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PH House to form special committee targeting vloggers funded by illegal POGOs

Viviana Chan
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PH House to form special committee targeting vloggers funded by illegal POGOs

The Philippines House of Representatives will establish a special committee to investigate vloggers allegedly funded by illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to spread disinformation against the Quad Committee, according to Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers.

The Quad Committee in the Philippines is a legislative body formed by the House of Representatives to conduct comprehensive investigations into various issues, particularly focusing on the connections between POGOs, illegal drug activities, and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.

Barbers, who leads the Quad Committee, stated that banned POGOs still operating in the Philippines are suspected of financially supporting these vloggers. He emphasized the need for a regulatory framework to ensure that vloggers do not misuse their influence.

The accusation was reported by the Manila Standard. Barbers claimed that the disinformation campaign was orchestrated by well-funded groups with the aim of discrediting him and other members of the Quad Committee. He speculated that illegal POGO operators and drug lords, who are impacted by the committee’s investigations, may be behind these efforts.

However, Barbers did not provide specific details regarding the alleged “fake news.”

Barbers noted that a Tri-Committee will be formed to conduct the investigation and draft legislation aimed at preventing vloggers and influencers from disseminating misinformation. While criticisms are welcome and protected under the Constitution, he stressed that they must remain grounded in matters related to official duties and responsibilities.

In November, Barbers requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to identify and take action against unnamed vloggers accused of maligning and spreading falsehoods about the Quad Committee. He described the disinformation campaign as a deliberate effort to create chaos, confusion, and fear, while undermining the integrity of public service.

Barbers also submitted a formal letter to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, highlighting the organized nature of the disinformation campaign. He requested assistance in identifying the individuals or groups responsible for producing and posting misleading vlogs, as well as securing digital evidence such as metadata, upload details, and activity logs.

Macau hotel rates to drop 15-40% YoY during CNY, visitor numbers to grow

Viviana Chan
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Macau hotel rates to drop 15-40% YoY during CNY, visitor numbers to grow

The Morgan Stanley Chinese New Year (CNY) 2025 hotel survey indicates that the average daily rate (ADR) for most hotels in Macau is expected to be 15-40 percent lower than in CNY 2024 and 10-30 percent below the October Golden Week in 2024.

The survey, which compiled ADR and occupancy data from 28 hotels in Macau, focused on the upcoming CNY period from January 28th to February 4th (public holiday days only). The data was collected 14 days before the holiday period. According to the findings, the standard room ADR for Macau’s hotels during CNY 2025 stands at HK$3,911 ($503). 

Among the hotels with the largest price reductions are The Venetian Macau (down 60 percent), Grand Lisboa Palace (down 54 percent), Sands Macao, and Versace Macau (both down 38 percent).

Conversely, some hotels have seen price increases. The Andaz Hotel at Galaxy Macau, the W Hotel at Melco’s Studio City, and The Parisian Macao have reported price hikes ranging from 6 to 15 percent.

The overall drop in room rates may reflect a number of factors, including ongoing market challenges and softer demand compared to previous peak periods. However, projections suggest that visitation numbers could be stronger this year compared to 2024.

In their latest investment memo, analysts Praveen K. Choudhary and Gareth Leung note that, despite the lower ADR, occupancy rates remain relatively stable. The average occupancy rate for the surveyed hotels is 71 percent, which is largely flat compared to CNY 2024 but up by 15 percentage points compared to the October Golden Week in 2024.

Visitor number to grow 

A notable increase in visitation has been observed from Zhuhai residents. Following the introduction of the “One Trip Per Week” visa on January 1st, visitation from this group has risen by 26 percent year-on-year in the first half of January. Zhuhai accounted for approximately 10-12 percent of total Chinese visitation in both 2023 and 2019.

It is also worth noting that, on January 18th, Macau set a new single-day record with 803,000 border crossings, a 6.6 percent increase from the previous peak in August. This figure includes 169,000 tourists, 77.6 percent of whom were mainland Chinese residents.

Additionally, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has raised its visitor number projections for 2025 to between 38 million and 39 million, indicating that Macau’s visitation could approach pre-COVID levels.

