Home Blog Page 446

Queensland Government further postpones suspension of Star Gold Coast’s casino license

Viviana Chan
-
0
Queensland Government further postpones suspension of Star Gold Coast’s casino license

The Queensland government has granted an additional six-month extension for The Star Gold Coast’s casino license suspension, deferring the decision until September 30th, 2025.

The suspension was previously set to take effect by March 31st, 2025.

In a filing to the Australian Stock Exchange, The Star Entertainment Group announced that it had been advised by the Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Integrity that the suspension of its Gold Coast casino license would be postponed until the end of September 2025. Along with this, the appointment of a Special Manager for The Star Gold Coast casino has also been extended to September 30th, 2025.

The company confirmed that the appointment of an External Advisor for The Star Brisbane has likewise been extended to the same date.

In an official press release, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said that it was important for the public to have confidence in The Star, and the government would continue to assess its remediation progress during the six-month deferral period. 

“The government has made it clear that our expectations have not changed, and The Star must progress its remediation,” the Attorney-General said. 

“Based on the advice of the Special Manager, we are satisfied The Star has been continuing to make positive progress under the agreement. The extension will provide The Star with additional time to deliver on its outstanding commitments while keeping its doors open. This deferral does not prevent us from taking immediate action should The Star fail to meet its remediation obligations.”

Steve McCann, Crown resorts
Steve McCann, The Star CEO

Steve McCann, Group CEO and Managing Director of The Star, expressed appreciation for the Queensland government’s decision, acknowledging the delay as an opportunity to continue working toward fulfilling its commitments under the company’s remediation plan.

“We appreciate the Crisafulli Government’s decision to defer the suspension of the Gold Coast license to September 30, 2025,” McCann said. He also emphasized the company’s focus on returning to suitability, in line with the expectations set by regulators.

Macau’s GGR signals normalizing trends despite positive growth in February: CreditSights

Viviana Chan
-
0
Macau’s GGR signals normalizing trends despite positive growth in February: CreditSights

Although Macau’s gaming industry showed improvement in February 2025, CreditSights analysts noted that the 7 percent year-on-year growth signals a return to normal growth levels after the sharp 79 percent increase in February 2024. This trend is expected to continue throughout 2025.

Analysts at CreditSights forecasted this turnaround, with data now showing a 7 percent year-on-year growth, compared to a 6 percent decline in January 2025. February’s GGR reached MOP19.7 billion ($2.45 billion), an 8 percent month-on-month increase and about 78 percent of February 2019 levels, according to data from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ).

David Bussey and Nicholas Chen, analysts at CreditSights, explained, ‘The increase in GGR is a sign of recovery, fueled by higher visitor arrivals during the latter half of the Chinese New Year holiday period. The longer tail of post-CNY visitors also contributed to the better-than-expected results.’

During the second half of the Chinese New Year (CNY) period, particularly from January 31st to February 4th, visitor arrivals surged. For example, on February 4th, visitor numbers jumped 28 percent year-on-year, driven largely by mainland Chinese tourists. These strong figures helped fuel the GGR growth for the month.

Macau-Tourism-Labor-Day-Hotel-Occupancy

Gaming revenue per visitor up 12%

Visitor numbers to Macau showed mixed results in February 2025. Total arrivals fell slightly by 4 percent year-on-year to 3.1 million, with a 6 percent decrease in visitors from Greater China. This decline was partly due to the shorter CNY holiday window this year (only four days in February, compared to eight days in 2024). 

However, international tourism grew, with arrivals from South Korea (+42 percent), Japan (+26 percent), Thailand (+26 percent), and other countries showing solid growth.

Despite the overall drop in visitors, GGR per visitor increased by 12 percent year-on-year, reaching MOP6,274 ($781) in February 2025, up from MOP5,613 ($699) in February 2024. This increase suggests that the visitors arriving in February were more likely to be high-spending casino-goers from wealthier regions, contributing to the higher average gaming revenue per visitor.

