Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached approximately MOP3.5 billion ($437 million) during the first six days of April, according to Citigroup’s latest investment memo.
This represents a daily run-rate of around MOP583 million ($72.7 million), approximately 8 percent below the MOP632 million ($78.8 million) daily rate from late March.
Analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau note this slowdown is expected, as April typically sees reduced activity before the Labor Day holidays in early May.
Industry sources report VIP volumes fell 6-7 percent month-over-month, while Mass GGR decreased 7-8 percent. Citigroup maintains its April 2025 GGR forecast at MOP18 billion (76 percent of April 2019 levels, down 3 percent year-over-year), assuming daily revenue of approximately MOP604 million ($75.4 million) for the remainder of the month.
In a separate note, Macquarie Equity Research analysts suggest the recent crackdown on illegal money changers will negatively impact April’s GGR.
As reported by AGB, Macau’s Judiciary Police recently dismantled two cross-border criminal syndicates operating illegal money exchange services through jewelry and pawn shops near casinos, arresting 42 individuals. The scheme involved nearly HK$800 million ($103 million), generating illicit profits exceeding HK$21 million ($2.7 million).
The Star Entertainment Group has confirmed that its largest shareholder, Investment Holdings Pty Ltd—controlled by the Mathieson family—will subscribe for AU$100 million ($60.5 million) as part of the previously announced AU$300 million ($180.8 million) investment.
On Monday, The Star revealed a binding term sheet with Bally’s Corporation for a multi-tranche convertible note and subordinated debt instrument totaling AU$300 million ($180.8 million). This investment is intended to bolster The Star’s financial position.
In a subsequent announcement on Tuesday, The Star disclosed a commitment letter with Investment Holdings. Under this agreement, Investment Holdings will contribute AU$100 million ($60.5 million) to the capital raise.
As a result, Bally’s investment will be adjusted to AU$200 million ($121 million), while the total principal value of the transaction remains unchanged at AU$300 million ($180.8 million).
According to the agreement, Bally’s AU$300 million funding will be delivered in two parts. The first AU$100 million is expected by April 9th, 2025. The remaining AU$200 million is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, with payment timelines potentially extending to October 7th, 2025, depending on the progress of those approvals.
This includes convertible notes representing 9.71 percent and 4.85 percent of The Star’s pre-issue capital in the initial tranche, alongside subordinated debt.
ZITRO continues to strengthen its presence in the Mexican market through a partnership with the esteemed operator Logrand, showcasing its innovative CONCEPT cabinets and latest game offerings at the New York Casino in Monterrey, Mexico.
Building on its global success, the CONCEPT cabinet line stands out for its Magic Lighting, immersing players in a synchronized light display, resulting in a unique sensory experience. Furthermore, the cabinet’s large Screen Deck blends comfort with intuitive functionality, optimizing the experience for players and operational teams.
The installation of the CONCEPT cabinets is complemented by the addition of the medieval-themed multi-game Legendary Sword, in which players can double their prizes through unique mechanics with the help of a magic sword.
On the other hand, Fairyland Quest takes players to an enchanted forest where Magic Mushrooms give access to a different bonus each, while a friendly Fairy will give a special bonus that doubles the playing area.
Juan David Baracaldo, Director of Operations and Product, highlighted: “The addition of Zitro’s CONCEPT cabinets is a great step to continue offering unique and high-quality experiences to our players. The unique combination of technology, spectacular graphics, and the experience these cabinets offer will further elevate our casino’s entertainment offering.”
Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, expressed: “We are very excited to strengthen our partnership with Logrand, a strategic partner that shares our vision of providing exceptional gaming experiences. The new CONCEPT cabinets and games like Legendary Sword and Fairyland Quest are just the beginning of what will transform how players enjoy entertainment.”
RubyPlay, an innovative B2B iGaming development studio, has delivered its full catalogue of award-winning slot games to StarCasinò, a part of Betsson Group’s Italian empire.
The partnership marks a significant milestone for RubyPlay, with the provider launching its full comprehensive portfolio with a leading operator in Italy for the first time.
RubyPlay’s entire game library, including its flagship titles such as Go High® Gallina, Immortal Ways® Diamonds SE, and Diamond Explosions® 7s SE, have been made available on StarCasinò’s online platform. The integration will take place over the course of a month, with three titles being released on the operator’s site each day.