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

January GGR

Morgan Stanley notes that Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) in January is expected to grow by 1 percent year-on-year, reaching MOP628 million ($78.2 million) per day, while February GGR is anticipated to increase by 7 percent year-on-year to MOP709 million ($88.3 million). Combined, the GGR for January and February is forecast to average MOP667 million ($83.1 million) per day, or 78 percent of the levels seen in 2019.

Cambodia sets ambitious goal of 7 million international tourists for 2025

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Cambodia sets ambitious goal of 7 million international tourists for 2025

Cambodian authorities are setting an ambitious target of over 7 million international tourists for 2025, following steady tourist traffic in 2024.

According to Huot Hak, the Minister of Tourism, its goals are “to attract up to 7.2 million or 7.5 million foreign tourists in 2025”.

This leverages the success seen in 2024, when the nation saw 6.7 million tourists, an annual increase of nearly 23 percent, beating even 2019 levels by 1.4 percent, according to the Khmer Times.

In order to achieve the new goal, the tourism ministry is developing an action plan and monitoring and assessing tourist arrivals.

This would encompass increasing the attractiveness of the country to the Muslim tourism market and eliminating the low season (April to September) to have steady tourism traffic year-long.

Part of the move to increase attractiveness was the recent reduction in tourist e-Visa prices – down to $30 from $36. Regular visa prices were also cut to $35 from $42.

NagaWorld, NagaCorp, Cambodia
NagaWorld, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

According to tourism data published by NagaWorld operator NagaCorp, during the first 11 months of 2024, total international tourist arrivals reached 6 million, up by 20 percent yearly. Visitors from ASEAN nations increased to nearly 3.8 million, up by 18.2 percent yearly.

Thailand was the leading market, making up 31.9 percent , followed by Vietnam – at 20.1 percent, China – at 12.8 percent, and Laos – at 5.1 percent.

Thailand alone contributed 1.91 million visitors, while Vietnam amounted to 1.2 million. But Chinese visitation during the 11-month period saw a heady 54.5 percent yearly increase, to nearly 770,000.

For Phnom Penh, where NagaWorld is located, arrivals via the international airport increased by 28.7 percent yearly, to 1.58 million visitors between January and December 1st – 83.7 percent of the value registered in 2019

Largest-ever CNY Mark Six snowball draw scheduled for Feb. 2nd in Hong Kong

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Largest-ever CNY Mark Six snowball draw scheduled for Feb. 2nd in Hong Kong

Just weeks after giving out its largest-ever Mark Six jackpot, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has announced its largest-ever Mark Six Lunar New Year snowball draw – scheduled for February 2nd.

The total amount up for grabs is HK$188 million ($24.15 million), topping even the HK$138 million ($17.7 million) jackpot won on January 7th by two ticket holders.

HKJC, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mark Six

Despite the increase, tickets will continue to cost HK$10 ($1.28) and will be available after the draw on January 25th.

Included in the payout is a snowball of HK$150 million ($19.27 million), the “largest Chinese New Year Snowball in history”, the HKJC indicated.

Also in commemoration of the Chinese New Year, the HKJC will be offering HK$20.8 million ($2.67 million) in prize money for the CNY Raceday on January 31st. Other jackpots will be added to seven local race meetings between February 5th and 26th. Betting pools for the CNY Raceday will start at noon on January 30th.

During the 2023/2024 season, the HKJC registered HK$304.9 billion ($39.23 billion) in bets from customers, with HK$8.5 billion ($1.1 billion) bet on the Mark Six Lottery, a yearly rise of 13.3 percent.

Revenue from the lottery totaled HK$3.9 billion ($501.73 million) during the period.

The HKJC operates Hong Kong’s only horse race and football betting, alongside the Mark Six lottery. The HKJC has been the authorized operator of the Mark Six lottery since 1975.

PAGCOR Chairman confident eGames tax rate cuts will continue to stimulate growth

Kelsey Wilhelm
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PAGCOR Chairman confident eGames tax rate cuts will continue to stimulate growth

The Chairman of the Philippines gaming regulator (PAGCOR) has expressed confidence that eGames sector growth will continue this year, noting “we are optimistic that the best is yet to come”.

