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Wynn reportedly weighs delay to UAE casino resort opening

Viviana Chan
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Wynn reportedly weighs delay to UAE casino resort opening

Wynn Resorts is reportedly considering postponing the opening of its Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort in the United Arab Emirates due to construction disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran, according to a Bloomberg report citing a person familiar with the company’s plans.

The $5.1 billion resort, located on Al Marjan Island in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, was scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027, less than one year from its launch. The development is being led by Wynn alongside local partners and is set to become the first casino resort in the region.

Wynn said in mid-March that it had resumed construction in Ras Al Khaimah after a brief suspension. At the time, the company said it was assessing the status of construction materials awaiting delivery and exploring alternative ports for sourcing supplies.

According to Bloomberg, the presence of attack drones and missiles in the area had disrupted work and contributed to weaker tourism demand.

Prior to the recent regional tensions, Wynn had outlined plans to accelerate recruitment for the property ahead of its targeted 2027 opening. The company said Wynn Al Marjan Island aimed to hire around 2,700 employees before launch, with total staffing expected to approach 3,000 by December 2026.

The project forms part of broader entertainment and tourism development efforts in the UAE. Rival operator MGM Resorts International is also developing a hotel project in Dubai.

Speaking during an April 29th earnings call, MGM Chief Executive Officer Bill Hornbuckle said tourism activity in the region had weakened amid geopolitical tensions.

“The tourism business in that particular neck of the world is down to like 15%, give or take,” Hornbuckle said. “I’d say different occupancies are down to that level. So it will take some recovery time no matter what happens here over the next couple of months. But long-term, we remain very excited.”

Wynn is scheduled to report quarterly earnings on Thursday.

IGT to highlight Gaming and FinTech innovations at G2E Asia 2026

AGBrief Editorial
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IGT to highlight Gaming and FinTech innovations at G2E Asia 2026

IGT has announced it will showcase a dynamic lineup of market‑attuned gaming and FinTech solutions at G2E Asia 2026, taking place May 12–14 at The Venetian Macao.

Hector Fernandez, IGT CEO
Hector Fernandez

With the theme “TOGETHER – Built to Win,” IGT will showcase its growing MLP linked portfolio and the combined power of Everi’s FinTech products and the IGT ADVANTAGE™ casino management system.

“As the region’s largest gaming technology showcase, G2E Asia 2026 is an opportunity for IGT to demonstrate how combining IGT systems and Everi’s FinTech products can introduce incremental value to our customers in Asia and enhance the player journey,” said Hector Fernandez, IGT CEO.

Visitors to IGT’s stand #A801 at G2E Asia can expect:

Market‑focused linked MLP games

G2E Asia will be a showcase for IGT’s global MLP sensations Money Gong™ Link and new Rising Rockets™ base-game themes, Prince and Princess. Both titles will be demonstrated on the PeakCurve49™ cabinet, along with the brand extension Cash Cove™ Lucky Catch Trio and the Asia-targeted three-pot game, San Xing Gao Zhao™ Link. G2E Asia 2026 will also be the global debut for the Firework Link™ game on the PeakDual™27 cabinet. This explosively fun linked MLP includes two base game themes with distinctive math models, inventive mechanics and multiple, scalable bonuses.

IGT to highlight Gaming and FinTech innovations at G2E Asia 2026
Versatile cash-handling and promotional technologies

Everi’s cash‑handling technologies and jackpot‑processing tools—built for seamless integration with multiple CMSs—will be a focal point of IGT’s G2E Asia showcase. Featured products include the award‑winning Everi Premium CRT and Mini CRT for friction‑free, tap‑enabled transactions, alongside Everi QuickDraw™, a cloud‑based promotional drawing solution, and Everi Jackpot Xpress®, a customizable jackpot‑tracking and payout module.

Next-generation systems architecture with IGT ADVANTAGE X
Next-generation systems architecture with IGT ADVANTAGE X

The Company will demonstrate how the IGT ADVANTAGE X CMS can drive operator value and player convenience throughout Asia. IGT’s Systems team will highlight IGT ADVANTAGE X’s new bus-based system architecture that helps improve network speed, stability, connectivity, and uptime.

