SkyCity sees stark drop in net profit for 2H24 due to lower visitor spend

New Zealand

AGBrief Editorial

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February 20, 2025

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SkyCity sees stark drop in net profit for 2H24 due to lower visitor spend

New Zealand and Australia gaming operator SkyCity Entertainment Group has announced that it saw a 41.5 percent drop in underlying total net profit for the last six months of 2024, largely due to the settlement with South Australia due to its gaming duty.

According to the group’s most recent financials, group revenue fell by 5 percent, on lower spend per visit, topping out at AU$422 million during the period.

Group EBITDA was down by 2 percent, amounting to AU$11.3.1 million.

Despite the slight downturn in results, SkyCity remains optimistic, noting that it has a solid balance sheet and customer visitation levels remain strong.

It also promotes the opening of the New Zealand International Convention Center (NZICC) – scheduled for a February 2026 opening.

New Zealand International Convention Center, NZICC, New Zealand

The group that its macros for the period were affected by ‘lower spending resulting from challenging macro-economic conditions’.

Speaking of the results, Chief Executive Officer Jason Walbridge noted “We continue to operate in challenging market conditions with subdued consumer confidence, so we’re pleased to see strength in our visitation numbers as people continue to enjoy coming to SKyCity for their entertainment”.

The executive notes the continued focus on tourism both in Australia and New Zealand, noting that the company has a “big part to play in the tourism sector”, while highlighting the opening of the NZICC.

Group NPAT for the period was down by 73 percent yearly, as a result of interest costs due to the ‘long-standing gaming duty matter with Revenue South Australia’.

However the group lauded its hotel performance, in particular that of Horizon Hotel in Auckland, noting it is “outperforming the market in terms of occupancy”, with further expected strength after the opening of NZICC.

These talks included efforts to rescue Chinese citizens who have fallen victim to such crimes. Ambassador Han noted that during Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s recent trip to China, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to jointly tackle online gambling and related criminal activities.

This collaboration is not new; previous meetings have laid the groundwork for this partnership.

China’s President Xi Jinping recently expressed concerns regarding Thailand’s plan to legalize casinos, highlighting potential social issues that could arise from such a move.

This comment was made during a meeting with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who confirmed that Xi sought further details about the proposed casino-entertainment complex.

As Chinese tourists represent a significant source of visitors to Thailand, Xi’s input is particularly important given China’s strict policies on gambling and its ongoing crackdown on illegal gaming operations.

In late 2023, Thai and Chinese officials convened to discuss increasing cooperation on law enforcement, which included sharing intelligence related to transnational crimes. These initial discussions highlighted the growing concern over the proliferation of online gambling platforms that operate outside legal frameworks, endangering citizens in both countries.

The law enforcement agencies of Thailand and China have already initiated collaborative actions, leading to promising outcomes.

For instance, coordinated raids on illegal gambling operations have resulted in significant arrests and the dismantling of several fraud rings. Han expressed optimism for future cooperation, emphasizing the need for a robust mechanism to enhance joint efforts against cross-border crimes that threaten public safety and economic stability.

In their response, Phumtham and Maris reiterated Thailand’s proactive stance on international cooperation in fighting transnational crimes. They announced a series of effective measures already implemented, including increased surveillance and stricter penalties for offenders.

The Thai government aims to create a safer environment for its citizens and visitors alike, enhancing regional security.

Furthermore, both countries are exploring avenues to share intelligence and resources, which could lead to the development of a more comprehensive approach to combating online crimes. This collaboration is seen as essential not only for protecting citizens but also for fostering trust and stability in the region.

Macau’s overdependence on gaming will be hard to overcome in the short term: CE

Macau

Viviana Chan

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February 20, 2025

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Macau’s overdependence on gaming will be hard to overcome in the short term: CE

Macau’s long-standing reliance on its gaming industry remains a significant challenge to achieving economic diversification, admits Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai.

During the first plenary session of the 2025 Economic Development Commission on Wednesday, Sam acknowledged that the structural issue of a gaming-dominated economy is unlikely to change fundamentally in the near future.

Despite efforts to promote diversification, Macau’s local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still face common challenges, while initiatives such as the development of Hengqin through Guangdong-Macau cooperation have yet to yield the desired economic transformation.

