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Investor sentiment remains ‘apathetic’ amid flattish Macau GGR outlook: JP Morgan 

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Investor sentiment toward Macau’s gaming sector remains subdued, with JP Morgan noting that stable but unremarkable gross gaming revenue (GGR) may not be enough to improve the market outlook in the near term.

However, analysts DS Kim, Selina Li, and Mufan Shi suggest the sector could present value opportunities. ‘We believe the sector is gradually becoming cheap enough for long-term investors to start accumulating select stocks,’ they noted.

Among their top picks is Galaxy Entertainment, recognized for its ‘best-in-class growth potential from new openings,’ strong financial position, and strategic exposure to Thailand. MGM China was also highlighted as an ‘absolute value pick,’ with a dividend yield exceeding 5 percent.

In Monday’s investment memo, JP Morgan notes that Macau’s GGR for the first 16 days of March reached MOP10.1 billion ($1.26 billion), averaging MOP631 million ($78.9 million) per day. Last week’s run rate remained stable at approximately MOP621 million ($77.6 million) per day.

Analysts noted that mass GGR is performing at over 110 percent of pre-COVID levels, while VIP revenue remains around the low-20 percent range, consistent with trends seen in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Despite this stability, JP Morgan cautions that “‘flattish’ demand may not be enough to improve sentiment positively.” March GGR is projected to remain relatively unchanged year-on-year at around MOP19 billion ($2.37 billion), reflecting a slight change of -2 to 0 percent.

As a result, 1Q25 GGR is also expected to remain stable despite challenging year-on-year comparisons.

Looking ahead, analysts anticipate GGR growth will likely accelerate in the latter half of the year due to easier year-on-year comparisons, forecasting a modest 3 percent increase for full-year 2025.

It is also worth noting that Macau’s Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai, has warned that the city’s fiscal revenue for 2025 may fall short of earlier expectations due to a sluggish start for the gaming industry.

The government did not specify how much lower the revised revenue forecast might be. Earlier projections estimated Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) for 2025 at MOP240 billion ($29.7 billion), an increase of about 11 percent from the 2024 budget forecast of MOP216 billion ($27 billion).

Mike Volkert stepping down as Crown Melbourne CEO, replaced by MGM executive Ed Domingo

Crown Resorts has announced that Mike Volkert will be stepping down as the CEO of Crown Melbourne, to be succeeded by MGM executive Ed Domingo.

According to a Monday notice, Volkert will be resigning from his position with Crown to ‘pursue an outside opportunity’.

Crown Resorts, Crown Melbourne

Volkert served a relatively short stint as the CEO of Crown Melbourne, with Crown Melbourne’s Chairman Ian Silk noting “I would like to thank Mike for his leadership and dedication to Crown Melbourne over the last two and a half years”.

Ed Domingo will begin with Crown Melbourne ‘in late April’, with Volkert continuing to serve as CEO until that time.

Ed Domingo, Crown Melbourne CEO
Ed Domingo, incoming Crown Melbourne CEO

Domingo brings with him more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and gaming, having most recently held the position of President and COO of Empire City Casino in New York with MGM Resorts International.

Domingo had also previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, as well as other leadership roles in Caesars Entertainment and Rush Street Gaming.

Speaking of Domingo’s appointment, Crown Resorts CEO David Tsai noted that “With his extensive industry experience across various gaming jurisdictions, Ed is well-positioned to lead Crown Melbourne’s next phase of growth and success”.

ASEAN Gaming Summit Masterclass shines light on evolving industry landscape

An engaging workshop exploring the evolving online gambling landscape in Asia and beyond capped off day one of the 2025 ASEAN Gaming Summit in Manila.

In front of an international audience consisting of regulators, operators, and industry experts, gambling licensing specialist Frank Schuengel explained current operating models and the risks and opportunities different licensing frameworks provide.

From listing the most popular grey market jurisdictions and going through their strengths and weaknesses, to covering recent developments in the field of compliance and country specific regulations, the workshop aimed to answer questions and educate the audience about best practices and the dos and don’ts of various approaches.