Higher minimum wagers at Macau casinos contribute to heightened levels of debt

Year-to-date GGR lags government target

CreditSights analysts project a more stable and normalized growth trajectory for Macau’s gaming industry in 2025. Year-to-date (YTD) total GGR stood at MOP 38 billion ($4.73 billion), representing a modest 0.5 percent year-on-year growth, and about 16 percent of the Macau SAR Government’s forecasted GGR of MOP240 billion ($29.9 billion) for 2025. Notably, this slightly lags behind the government’s projected growth of 6 percent year-on-year for the year.

Despite this, analysts remain optimistic about the recovery. As analysts stated, ‘Although growth has slowed from the highs of 2024, the gaming sector remains on solid footing and should continue its gradual recovery as visitation patterns normalize.’

Thai cabinet approves IR draft bill in “significant step” towards gaming legalisation

Nelson Moura
-
0
Thai cabinet approves IR draft bill in “significant step” towards gaming legalisation

Thailand’s government cabinet has approved a draft law aimed at establishing casinos and entertainment complexes in another “significant step” towards advancing an industry the Southeast Asia country hopes can boost tourism and generate more public revenue.

According to legal experts consulted by AGB, an ad hoc committee will now be appointed to review and potentially amend the law during this stage, particularly with respect to the requirement concerning Thai citizens’ entry, which currently stipulates a minimum of THB50 million ($1.5 million) maintained in a bank account over the prior six months.

Another issue up for debate will be that proposed casinos can only occupy up to 10 percent of the total space in entertainment complexes.

Four rounds of public hearings were conducted on the entertainment complex bill, with the most recent held between February 28th and March 14th, 2025 during which over 71,000 participants took part, and 80 percent expressed support for the bill.

After incorporating feedback, the revised draft was resubmitted to the Cabinet for final approval, which has now been approved and sent to the House of Representatives for further deliberation. Lawmakers will review its principles and form a special committee to refine the draft.

The bill will undergo a deliberation period in the House, which may last up to 180 days. If approved, it will proceed to implementation.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized that the law’s specifics are not yet finalized, as it will undergo parliamentary review and must also receive approval from the Senate and the King.

Recently Shinawatra had to go through a censure debate, as the opposition People’s Party argued that legalizing casinos was not part of the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign promises and could lead to social harm.

While gambling is largely prohibited in Thailand, there is ongoing government support for legalizing casinos to attract foreign visitors and generate employment and revenue.

Paetongtarn-Shinawatra

A significant step

Shaun McCamley, Managing Partner of Euro Pacific Asia (EPA) Consulting, called the move to the House a “significant development for Thailand’s gaming industry”, however, he anticipated that several key amendments will be necessary to address concerns raised during the drafting process.

“One provision I don’t believe will survive in its current form is the requirement for individuals wishing to enter a casino to show proof of THB50 million in their bank account,” McCamley told AGB.

He emphasized that this threshold has “raised considerable doubt,” as it would effectively exclude the vast majority of Thai citizens, something he considered to be “more symbolic than practical.”

In the end, he predicts that it will either be removed entirely or replaced with a more realistic mechanism, such as an entry fee or targeted criteria to manage access without appearing overly restrictive.

Beyond these changes, McCamley believes the House will take a closer look at regulatory safeguards, zoning, and revenue distribution methods.

“The goal will be to fine-tune the bill to attract investment and tourism while still addressing public concerns,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of ensuring that the social and economic impacts of the bill are well-balanced.

Playson releases unforgettable journey in Royal Express: Hold and Win

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
Playson releases unforgettable journey in Royal Express: Hold and Win

Playson, a top-tier digital entertainment supplier, is embarking on an epic adventure in Royal Express: Hold and Win, with the luxury train travel-inspired slot offering delightful bonus play and themed multipliers.

Players are welcomed aboard a luxurious locomotive in this 3×3 title, with shimmering gold coins, delicious fruits and immersive graphics set to enhance the excitement. The Bonus Game features Royal Express Multipliers which are randomly triggered and deliver an electrifying boost with random multipliers of x1, x2 or x3 applied randomly on reels 1 and 3.