In a candid statement, Sam emphasized the difficulty of changing Macau’s economic structure, noting that the path to diversification is far from smooth.

“The issue of Macau’s overdependence on the gaming industry is a structural problem that will be difficult to solve in the foreseeable future,” he said.

This is the first time that Macau’s top official has been so direct about the current situation. Just one or two years ago, officials advocated that Macau was no longer a gaming hub, citing that the main purpose of visits was no longer gaming-related.

The reality is that gaming recovered rapidly after COVID, while other sectors in Macau, especially SMEs, lagged behind. In 2024, the situation worsened due to a significant outflow of local consumers to mainland China.

In this context, Sam pointed out that these persistent issues, along with new challenges emerging in the wake of shifting economic conditions, require immediate attention and thoughtful solutions.

At the meeting, Sam called for a collaborative approach to addressing these challenges. He urged members of the Economic Development Committee and other sectors of society to work together to develop realistic and effective solutions. He encouraged more constructive, feasible, and long-term proposals that would benefit Macau’s overall economic development.

Looking ahead, Sam emphasized that 2025 will be a pivotal year for Macau, marking the beginning of the sixth-term Special Administrative Region (SAR) government. He committed to coordinating efforts to drive the region’s economic and social development.

“We must work together to stabilize the economy while also finding ways to invigorate it and push for positive economic growth,” the official said.

He highlighted the need for a forward-thinking approach—one that leverages innovation and reform to drive diversified economic development. This includes advancing cooperation with hopes of achieving new breakthroughs in the Guangdong-Macau Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Sam expressed his desire to enhance the involvement and sense of gain for both industry players and residents, ensuring a more inclusive path to prosperity.

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The games comprise more than 490 slot machines as well as Poker, Roulette, Black Jack, Baccarat and the typically Portuguese dice game French Bank. It is a casino with a rich history, deeply rooted in the international entertainment and show business and popular with local guests and tourists alike.

Casino Estoril advances with visionary NOVOVISION CMS implementation

NOVOVISION was implemented at the Casino Estoril with a premium suite of functionalities, enhancing the business processes as well as the player journey with the manifold tools of NV core, access, pay, promo, smart, tables and more. Brand-new NOVOVISION Self Registration Terminals facilitate fast player access to the gaming floor while maintaining the highest security standards.

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Marcos Pinto, Managing Director Diverstock, added: “On behalf of the Diverstock team, I would like to thank all involved for the excellent work and support along the entire process. It was admirable to see the synchronized way in which the different teams, from different entities, have managed to work together and carried out an implementation plan in half the scheduled time. Witnessing at close quarters the quality of the work carried out by all the teams involved was extremely gratifying. Special thanks to Dr. Bruno Ferreira and the Executive Committee of Estoril Sol for giving us the opportunity to be part of an ambitious but necessary process of modernizing their operations.”

Bruno Ferreira, Estoril Sol — _{Bruno Ferreira, Gaming Manager at Casinos Lisboa and Estoril}

Dr. Bruno Ferreira, Gaming Manager at Casinos Lisboa and Estoril, said: “With this implementation Estoril Sol completes the systems migration in both properties. System-wise we have a robust solution and will be able to transform our customers’ journey and experience. The migration process was once again quick and efficient. I would like to thank NOVOMATIC’s management team for their support throughout the process, and their entire operational team involved in this implementation.”

“I also need to thank Diverstock, Estoril Sol’s long-standing partner, for their commitment and support throughout the process. Once again Estoril Sol team was up to the challenge and exceeded themselves. Together they were all crucial to the success of this implementation.”

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Indian online gaming organizations join forces to combat offshore betting ads

India

Nelson Moura

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February 19, 2025

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Indian online gaming organizations join forces to combat offshore betting ads

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with several key organizations in the online gaming sector in order to tackle the rising concerns regarding illegal betting and gambling advertisements from offshore entities.

This partnership includes the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and it officially took effect on January 2nd, 2025.

The ASCI, established in 1985, is dedicated to self-regulation in advertising, ensuring consumer protection and adherence to advertising standards. The council collaborates with various government bodies to promote responsible advertising practices across all media.