The CMS enhancement enables quick transfer of data to or from the gaming floor, supporting seamless system-wide upgrades, content downloads, service window content, and more.

  

Hector Fernandez added: “We will also showcase a localized lineup of proven IGT titles—including Rising Rockets, Money Gong and Cash Cove—underscoring our commitment to high‑performing content and supporting our customers in diversifying their gaming floors across the region.”

Zitro Digital names Thiago Valadão to lead Brazilian market expansion

AGBrief Editorial
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Zitro Digital names Thiago Valadão to lead Brazilian market expansion

Zitro Digital has announced the appointment of Thiago Valadão as Commercial Director for Brazil, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion across Latin America’s fastest-growing iGaming market.

Thiago brings extensive experience in gaming technology and business development, having spent the past few years leading commercial operations for major iGaming platforms and technology providers across Brazil and Latin America. His expertise in building partnerships, driving market expansion, and supporting business growth in regulated markets will be key as Zitro Digital expands its presence in the region.

“I’m thrilled to join Zitro Digital at such an exciting time for this market,” said Thiago Valadão. “Zitro’s Brazilian roots make this especially meaningful, as the company truly understands the local player. Combining that with their proven success in the land-based market, my goal is to bring that same excellence to the iGaming space, leveraging our deep understanding of the region to establish Zitro Digital as a key player in the country.”

Michael Bauer, CEO of Zitro Digital, shared: “Thiago is a fantastic addition to our team as we strengthen our position in Latin America. Having someone with his expertise and local knowledge will be invaluable as we expand Zitro Digital’s offering to Brazilian players.”

Shikenso joins forces with Team Falcons to enhance sponsorship intelligence

AGBrief Editorial
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Shikenso joins forces with Team Falcons to enhance sponsorship intelligence

Shikenso has partnered with Team Falcons, the Saudi esports powerhouse and back‑to‑back Esports World Cup Club champions, bringing AI‑powered sponsorship analytics to one of the industry’s most commercially active organisations.

Founded in 2017 by Musaad “Msdossary” Al Dossary, Team Falcons has grown into a globally recognized force across competitive gaming. The organisation competes at the highest levels in titles including Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Rocket League, and Warzone, fielding rosters across MENA, EMEA, and Asian regions.

Team Falcons

With consecutive Esports World Cup Club Championship titles in 2024 and 2025, and the “Best Esports Organisation” award to its name for two consecutive years, Falcons has set the benchmark for professional esports on the global stage.

Under the agreement, which runs for the full 2026 season, Shikenso will deliver sponsorship analytics across Team Falcons’ 22 squads and all tournament participations, covering video analysis across Twitch, YouTube, and Kick, social media monitoring across Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, and audio analysis supported by monthly reporting throughout the season. 

Musaad Al Dossary, Team Falcons
Musaad Al Dossary

“Data is the backbone of modern esports,” said Musaad Al Dossary, CEO at Team Falcons. By leveraging Shikenso’s advanced analytics platform, we are providing our partners with unparalleled transparency and measurable value. This partnership reinforces our commitment to professionalising the MENA esports ecosystem and delivering world-class results for our fans and stakeholders alike.”

Commenting on the landmark partnership, Arwin Fallah-Shirazi, Co-CEO & Co-Founder at Shikenso, shared: “Team Falcons represents exactly the kind of organisation that sets the standard for professional esports. Their ambition, their global reach, and their commitment to delivering real commercial value all align with what Shikenso stands for. We are proud to support that mission with the analytics infrastructure to back it up,” Arwin Fallah-Shirazi, Co-CEO & Co-Founder at Shikenso.