The Pile of Gold feature can be randomly activated when any Bonus symbol lands on the reels during the Main Game, adding Bonus and Boost symbols in quantity enough or more to activate the Bonus Game.

Additionally, if a Bonus symbol lands on reels 1 and 3, along with a train Boost symbol on reel 2, the Bonus Game is triggered and three respins are granted. The Bonus Game continues until the player runs out of respins. When it ends, all values accumulated are added to the total win.

The random appearance of Grand, Major, Minor and Mini Bonus symbols during the Bonus Game can trigger one of four corresponding in-game jackpots, including the Grand Jackpot worth up to x1,000 the bet.

Royal Express: Hold and Win is a visually impressive slot that demonstrates Playson’s masterful ability to create themed, feature-rich titles that continue to resonate with players.

Tamas Kusztos, CCO at Playson, said: “Royal Express: Hold and Win evokes the timeless charm of train travel and combines it with modern and visually impressive graphics that appeal to a wide range of audiences. The Boost symbol adds more intensity to the game play in this release, while the all-new Royal Express multipliers put players on route for luxurious wins.”

Pragmatic Play releases thrilling ‘Book of Monsters’ slot game

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
Pragmatic Play releases thrilling ‘Book of Monsters’ slot game

Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, has launched Book of Monsters, a cluster-pays slot where symbols measuring up to 7×7 can randomly hit on any spin in the base game. 

Landing 4-7 scatters triggers the bonus game with 5-8 free spins, where a random symbol is chosen as the FAT symbol. Before free spins commence, a gamble feature offers players the chance to increase the number of free spins and upgrade the FAT symbol to the next highest-paying symbol. 

During the feature, the FAT symbol moves to a new position on each spin. Every landed symbol matching the FAT symbol is collected in a meter. As these accumulate, the FAT symbol can increase in size to 2×2, then 3×3, and so on up to 7×7, awarding 1-3 extra spins each time it grows. 

Book of Monsters is the latest addition to Pragmatic Play’s award-winning slots portfolio, following the release of Big Bass Return to the Races and 5 Lions Megaways™ 2.   

Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “Book of Monsters is an exciting and visually rich slot that can deliver supersized symbols on any spin and wins of up to 5,000x.” 

Spintec returns to IGA Conference & Tradeshow, commemorating growth in the US market

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
Spintec returns to IGA Conference & Tradeshow, commemorating growth in the US market

Spintec’s return to the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Conference & Tradeshow this year is marked by the significant success the company has achieved since the last show.

The partnership with the exclusive distributor, Dynamic Gaming, has expanded its presence across the US by leaps and bounds. 

A map of the united states AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Spintec is currently licensed and approved for their latest product and games, in California, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Washington, with approvals in Arkansas, Wyoming, Idaho, and Florida waiting in the wings. This highlights their ongoing commitment to the US market and their growing footprint across North America, emphasized further by their imminent entry into Ontario, Canada.

Introducing the Charisma Line – First Launch at IGA

To celebrate their unwavering success in North America, Spintec will be showcasing the best parts of their latest Charisma product line at this year’s IGA. Charisma is a brand-new line of products that has already won awards and has become an instant global bestseller. In an exclusive introduction, the visitors at IGA will be shown its brand-new Craps solution. It comes with super innovative elements such as the shooter button, 7-out function, and a rotating dealer feature. Additionally, they will also be unveiling their virtual/video Charisma Blackjack machine. Both of these exceptional new solutions are designed to elevate the gaming experience and include a variety of side bets on both games.

Visitors will also have the chance to try out the new Galactic Spin Roulette game. It offers an enhanced roulette experience with integrated Mega, Major, and Minor Jackpots, bet multipliers of up to 300, and the exciting possibility of winning free spins. This game revolutionizes the roulette experience by eliminating breaks, making the wait for the ball to drop the most thrilling part of the game. 