Betsson Group has been a key player in Italy’s iGaming market since acquiring its licence in 2011 and launching the iconic StarCasinò brand. The inclusion of RubyPlay’s full suite of content on the operator platform highlights the strong appeal of the company’s games within the Italian regulated market, delivering high-quality entertainment to a broad audience of players.
Dr. Eyal Loz, Chief Product Officer at RubyPlay,said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see our full game portfolio go live in Italy with StarCasinò. This marks a key moment in RubyPlay’s growth as we deepen our presence in the market with one of the most respected operators. With a strong rollout plan in place and daily new game launches, we’re confident that Italian players will enjoy the rich variety and immersive experiences our games offer.”
Fabio Denegri, Head of Gaming & Sports Italy at Betsson Group, stated: “We are extremely pleased to introduce the provider, Rubyplay, into our portfolio. With its innovative titles and variety of mechanics, we are confident that Rubyplay will win the hearts of our users, adding significant value to our online gaming offering. We are proud to be the first in Italy to host RubyPlay’s full suite of games, and we’re excited to see how our players engage with these thrilling new titles.”
Playson, a leading digital entertainment supplier, continues to strengthen its European market presence by launching its games portfolio with the Latvian operator Fenikss.
Operating under the industry-renowned NOVOMATIC group, Fenikss is one of Latvia’s leading operators with a vast online and land-based slot offering and comprehensive sportsbook.
The agreement sees Playson support Fenikss’ commercial ambitions and expansion strategy with the supplier’s leading titles, including Royal Coins 2: Hold and Win, Book of Gold: Multichance, and Royal Joker: Hold and Win, now available on the operator’s website.
Playson continues to strengthen its European footprint and the latest integration, facilitated by Relax Gaming’s aggregation platform, underlines the supplier’s commitment to establishing itself within highly mature regulated markets.
Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “We are pleased to enjoy further growth in Europe with this exciting partnership with Fenikss, who will benefit from an array of our strongest performing titles. We are confident Fenikss’ significant Latvian presence, combined with our stimulating and graphically driven slots, will lead to impressive business growth.
Martins Opmanis, Head of I-Gaming Department at Fenikss, added: “Playson’s slots continue to be in high demand across Europe and we are delighted to host a selection of their titles on our online platform. The Fenikss team is certain that Playson will complement our diverse offering perfectly and look forward to watching this collaboration flourish.”
Testronic, a global provider of world-class Quality Assurance services, has announced the official opening of its new state-of-the-art testing facility in Manila, Philippines. Situated in the prestigious Mega Tower in Mandaluyong City, the world-class location is designed to ensure the delivery of QA services of the highest quality to clients around the world.
It is fully supported by leading-edge security and home to some of the most experienced and passionate testers in the region. Located in the heart of Ortigas, one of Metro Manila’s major business districts, the new Testronic office is highly accessible for both international clients and employees.
Within this space, the team of skilled game testers are supported by full-scale infrastructure for both day and night shifts. This includes dedicated IT support, comfortable break areas and recreation zones, plus multiple workstations designed for comfort and efficiency.
Security, both digital and physical, is paramount for the Manila team and its clients, with measures including 24/7 CCTV surveillance at all entry and exit points, encrypted PC hard drives, lockers for personal devices and much more. Each project at the facility has its own private room with secure door access, ensuring confidentiality and focus.
Led by industry veteran Ralph Quiambao, Testronic’s APAC Program Director, the Manila-based QA Testing team brings a wealth of experience from top game studios, blending design intuition with technical expertise. The primary focus of the team is to deliver best-in-class Functionality QA (FQA) services to clients worldwide, across mobile, PC, and console platforms.
Testronic places a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, firmly believing that happy testers deliver superior results. The office is designed with comfort and creativity in mind, featuring thoughtfully designed leisure and break-out facilities for employees. Individual work pods, private meeting rooms, and 4K-equipped conference rooms ensure productivity and privacy. Each meeting space is optimised for high-resolution video conferencing with Microsoft Teams integration, allowing seamless collaboration across global teams.