The risks and benefits of different operating models were examined and the fact that the industry is moving into an ever more strictly regulated direction was highlighted as one of the key aspects everyone working in the sector has to be aware of.

Thanks to the unique nature of the summit, the event allowed experts from across various sectors and countries to freely discuss key topics in an intimate setting. The session culminated in a question and answer session and saw the audience leave with newly found knowledge and ideas, including a blueprint of the ideal grey market regulatory setup according to the combined expertise of everyone in the room.

Absence of Chinese VIP visitors shifting focus to mass and premium mass: Consultant

With projections for 2025 showing little improvement, operators are shifting their focus from the VIP segment, heavily impacted by the absence of Chinese visitors, to the mass and premium mass segments, gaming consultant Sudhir Kalé said today in the inaugural workshop session of the 2025 ASEAN Gaming Summit.

“Gaming revenues for jurisdictions such as the Philippines, and Australia are down in 2024, and the outlook for 2025 is similarly bleak. A large part of this drop is attributed to the lack of Chinese visitors, especially in the VIP segment. Operators are now looking to the mass and premium mass segments to make up the shortfall”, noted Kalé.

The gaming consultant held a workshop titled “How to Acquire, Retain and Grow the Right Customers: A Masterclass on Optimizing the Customer Experience” on Monday, in which he addressed key strategies for enhancing customer engagement, highlighting that the quality of “customer experience provided to players” is key.

Customer experience, according to the consultant, is driven by eight key components, namely: the culture of the organization, linkage analysis, artificial intelligence, servicescape, segmentation strategy, internal marketing, and companywide collaboration.

Sudhir Kalé has provided high-level consulting for operators such as Wynn Macau, Wynn Al Marjan, Galaxy Macau, Crown Resorts, Mohegan Sun, Casinos Austria, Sun International, the Olympic Entertainment Group and HIT.

The ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025 kicked off on Monday with a series of workshops, before the main event takes place March 18th to 19th at the Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Manila. The summit serves as a premier platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and exploring advancements in gaming technology, regulation, and market trends.

Coinciding with the Summit is the Asia Gaming Awards 2025, which will be held on March 18th at the Grand Ballroom of the same venue.

Australia’s Donaco considering full buyout offer by Hong Kong-based fund

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Australia-listed Donaco International Limited announced it has entered into a binding Scheme Implementation Deed (SID) with On Nut Road Limited (ONR) for a full buyout of all outstanding shares in Donaco.

ONR is an investment special purpose vehicle managed by Argyle Street Management Limited (ASM), a Hong Kong-licensed fund manager with more than $2 billion in assets under its management. ONR has been an investor in Donaco since 2019 and currently holds 12.84 percent of Donaco’s issued capital.

According to a filing with the ASX, the all-cash offer is set at AU$0.045 ($0.028) per share, valuing Donaco’s equity at approximately AU$55.59 million ($35.2 million). The offer represents a 50 percent premium on Donaco’s closing price of AU$0.0300 on March 14th, 2025. It also marks a 54.10 percent premium to the 90-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of AU$0.0292 ($0.018).

The Donaco Board has unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favor of the Scheme in the absence of a superior proposal and subject to an independent expert concluding that the Scheme is in the best interests of Donaco shareholders.

Donaco’s largest shareholders, Lee Bug Huy and Lee Bug Tong, who collectively hold 42.17 percent of the company’s issued capital, have indicated their support under the same conditions.

Donaco reported steady growth for the six months ending December 31st, 2024 (fiscal 1H25). Net revenue rose 12.2 percent year-on-year to AU$21.83 million ($14.19 million), while EBITDA increased 17 percent to AU$11.39 million ($7.4 million). Net profit after tax climbed 36.3 percent to AU$7.77 million ($5.05 million).

The company’s key properties, DNA Star Vegas and Aristo International Hotel, also saw gains during the period. DNA Star Vegas, located in Poipet, Cambodia — near the Thailand border — recorded AU$14.08 million ($9.15 million) in net revenue, up from AU$13.36 million ($8.68 million) from the second half of 2023. Aristo International Hotel, situated in Lao Cai, Vietnam, near the country’s border with China, posted stronger gains with net revenue reaching AU$7.76 million ($5.04 million), a 27.3 percent increase.