Spintec’s booth will also include a variety of compact, multi-station solutions, allowing the visitors to explore and experience the breadth of their latest product portfolio.

Join Spintec at IGA on April 2-3 in San Diego, booth #2225 in the Exhibit Hall, as they continue to redefine electronic table gaming in the US and North America.

FIBA global partner 1xBet unveils the 3×3 Asia Cup 2025 preview

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
FIBA global partner 1xBet unveils the 3×3 Asia Cup 2025 preview

From March 26 to March 30, 2025, Singapore will host the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup for the fourth consecutive time – the region’s premier 3×3 basketball tournament.

Over five days, 25 men’s and 23 women’s teams will compete to determine the best at the OCBC Arena, Singapore’s top sports and entertainment venue.

Difference between 3×3 basketball and traditional basketball?

The name of this sport reveals that it is played in a 3-on-3 format, with one additional player on the bench. The court is half the size of a standard basketball court, with a single hoop. Teams have just 12 seconds to make an attack – half the time compared to traditional basketball. A successful free throw or a shot inside the arc scores 1 point, while shots beyond the arc are worth 2 points. The match lasts 10 minutes without a break or until one team reaches 21 points.

If you haven’t watched 3×3 basketball yet, don’t wait any longer – you’ll fall in love with the game!

How is the tournament structured?

FIBA’s 3×3 Asia Cup 2025 structure: Both the men’s and women’s competitions follow the same format, consisting of three stages:

  1. Qualification
  2. Main bracket
  3. Playoffs

The winners of the four qualifying groups will move on to the main round, where they’ll compete against the eight highest-seeded teams. The main bracket serves as a second qualifying round, where participants are divided into four groups of three.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. From there, the tournament follows the traditional format – semifinals, a third-place match, and the final.

Who are the Favorites?

1xBet analysts highlight several teams with the best chances of success.

Australia

The athletes from the Land Down Under are the reigning champions of Asia in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Over the 7 previous editions of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, Australia’s men and women have each won 4 championship titles. The women’s roster is impressive, featuring Alex Wilson, named MVP of the FIBA Asia Cup 2024, and Anneli Maley, who recently signed with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.

Mongolia

Mongolians have a deep passion for 3×3 basketball, this game is experiencing a real boom in the country. Mongolia’s men’s team is a two-time FIBA Asia Cup champion (2017, 2023) and broke Australia’s dominance at the tournament two years ago. The women’s squad claimed silver in the inaugural FIBA Asia Cup 12 years ago and secured bronze in 2024. Last year’s result indicates that Mongolian women can compete evenly with the top teams from Australia and New Zealand.

China

3×3 basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in China. In 2022, the Chinese women’s team became the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup champions, and in 2018, they won silver. They also secured bronze medals in 2017 and 2023.

China’s men’s team has had more modest success with two bronze medals (2019, 2022) and a fourth-place finish in 2023. However, 3 consecutive entries in the semi-finals make the Chinese serious contenders for victory. 

For the first time, the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup will be held with the support of the global brand 1xBet. 1xBet and FIBA have joined forces under the slogan “Cut the net,” marking not just a catchy phrase but the beginning of a new chapter in the tournament’s history – a synergy of excitement, emotion, action, and thrill.

Expect breathtaking slam dunks, precise shots with incredible trajectories, and intense dynamics across every inch of the court. Follow 1xBet’s social media accounts, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of big basketball on a small court, and catch the coolest highlights from the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup!

Continent 8 secures ISO 50001 certification for its data centres

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
Continent 8 secures ISO 50001 certification for its data centres

Continent 8 Technologies, a top-tier provider specializing in managed hosting, connectivity, cloud, and cybersecurity solutions for the iGaming and online sports betting sectors, has announced the achievement of the ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management Systems (EnMS) certification, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.

