Technical Infrastructure as a Game-Changer: Enhancing technical infrastructure, such as improving bandwidth and connectivity, is crucial for ensuring smooth online gaming transitions. This facilitates real-time gaming experiences that can keep players engaged and satisfied.
Marketing Innovations: Leveraging promotional strategies that resonate with online players can ease their transition to land-based venues. Promotions that reward loyalty and offer bonuses for visiting physical casinos can effectively attract this demographic back to traditional gaming settings.
Unique Content Appeal: Providing unique gaming experiences catered to local cultures can establish a competitive advantage. Local games, familiar to players due to their connection to cultural practices, can significantly increase engagement among target demographics.
Unified Taxation Systems Needed: The disparity in taxation for online and land-based gaming operations is a significant hurdle. Establishing a unified approach could streamline operations and reduce complexities for operators, fostering growth in both sectors.

Overall, the talk highlighted the importance of convergence in the gaming market while discussing the technological advancements, marketing strategies, and regulatory challenges facing the industry today. Through collaborative efforts among operators, manufacturers, and regulators, a more integrated and appealing gaming experience can be developed for players in the evolving landscape.

The Macau Electoral Affairs Commission and the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) convened a meeting on Wednesday with representatives from gaming concessionaires and local gaming promoter associations, in which they stressed the legal requirement for neutrality in the elections scheduled for September 14th of this year.

According to a dispatch, the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Seng Ioi Man, outlined the provisions of the Legislative Assembly Election Law, emphasizing that concessionaires and their employees must remain impartial during the electoral process.

According to Article 72 of the law, these entities and their managing bodies are prohibited from participating in election campaigns or taking actions that could benefit or harm specific candidate lists.

Seng reminded attendees that employees must uphold neutrality while performing their duties, which includes avoiding any displays of campaign-related materials in the workplace. This directive extends to staff canteens and rest areas, as well as during breaks and meal times.

The Commission stressed the importance of communicating these obligations to all employees and urged companies to report any violations promptly. If employees breach the neutrality rules, it is considered a personal act, and companies are responsible for notifying the Commission or the Bureau of any infractions.

Representatives from the DICJ, meanwhile, expressed their commitment to supporting the Electoral Affairs Commission, pledging to report any suspected violations by concessionaires or employees.

They also encouraged companies to seek clarification on neutrality obligations through official channels.

Meeting participants affirmed their commitment to comply with the Commission’s guidelines and to enhance oversight of employee conduct regarding election-related activities.

Additionally, the Commission reminded concessionaire representatives of their responsibility to facilitate employees’ right to vote on election day, noting that providing transportation for voting is permissible, provided it does not involve campaign propaganda.

However, any attempt to influence voting through instructions or campaign materials during transit would constitute a violation of the Election Law, according to Seng.

The MSAR Legislative Assembly election, which is held every four years, encompasses direct and indirect elections.

The current legislature has 33 members, comprising 14 legislators directly elected by universal suffrage, 12 legislators indirectly elected by registered association representatives and seven legislators appointed by the Chief Executive.

It is common for some Macau members of the Legislative Assembly to have links to gaming operators or gaming companies in the city.

The co-chairman and largest individual shareholder of SJM Holdings, Angela Leong On Kei, for example, is currently a legislator elected by Macau’s culture and sports sector.

ZITRO to showcase groundbreaking concepts and games at GAT Expo 2025

Elsewhere

AGBrief Editorial

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April 2, 2025

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ZITRO to showcase groundbreaking concepts and games at GAT Expo 2025

ZITRO has announced its participation in the upcoming GAT Expo in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, where the company will unveil its new CONCEPT cabinet line and exclusive new games, including Legendary Sword, Triple Charm Journey, Fairyland Quest, King Fu Frog, and Lucky Vault.

Zitro, Concept Cabinet Line at G2E Las Vegas 2024

Zitro at G2E Las Vegas 2024, Cash Totems

ZITRO will also showcase its successful Mega Lounge concept to Colombian operators, which has already demonstrated impressive performance in key Latin American markets.

The group will also introduce the Grand Mega Lounge, specifically designed for the CONCEPT cabinet line. In addition, the company will highlight its latest WAP games, building on their existing WAP operations in Panama, Argentina, and Costa Rica, with a launch planned for Peru in the near future.

ZITRO to unveil Grand Mega Lounge at ICE Barcelona 2025

ZITRO’s President – International, Sebastián Salat, stated, “At ZITRO, we are deeply committed to the Latin American market, particularly Colombia. GAT Expo is, therefore, a crucial event for us, providing the perfect platform to present our latest gaming innovations. These concepts have already succeeded significantly in other countries, and we are confident they will resonate strongly with our Colombian clients.”

The award celebrates companies that drive innovation, excellence, and leadership in the iGaming and tech landscape across Central and Eastern Europe. SOFTSWISS continues to lead online casino innovation in the CEE region with its Game Aggregator – one of the largest and most advanced game hubs in the iGaming industry.