Donaco’s Non-Executive Chairman, Porntat Amatavivadhana, described the offer as providing compelling value for shareholders. He highlighted Donaco’s financial challenges, including narrow profit margins and limited investor confidence, which have hindered growth.

Amatavivadhana also pointed to operational concerns such as power supply disruptions along the Thailand-Cambodia border and the potential impact of Thailand’s new casino legislation as factors that could pose risks to Donaco’s future performance. He emphasized that the offer enables shareholders to realize value at an attractive premium while mitigating these uncertainties.

The date for the Scheme Meeting and further details will be announced soon.

BingoPlus soars high as a reliable platform in the gaming industry

BingoPlus, a digital entertainment platform in the Philippines, has steadily expanded its presence since its launch in 2022. The platform has grown rapidly in the market, attracting a user base of over 38 million Filipinos.

BingoPlus operates an application and a website, running numerous exciting games. Besides Bingo, there are poker, casino, and other games that remind you of being in a ‘perya’. Last year, BingoPlus introduced its latest game, Pinoy Drop Ball, which a lot of users find enjoyable. 

As BingoPlus grows its player base, it makes sure to prioritize ensuring the stability of its digital infrastructure, safeguarding user data, and maintaining system integrity. Technical issues are inevitable, such as glitches on both the application and website. This is why BingoPlus only hires the best professionals to create a solid and firm IT support system. 

In addition, BingoPlus is quick to respond to any issues encountered by its users through building trustworthy and accessible customer service. Employees undergo an intensive assessment by the management. Through regulating and strengthening the internal system of BingoPlus, the brand can ensure the user’s overall gaming experience and data security. 

Moreover, the jackpot prizes in BingoPlus have continued to increase. On January 10th, 2025, a lucky player won a massive jackpot of PHP312 million ($5.5 million) in total. To commemorate the record-breaking win, a special awarding ceremony took place. The PAGCOR-licensed gaming provider takes pride in the integrity and reliability of the brand. As it progresses and reaches significant heights in the gaming industry, the brand is being recognized by prominent media in the Philippines. 

Furthermore, BingoPlus has established a solid relationship with various media outlets. Therefore, BingoPlus is using these resources to disseminate significant milestones for the brand. With good exposure and credibility, they were able to form partnerships with both private and public organizations that substantiated their goals and vision. 

Sponsorships for partner events and activities are making a splash in the news. Miss Universe Philippines, LIV Golf League, Festivals like Sinulog, Dinagyang, and MassKara are just a few examples that come to mind. 

Thus, BingoPlus has established itself as a leading digital entertainment platform that players can trust. It can be attested to as fair and authentic, and it takes pride in its service. As BingoPlus is poised for continued growth, expands its offerings, forges partnerships with esteemed organizations, and achieves new milestones, it steadily remains reliable and strong in the gaming industry.

ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025 unveils power-packed agenda featuring industry leaders

The highly anticipated ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025 is back, bringing together top industry experts, thought leaders, and key stakeholders for an extensive exploration of the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the gaming sector.

The summit takes place at the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila BGC, from March 18th to 19th. Pre-event activities are being held today, March 17th, featuring two insightful workshops followed by a welcome reception in the afternoon.

Known for its high-caliber networking opportunities, the summit will provide a vital platform for knowledge-sharing and strategic discussions across the industry.

Kicking off the summit on March 18th at 9:00am, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro H. Tengco will deliver the much-awaited “State of the Industry Address,” offering valuable insights into the evolving gaming landscape in the Philippines.

Diverse topics drive discussion

The summit’s agenda will delve into key issues such as the evolving online gambling licensing landscape, strategies for overcoming KYC challenges in the Philippines, and insights into new market opportunities in regions such as Thailand, the UAE, and Japan.