The ISO 50001 certification is an internationally recognised benchmark for energy management. As part of the ISO 50001 certification initiative, Continent 8 is committed to implementing both short- and long-term energy management strategies, identifying energy-saving opportunities and promoting environmental sustainability across its data centre operations.

Continent 8’s commitments include:

  • Enhancing energy performance by optimising design and operations and investing in energy-efficient technologies.
  • Complying with all relevant energy laws, regulations and other operational requirements. 
  • Exploring opportunities to increase the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Engaging employees in company-wide energy conservation initiatives. 
  • Collaborating with customers, suppliers and the community to advance energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Michael Tobin, Continent 8
Michael Tobin, CEO at Continent 8 Technologies

Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder of Continent 8 Technologies, stated: “For over 25 years, we have been dedicated to delivering best-in-class managed data centre services to our global customers. In recent years, we have equally prioritised sustainability and decarbonisation. We recognise the impact our data centres have on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint.”

“Achieving ISO 50001 certification is a significant step in our commitment to sustainability, and I’d like to congratulate all involved in this accomplishment. This certification ensures that our organisation is responsible for continuously enhancing our energy management system and implementing objectives and best practices for energy efficiency.”

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Thai casino bill could limit Chinese tourism

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Thai casino bill could limit Chinese tourism
Good Morning: The importance of the Chinese market can never be overstated. And as Thailand moves forward with proposed legislation for casinos, the upper echelons in Beijing are expressing their concern about the potential effect it could have on its citizens. Whether the risk is worth the reward remains to be seen, but the importance of the source market is undeniable. Meanwhile, in Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa is going all out on new non-gaming features, opening up a bright new segment in the second half of this year.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

THAILAND

Bangkok Thailand

Casino bill sparks concerns over Chinese visitation

Thailand’s push to advance an entertainment complex bill, which includes casinos, could hamper ties with China and potentially limit the country as a source market. China’s stance on gambling is positively limited to Macau, with any other foreign gambling location frowned upon. But will the benefits outweigh the risks? And how important could the Chinese market be?

ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025

ASEAN Gaming Summit_2025

Day 1 of the ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025 was filled with valuable insights. PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro H. Tengco delivered a compelling keynote, highlighting the promising future of the Philippines’ gaming sector. The day continued with expert panels exploring key topics such as online gambling licensing, AI innovations, and KYC challenges.

ASEAN Gaming Summit_2025

Day 2 of the ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025 was focused on innovation and strategy, with panels exploring marketing trends, electronic table games (ETGs), and AI-driven solutions. Experts shared insights on enhancing customer engagement and improving operational efficiency through advanced technologies.

Industry Updates

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

Asian Poker Tour cancels Manila tournament

Nelson Moura
-
0
Asian Poker Tour cancels Manila tournament

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has announced the cancellation of its APT Manila 2025 tournament, originally scheduled to take place from May 30th to June 8th at the City of Dreams Manila.

In a statement, the APT expressed regret for the cancellation without specifying the reasons for the cancellation.

Looking ahead, the next scheduled stop on the APT tour will be APT Taipei 2025, set to run from April 25th to May 4th. This event features a guaranteed TWD70 million ($ 2.1 million) for its Main Event.

Following Taipei, the APT will host APT Incheon 2025, which will take place from August 1st to 10th at the Paradise Hotel & Resort. The Main Event will have a buy-in of KRW2.5 million ($1,706) and a guarantee of KRW1.5 billion ($1 million).

Additionally, the tour will continue with APT Jeju 2025, scheduled for September 26th to October 5th at Jeju Shinhwa World. This event will feature a Main Event buy-in of KRW2.6 million ($1,775) and a prize pool guarantee of KRW 2.2 billion ($1.5 million).

The 2025 APT poker schedule will conclude with the APT Championship (APTC), which will run from November 14th to 30th at the newly opened Red Space venue in central Taipei. The APTC Main Event will offer a record-breaking TWD165 million ($5 million) prize pool guarantee, the largest in the tour’s history.

1...445446447...1,809Page 446 of 1,809