The solution offers over 27,800 exclusive games from 280+ leading providers, supporting more than 1,250 brands. Operators can integrate it via a one-time API as a standalone product for any third-party platform or as part of the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.

The Game Aggregator offers a vast portfolio of RNG and live games for desktop and mobile, including slots, table games, crash, and casual games – many optimised for crypto gameplay. The content is fully localised to suit operators’ target markets, supporting multiple languages, currencies, and regional preferences.

The Game Aggregator is certified to operate across key markets in Europe, Africa, and Latin America, with licenses or compliance in countries like Greece, Romania, Spain, Brazil, Nigeria, and South Africa. The platform provides powerful innovations that help operators grow their business effectively:

Tournament Tool: A versatile tool that enables operators to launch custom competitions in five simple steps. With mechanics like total bets, highest multiplier, and total wins, this solution saw an 80% growth in adoption by operators in 2024.
Crash Games in Tournaments: A new integration that elevates engagement.
Non-Monetary Prizes: Enhances reward variety with trips, gadgets, and more.
GGR Report Builder: Aggregates performance data across all games and providers.
Jackpots for Crash and Live Games: Implemented via the Jackpot Aggregator integration, leading to over 50% growth in average total player value.

Alena Bekus, Deputy Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, commented on the achievement: “This award is a meaningful recognition of our team’s continuous efforts to build not just a product, but a powerful ecosystem that supports our partners’ growth. We constantly listen to our clients, innovate based on their needs, and work to deliver a flexible, scalable, and forward-thinking solution that meets the evolving demands of the iGaming market.”

By focusing on operator success, player engagement, and industry adaptability, SOFTSWISS continues to deliver forward-thinking solutions that set new benchmarks. Winning this award reaffirms the company’s role as a true innovator in iGaming.

Upholding its philosophy of “What is taken from the community is to be used for the good of the community”, Galaxy Entertainment Group (“GEG”) has been actively fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities over the years through various means, earning broad recognition from various sectors of society.

The Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award recognizes enterprises that have made remarkable contributions to society in 2024. Over the past year, GEG has supported, organized, and participated in nearly 400 community charity events in collaboration with different social service organizations.

GEG also conducted nearly 200 youth development activities, empowering local young talents to realize their potential. Furthermore, by organizing major international sports and cultural events, such as the “2024 Macao ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup Presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group”, the “WTT Macao Champions 2024 presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group”, and the “2024 GEG Lusofonia Festival”, GEG engaged nearly 80 organizations in a wide range of related activities, strengthening connections within the local community.

GEG has consistently demonstrated its commitment to community care across a wide spectrum, including promoting culture, sports, educational and sustainable development; spreading love and care to the different communities; fostering harmony and social inclusion; supporting local SMEs and diversifying local industries; and advocating responsible gaming.

Moving forward, GEG will continue to uphold the philosophy of “Community at Heart, Empathy in Action” and take practical actions to contribute to Macau’s long-term and sustainable development.

The forecast comes after Macau’s April GGR data release, which showed relatively flat year-on-year performance. According to Vitaly Umansky, senior analyst at Seaport, stronger growth is expected in the second half of the year, with projections of 10.9 percent growth in the second half compared to just 2.2 percent in the first half.

‘China economy improvement, especially the upper middle class consumer, is key to driving upward growth in Macau,’ notes Umansky in the report. This perspective comes as March GGR reached MOP19.66 billion ($2.46 billion), representing a modest 0.8 percent year-on-year increase and achieving 76.1 percent of March 2019 levels.

The report indicates that while Macau’s recovery continues, it remains uneven across different segments. Premium segments have shown strong performance since the COVID recovery began in early 2023, currently running over 40 percent above 2019 levels. However, the base mass segment continues to lag, remaining more than 15 percent below pre-pandemic figures.

‘In order to drive outsized growth in 2025 and 2026, base mass recovery will be key,’ Umansky emphasizes. ‘We forecast significant improvement in the second half of 2025 and 2026 as consumer confidence in China rises and the upper middle class base mass customers deploy their spending power.’

The anticipated growth is closely tied to China’s economic policies and stimulus measures. Recent developments in China’s policy approach offer reasons for optimism. ‘The Chinese government’s March announcement of a focus on boosting consumption and improving consumer confidence is an important leading indicator of a strengthening China consumer and a driver of mass revenue growth in Macau in the future,’ the report states.

This marks a significant shift in focus. As Umansky points out, ‘The government has prioritized a policy plan to improve consumption, identified as the top priority in the government’s work report, for the first time since Xi Jinping came to power.’

Early economic indicators from China are showing positive trends. January and February retail sales rose to 4 percent year-on-year growth, up from 3.5 percent in 2024. The housing market, while still declining, is showing signs of stabilization, with February new home sales dropping at their lowest monthly rate since June 2024. Manufacturing PMI hit 50.5 in March, the best reading since March 2024, while consumer confidence in January recorded its strongest level since April 2024.

Despite concerns around geopolitical developments, including potential escalation of US tariffs, Seaport believes that China’s focus on economic stimulus will provide a positive tailwind to Macau revenues. ‘We expect China policymakers to more forcefully implement stimulative measures to help drive consumption and improve consumer confidence,’ notes the report.