The MoU establishes a framework for a special monitoring cell dedicated to identifying and reporting illegal offshore betting and gambling advertisements to relevant government ministries.

Additionally, the cell will monitor real-money gaming (RMG) advertisements that may violate ASCI guidelines. This collaboration aims to enhance compliance within the RMG industry while exposing illegal advertisements.

Since the MoU’s implementation, ASCI has flagged 413 offshore betting ads to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and processed 12 real-money gaming ads for potential violations of the ASCI Code. Prior to this initiative, from April 2023 to March 2024, ASCI had flagged 1,336 ads, prompting the Ministry to take action against various platforms.

Indian state laws prohibit gambling and offshore betting, rendering advertisements for these activities illegal. However, online RMG, which relies on skill, is permitted in most states, and its advertising is thus allowed.

Some offshore operators misleadingly present themselves as legitimate gaming entities, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring and reporting.

“Indian consumers are exposed to numerous ads from offshore betting companies that lack accountability. Several Indian celebrities have also been featured in these advertisements. Given that gambling ads are prohibited in many parts of the country, their prevalence violates the law. ASCI aims to bring these issues to the attention of regulators for necessary action”, Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General of ASCI, emphasized in an announcement.

Industry leaders expressed their commitment to responsible advertising practices, with Neil Castelino, CEO of FIFS, adding that “the collaboration is crucial to ensure that Indian consumers are not misled by illegal platforms”, while Anuraag Saxena, CEO of the E-Gaming Federation, noted that “Indian citizens have suffered at the hands of unscrupulous operators for years”.

In the same statement Roland Landers, CEO of AIGF, highlighted the federation’s long-standing commitment to responsible gaming practices, noting that this MoU is a pivotal step towards protecting consumers and fostering ethical advertising.

SkyCity sees stark drop in net profit for 2H24 due to lower visitor spend

New Zealand and Australia gaming operator SkyCity Entertainment Group has announced that it saw a 41.5 percent drop in underlying total net profit for the last six months of 2024, largely due to the settlement with South Australia due to its gaming duty.

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Thailand will strengthen cooperation with China to tackle online gambling crimes

Thai officials emphasized that the nation is intensifying its cooperation with China to tackle transnational crimes, particularly online gambling and fraud.

Macau’s overdependence on gaming will be hard to overcome in the short term: CE

Macau’s long-standing reliance on its gaming industry remains a significant challenge to achieving economic diversification, admits Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai.

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PAGCOR affirms support for Special Class Business Process Outsourcing firms

The Philippines gaming regulator (PAGCOR) has affirmed its support for Special Class Business Process Outsourcing (SCBPOs), amongst the ongoing crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

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Aristocrat Gaming launches thrilling new slot: House of the Dragon

Aristocrat Gaming, a leading slot machine and casino game manufacturer, has announced the launch of the eagerly awaited House of the Dragon slot game, set to captivate casino floors across the U.S.

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Casino Estoril implements innovative NOVOVISION CMS

Following the successful go-live at its sister casino in Lisbon, the renowned Casino Estoril has now implemented the NOVOVISION casino management system, establishing a futureproof backbone for its business and enhancing both customer service and experience to the fullest.

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Pragmatic Play hits the jackpot with Immersive Roulette Deluxe

Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, has announced the release of Immersive Roulette Deluxe, which enhances a player favourite with cinematic slow-motion replays of the ball coming to rest in the wheel.

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Altenar releases Bet Builder Boost to enhance sportsbook portfolio

Altenar, a leading sports betting and iGaming software provider, has expanded its product offering with the launch of Bet Builder Boost, a powerful new feature designed to elevate the Bet Builder experience for both operators and players.

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Yggdrasil and Bitpunch dominate the reels in new King Power release

**Yggdrasil, along with newest YGG Masters partner Bitpunch, showcases unlimited win multipliers and epic features set upon seriously regal reels in its collaborative new release, King Power.**

Indian online gaming organizations join forces to combat offshore betting ads

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with several key organizations in the online gaming sector in order to tackle the rising concerns regarding illegal betting and gambling advertisements from offshore entities.

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