As esports evolves, top organisations such as Team Falcons are expected to deliver clear, data‑backed sponsorship reporting—making partnerships like this increasingly essential.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: DigiPlus hit by e-wallet changes, profit down 33%

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: DigiPlus hit by e-wallet changes, profit down 33%
Good morning. Change reshapes the landscape. DigiPlus saw first-quarter net income fall 33 percent to $45.5 million as regulatory shifts disrupted payment channels and weaker consumer sentiment linked to a global fuel crisis weighed on performance in the Philippines. The company is responding with greater investment in its proprietary platforms and overseas growth initiatives. Meanwhile, Macau recorded 873,000 visitor arrivals during the Labor Day holiday, with mainland travelers accounting for 83 percent of inbound visitors. Looking to New Zealand, authorities are advancing a new online casino licensing regime backed by stronger enforcement powers.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

PHILIPPINES

Digiplus Interactive Corp Philippines

DigiPlus 1Q profit down 33% on e-wallet restrictions

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. reported a 33 percent year-on-year drop in 1Q26 net income to $45.5 million, while EBITDA fell 42 percent to $42.3 million and revenue declined 25 percent to $279.6 million. The company attributed the weaker performance to regulatory restrictions on e-wallet access to gaming platforms and softer consumer sentiment linked to a global fuel crisis. Despite this, net income rose 15 percent quarter-on-quarter on derivative gains.

Industry Updates

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AGEM Index rises 3.5% MoM in April, led by Aristocrat and Crane NXT

AGBrief Editorial
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AGEM Index rises 3.5% MoM in April, led by Aristocrat and Crane NXT

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) Index increased by 3.5 percent month-on-month in April 2026, rising 51.64 points to 1,523.84, supported by gains from a majority of constituent companies and stronger performance across major U.S. equity markets.

Compared with April 2025, however, the index was down 12.5 percent, or 218.45 points.

According to the latest data, five of the nine companies included in the index reported higher stock prices during the month, resulting in six positive contributions and three negative contributions to the index.

AGEM Index increases 3.5 percent in April 2026

The largest positive contributor was Aristocrat Leisure Limited, whose stock price rose 4.3 percent during April, contributing 53.53 points to the index gain. Crane NXT also posted a strong performance, with its stock price increasing 10.1 percent and adding 7.93 points to the index.

The largest negative contributor was Konami Corp.. Its stock price declined 2.2 percent during the month, reducing the AGEM Index by 6.24 points.

Broader U.S. equity markets also advanced in April. The NASDAQ rose 15.3 percent from the prior month, while the S&P 500 gained 10.4 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 7.1 percent over the same period.

Abelson Sports and Odds Composer unite to supercharge player prop odds

AGBrief Editorial
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Abelson Sports and Odds Composer unite to supercharge player prop odds

Leading sports data innovator Abelson Sports has joined forces with Odds Composer, broadening its partner network and elevating basketball market capabilities.

Under the agreement, Odds Composer will make its proprietary basketball player prop markets available to Abelson’s operator partners via the established Abelson feed format. While Odds Composer provides coverage for professional leagues worldwide, a primary focus will be the delivery of high-quality player props for European basketball, a sector identified as having significant growth potential for operators.

Sportsbook solutions provider Odds Composer was founded by experienced industry professionals from top-tier operators and trading teams. The company develops its entire stack in-house, including data modelling and trading, ensuring full control over the quality and flexibility of its markets. The partnership with Abelson enables sportsbooks to unlock new leagues and significantly broaden their content depth beyond standard US-centric offerings.

“We are delighted to welcome Odds Composer as a third-party partner,” said Jeevan Jeyaratnam, Chief Betting Officer at Abelson Sports. “Their focus on the quality and depth of basketball player props is impressive, and they have built a solution that specifically addresses the gaps in the current market. While US basketball is already well-served by operators, we have seen significant interest from our partners for more comprehensive European basketball coverage. Odds Composer’s in-house modelling and trading expertise make them the perfect fit to help our clients drive new revenue streams in this area.”

The integration ensures that sportsbook partners can access Odds Composer’s content seamlessly through Abelson’s proven framework, minimising development requirements and enabling rapid deployment for operators looking to capitalise on the increasing demand for basketball player markets.