As China continues to implement policies aimed at economic recovery and boosting consumer confidence, Macau’s gaming industry appears positioned for steady growth through 2025, with potentially stronger performance in the years ahead should China’s economic trajectory and consumer sentiment continue to improve.

Table games drive Paradise Co.’s 51.6% revenue surge in March

South Korea

Viviana Chan

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April 2, 2025

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Table games drive Paradise Co.’s 51.6% revenue surge in March

South Korean foreigner-only casino operator Paradise Co. reported a significant rise in casino revenue for March, reaching KRW80.95 billion ($55.3 million).

This represents a 51.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year and a 15.3 percent rise from February.

The growth was primarily driven by the table gaming segment, which saw revenue increase by 55.7 percent year-on-year to KRW76.88 billion ($52.6 million). Meanwhile, revenue from gaming machines remained relatively stable at KRW4.07 billion ($2.8 million), reflecting a 1.3 percent increase from March 2024 but a 4.5 percent decline from February.

For the first quarter of 2025, Paradise Co. reported total casino revenues of KRW222.91 billion ($152.4 million), an 8.8 percent year-on-year increase. Table gaming revenue contributed to this growth, rising 9.7 percent to KRW209.93 billion ($143.5 million), while machine segment revenue declined 3.2 percent to KRW12.99 billion ($8.9 million).

Paradise Co. operates three casino venues: Walkerhill in Seoul, Paradise Jeju on Jeju Island, and a property in Busan. Additionally, it has a joint venture with Japan’s Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. for the Paradise City resort in Incheon.

To further appeal to international guests, the company is investing in a luxury hotel project in Seoul, with an estimated cost of $400 million and an expected opening in 2028. The initiative aligns with its strategy to enhance VIP gaming areas and strengthen its offerings for high-value guests.

Value up plan

Paradise Co. recently introduced its “Value Up” plan, aiming for an annual revenue increase of more than 10 percent through 2027. Under this initiative, the company seeks to achieve operating margins in the high 20 percent range.

Additionally, Paradise Co. plans to gradually increase its dividend payout ratio and retire outstanding shares in accordance with its financial position. As part of this approach, the company will issue a year-end cash dividend of KRW150 ($0.1) per common share on April 25th, up from KRW100 ($0.068) in 2023.

Forbes World’s Billionaires with several Asia-linked gambling figures

Nelson Moura

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April 2, 2025

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Forbes World’s Billionaires with several Asia-linked gambling figures

Miriam Adelson, with a net worth of $32.1 billion, ranks 56th overall. At 79 years old, she continues the legacy of her late husband, Sheldon Adelson, former CEO of Las Vegas Sands, who passed away in 2021.

The Adelson family retains control of more than half of the casino empire, which includes operations in Singapore and Macau. In 2022, Las Vegas Sands sold its assets on the Vegas Strip for $6.25 billion, and in late 2023, Adelson acquired a majority stake in the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

Pansy Ho, Forbes World’s Billionaires with several Asia-linked gambling figures — _{Miriam Adelson}

Pansy Ho, representing Hong Kong, has a net worth of $4 billion, ranking 883rd. The executive is the Chairperson of MGM China, as well as the chairman of Shun Tak Holdings, a property development firm that operates ferries and hotels in Hong Kong and Macau.

Pansy is the daughter of Stanley Ho, the well-known Macau gaming tycoon, who passed away in 2020. She also holds major shares in both MGM China and SJM.

Steve Wynn, Wynn Resorts — _{Steve Wynn}

Meanwhile, Steve Wynn ranked 957th with a net worth valued at $3.7 billion. Wynn is another prominent figure, having co-founded Wynn Resorts and credited with creating some of Las Vegas’ most iconic casinos.

However, he stepped down in 2018 amid allegations of misconduct—which he denies. Wynn’s ex-wife Elaine Wynn, is now the largest individual shareholder of publicly traded Wynn Resorts and ranks 1,763rd on the list.

Lim Kok Thay, Genting Hong Kong — _{Lim Kok Thay}

Lim Kok Thay, the executive chairman of Genting, holds a net worth of $1.9 billion and ranks 1,836th. A significant player in the casino and resort sector, he stepped down as CEO of the company in February 2025 after nearly two decades.

There are also two Japanese gaming figures in the Forbes list, namely, Hajime Satomi and Hideyuki Busujima.

Satomi, chairman of Sega Sammy, has a net worth of $1.4 billion, ranking 2,272nd. His company also has a stake in the South Korean entertainment resort Paradise City.

Hideyuki Busujima, with a net worth of $1.1 billion, ranks 2,641st. He is the son of Sankyo founder Kunio Busujima, who died in October 2016. In 2023, Hideyuki stepped down as CEO of pachinko-machine maker Sankyo, but remains chairman.

Wynn and ATD collaborate to host Asia Leadership Summit 2025

Table of Contents

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: The Star refinancing deal collapses