Ralph Quiambao, Testronic’s APAC Program Director said: “Testronic now has 2,000 employees worldwide and, by opening our new office, we are adding the capacity for 360 additional professionals. I’ve been leading the QA team here for 12 years and games are more than just a job for us. It’s our passion. Every day our teams here are playing games, both professionally and personally. I may be biased, but it’s this passion that makes us the perfect place for QA. This deep-rooted dedication means our clients benefit from sharper insights, faster turnarounds, and the highest quality testing standards in the industry.”
Adam Keating, Testronic’s Senior VP of Sales & Marketing, added: “Opening our new QA testing facility in Manila marks a major milestone in Testronic’s continued growth. As demand for top-tier QA services rises globally, our expanded presence in the Philippines allows us to better support our partners with scalable, high-quality solutions. This expansion is not just about infrastructure — it’s about investing in people and passion. We’re excited to demonstrate to our clients the high level of QA services our team at Manila can provide.”
Testronic’s new Manila office is fully aligned with the company’s deep commitment to excellence in video game testing, combining world-class talent, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a secure, employee-first environment — all designed to deliver even greater value and reliability to our clients, right from the heart of one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant cities.
FeedConstruct, a leading provider of sports betting solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with GRID Esports (GRID), a pioneer in esports data and services. This collaboration will see FeedConstruct leveraging GRID’s advanced esports scouting data to enhance the speed and accuracy of its odds feed.
By integrating GRID’s official esports live data into its trading team’s operations, FeedConstruct ensures its odds feed remains highly accurate and reliable. This improvement will not only augment FeedConstruct’s exclusive offerings but also provide betting operators with a competitive edge through fast and precise odds.
Narek Harutyunyan, CEO of FeedConstruct, commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to welcome GRID as a partner. This collaboration allows us to enhance our odds feed offering with their esports scouting data, and we look forward to working together to deliver valuable solutions to our clients in the sports betting industry. We are confident this partnership will benefit sports betting operators and providers worldwide, empowering them to stand out in the market.”
As part of this partnership, GRID will supply FeedConstruct with data and livestreams for leading esports titles such as League of Legends, VALORANT, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Dota 2, BLAST, and Rainbow Six Siege.
“We’re thrilled to partner with FeedConstruct and extend our data solutions across the entire ecosystem,” said Mikael Westerling, Chief Strategy Officer at GRID. “Our mission has always been to provide the most reliable, real-time esports data, and this partnership represents a significant milestone in bringing professional-grade esports insights to a global betting audience.”
This partnership underscores both FeedConstruct’s and GRID’s commitment to delivering high-quality data solutions and leveraging advanced technology to meet the evolving demands of the sports and esports betting ecosystems. Together, the companies are setting new standards and providing valuable tools for operators and providers worldwide.
Asia’s gaming pulse beats strong in Manila. This June we’re gathering the best in business: from top government officials and seasoned C-levels to big name influencers – SiGMA Asia 2025 is leading the charge for change.
NEXT Summit Valletta is the beating heart of iGaming. This week-long event festival shapes our industry’s future through unparalleled networking, opportunities to tap into emerging markets, insights from 300 industry-leading voices, and a showcase of the world’s best iGaming innovations.
NEXT Summit: Valletta 2025 will occur on 7-8 May at the Mediterranean Conference Center in Valletta, Malta. More than 6,000 delegates will be part of iGaming’s leading operator-led event.
Fliggy, an online travel platform and wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group, has revealed notable trends in outbound travel during the recent three-day Ching Ming Festival holiday period, with some major Asian gaming destinations among the top choice destinations for Chinese tourists.
According to the travel platform, this year, many travelers strategically took four additional days off before the holiday scheduled for April 3rd to 5th, resulting in nine-day international getaways. Outbound bookings for departures just two days prior to the holiday saw a remarkable 20 percent increase year-over-year.
The surge in demand for international travel was particularly evident during the holiday itself, with overseas attraction ticket bookings rising by 56 percent. International cruises experienced a staggering 172 percent increase, while overseas train ticket bookings skyrocketed by an impressive 293 percent.
Top destinations for outbound travelers included Japan, Hong Kong SAR, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Macau SAR, France, and Australia. Additionally, emerging destinations such as Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, the Netherlands, and Italy are gaining traction among adventurous travelers looking for unique experiences.
In addition to the outbound travel boom, Fliggy’s insights also reflected shifts in domestic travel. Average spending per traveler increased by nearly 5 percent year-over-year, with medium-distance road trips dominating the landscape.