Kevin Liivamägi, CEO and Co-Founder at Odds Composer, added: “Partnering with Abelson Sports provides the ideal platform to scale our basketball solutions. Our mission has always been to provide operators with the flexibility and speed they need to stand out in a crowded market. By leveraging Abelson’s trusted network and established feed format, we can ensure our high-quality player prop markets are instantly accessible to leading sportsbooks, helping them to expand their reach worldwide.”

Macau sees 873K visitors during Labor Day Golden Week

Viviana Chan
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Macau sees 873K visitors during Labor Day Golden Week

Macau recorded approximately 873,000 visitor arrivals during the five-day Labor Day Golden Week holiday from May 1st to May 5th, according to data released by the Public Security Police Force, with total border crossings reaching 3.81 million, up 1.6 percent year-on-year.

The figures cover all entry and exit points across the city, with visitors accounting for 46.6 percent of total crossings during the period. Macau residents made up 30.4 percent, while non-resident workers represented 20.1 percent.

Among inbound visitors, mainland Chinese travelers comprised the majority at 83 percent. Visitors from Hong Kong and Taiwan accounted for 10.8 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively, while international visitors made up 4.9 percent.

In terms of checkpoint distribution, the Border Gate handled 50 percent of total traffic, followed by Hengqin Port at 17 percent, Qingmao Port at 15 percent, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge at 11 percent.

On May 5th, the final day of the holiday, Macau recorded 581,000 border crossings, including 187,000 traveler movements. Of these, 83,000 were inbound visitors, while 104,000 departed the city.

During the holiday period, several tourist areas experienced high foot traffic, with crowd control measures implemented at the Ruins of St. Paul’s for four consecutive days from May 1st to May 4th.

ACMA finds 500+ breaches in Entain’s self-exclusion controls

AGBrief Editorial
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ACMA finds 500+ breaches in Entain’s self-exclusion controls

Entain Group Pty Ltd has entered into a court-enforceable undertaking with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) after an investigation found more than 500 breaches of national gambling self-exclusion rules involving its Ladbrokes AU and Neds AU services.

The regulator found that Entain opened accounts for, and provided wagering services to, individuals registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register™ – and failed to close existing accounts for self-excluded customers. Under the rules, wagering providers must close accounts as soon as practicable once a person registers with BetStop.

ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said many breaches involved customers holding multiple accounts across the two brands.

“When someone signs up to BetStop, wagering companies must close all of that person’s accounts held within their services,” she said.

“In this case, Entain’s systems did not adequately identify and link all wagering accounts held by those customers across its services, including one account that remained open for more than a year after the customer had self-excluded.”

The investigation also found cases where new accounts were opened for individuals already registered with BetStop, as well as failures to adequately promote the register in customer communications.

“When people register for self-exclusion there should be no way for them to open new accounts for licensed wagering services in Australia,” Lidgerwood said.

The ACMA accepted an 18-month enforceable undertaking requiring Entain to conduct an independent review of its compliance systems and implement improvements. While no infringement notice was issued, failure to comply with the undertaking may result in court-ordered financial penalties.

MGM China plans USD notes sale, terms yet to be set

AGBrief Editorial
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MGM China plans USD notes sale, terms yet to be set

Macau gaming operator MGM China Holdings announced on May 5th that it is proposing an international offering of U.S. dollar-denominated senior notes to professional investors only, subject to market conditions and investor interest.

The company said the aggregate principal amount and certain terms of the notes have not yet been determined. Pricing will be set through a book-building process led by Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch and J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited, acting as joint global coordinators.

The proposed issuance, if completed, would see the notes repayable at maturity unless earlier redeemed or repurchased under their terms. The company noted that no binding agreement has been entered into, and the transaction may or may not proceed.

Proceeds from the offering are intended to repay part of the company’s outstanding amounts under its 2025 revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes.

MGM China is also seeking to list the notes on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for trading among professional investors, having received an eligibility letter for the proposed listing.

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