Other sessions will examine the convergence of land-based and online gaming, the use of smart and intelligent gaming systems, and the role of non-gaming attractions in boosting revenue within Integrated Resorts. A special panel will also highlight the changing demographics in Asia and how operators are adapting to attract a younger audience.

Asia Gaming Awards celebrates industry excellence

The first day of the summit will conclude with the prestigious Asia Gaming Awards on the evening of March 18th, celebrating industry achievements and recognizing outstanding contributions across various gaming sectors.

For more information about the ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025 and to register for the event, please visit https://aseangaming.com/.

PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco to receive honorary Award at Asia Gaming Awards 2025

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Asia Gaming Brief is proud to announce that Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), will receive a special honorary award at the Asia Gaming Awards 2025

This accolade recognizes Mr. Tengco’s transformative leadership and significant contributions to the Philippine gaming industry.

Appointed as PAGCOR’s chief in 2022, Mr. Tengco has implemented strategic reforms that have revitalized the country’s gaming sector. Under his guidance, PAGCOR’s revenue reached a record PHP112 billion ($1.92 billion) in 2024, marking a 41 percent increase from the previous year.

The Asia Gaming Awards 2025 will be held on March 18th at the Grand Ballroom of the Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Manila. The event celebrates outstanding achievements across various sectors, including Land-based, Online, Regulatory, and Industry Voice categories.

This year, new award categories have been introduced, such as Regulatory Landmark, Reliability in Online Gaming, Compliance Solution, Casino Online Convergence, and Industry Choice awards, reflecting the evolving landscape of the gaming industry.

Coinciding with the awards ceremony is the ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025, scheduled from March 17th to 19th at the same venue. The summit serves as a premier platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and exploring advancements in gaming technology, regulation, and market trends.

Attendees can participate in panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions, gaining valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges within the gaming sector.

As the ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025 approaches, industry stakeholders and participants are reminded of the opportunity to engage with leaders like Mr. Tengco, who are shaping the future of gaming in the ASEAN region. The summit promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees, fostering collaboration and innovation in the gaming industry.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Macau CE warns of potential fiscal revenue shortfall for 2025

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Good morning. Tightening the belt. Macau’s Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai, warned that the city’s 2025 fiscal revenue may be lower than expected due to a slow gaming industry, emphasizing the need for significant development projects to address economic challenges. Meanwhile, Melco International is expecting an asset impairment as high as HK$1 billion ($128.6 million) due to its Studio City integrated resort. The group is now projecting a net loss ranging from HK$1.5 billion ($192.2 million) to HK$1.7 billion ($218.1 million) for 2024.


What you need to know


ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025

On the radar


AGB Intelligence

MACAU

Gaming industry slowdown threatens Macau’s 2025 revenue projections

Macau’s Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai, cautioned that the city’s 2025 fiscal revenue may fall below expectations due to a slow start in the gaming industry, highlighting the need for major development projects to stimulate future growth, although specific revised revenue figures were not disclosed. Earlier projections estimated Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) for 2025 at MOP240 billion ($29.7 billion), an increase of about 11 percent from the 2024 budget forecast of MOP216 billion.


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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.


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Play’n GO Music & MoneyGram Haas F1 Team drop the Ultimate Race Day Playlist

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Play’n GO Music has teamed up once again with the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team to bring fans the ultimate watch party playlist called Lights out & Listen Up! —just in time for the start of the 2025 season in Melbourne. 

Packed with high-energy tracks, this playlist is designed to fuel the adrenaline of motorsport enthusiasts as they watch the world’s best drivers battle it out on the track.   

Lights Out & Listen Up! blends rock, electronic, hip-hop, and pop, delivering an electrifying mix that mirrors the speed, intensity, and thrill of the sport. Featuring classic hits and modern anthems from Kasabian, Charli XCX, Sia, Chappell Roan, and more, the playlist captures the essence of high-octane competition and the passion of racing fans worldwide. 
“Music and motorsport share the same pulse—high energy, high stakes, and an unforgettable experience. This Playlist is all about bringing fans closer to that thrill, whether they’re at the track or watching from home,” said Erryn Gracey, Brand Expansion Lead at Play’n GO.