In a release by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Monday, the group highlighted the January 1st implementation of a reduced taxation rate of 30 percent on eGames operators (down from 35 percent). This tax rate further falls to 25 percent for eGames operated by integrated resorts.

While not providing specific data on how well the sector is doing since the reduction, Alejandro H. Tengco indicated that “The gradual reduction of share rates has significantly contributed to the growth of the E-Games sector, which has become a key driver of the local gaming industry.”

Tengco had initially divulged the tax drop at G2E Asia in Macau in June of 2024.

Third quarter gaming revenue results revealed by PAGCOR in November showed that eGames revenue topped PHP35.71 million ($606.94 million), even as overall GGR hit a record PHP94.61 billion ($1.6 billion). That means eGames revenue grew by 464.38 percent yearly, something Tengco previously described as “phenomenal”.

The drop in taxation rates has caused a strong increase in the number of PAGCOR-licensed eGames operators, with a total of 1,188 licenses for on-site and online gaming offerings, up by 13.57 percent since 2023.

Accredited gaming service providers increased five-fold, to 174 by end-2024.

Tengco has justified the rate cuts by saying that they would allow operators more marketing resources, help prevent voluntary closures and ensure the sector’s ongoing growth and profitability.

The Star: ‘material uncertainty as to the group’s ability to continue as a going concern’

Kelsey Wilhelm
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The Star: ‘material uncertainty as to the group’s ability to continue as a going concern’

Embattled Australian casino operator The Star has acknowledged that ‘there remains material uncertainty as to the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern’.

In financial results released on Monday, the group confirmed that it had available cash amounting to AU$78 million ($48.5 million) as of December 31st but outlined concerns it would be unable to meet conditions to raise more funding.

In order to draw down another AU$100 million ($62.2 million) from a previously negotiated loan facility, the group needs to raise AU$150 million ($93.25 million) in subordinated debt. However the group notes its capacity to do so ‘is limited in the short term in the absence of additional liquidity solutions’.

The filing states that ‘the Group continues to also explore other possible liquidity solutions’.

It was reported earlier that the company was running through about AU$35 million ($21.76 million) of its cash per month, causing doubts among investors that the company would survive February.

This uncertainty has caused the company’s directors to seek advice on applying safe harbor provisions – to protect directors from debt liabilities in case the company becomes insolvent.

‘While discussions continue with respect to a range of different solutions, there is no certainty that any of these negotiations will result in one or more definitive arrangements that might materially increase the Group’s liquidity position’.

Even the recent appearance of Macau-based petrochem mogul Xinchun Wang as the second-largest investor in the group – holding 6.52 percent of voting power and attempts to negotiate with state governments on reducing the tax burden have failed to alleviate concerns that The Star might not pull through.

Results

The group reported a 15 percent quarterly drop in its fiscal second quarter revenue, ending December 31st – reaching AU$299 million ($185.9 million), however the group was able to diminish its EBITDA loss from AU$18 million ($11.2 million) in fiscal 1Q25 to AU$8 million ($4.97 million) in the fiscal second quarter.

The group indicates that the results ‘reflect continued weakness in the operating performance of the Group due to the ongoing challenging consumer environment, the impact of mandatory carded play and cash limits in NSW, and costs associated with ongoing remediation activities’.

The group also attributed the 15 percent drop in revenue quarterly to the closure of Treasury Brisbane casino and ‘continued softness at The Star Sydney’- due to the mandatory carded play and cash limits. This was slightly offset by revenue growth at The Star Gold Coast.

The Star Sydney brought in AU$176 million ($109.4 million) in revenue, down by 6 percent quarterly and 23 percent yearly, while EBITDA fell to negative AU$4 million ($2.5 million), a heady reduction from the AU$21 million ($13.06 million) loss in the first quarter, but a reversal of AU$15 million ($9.33 million) in profit in the same period of last year.

The Star Entertainment, Sydney, Australia_

The Star Gold Coast revenue increased by 3 percent quarterly but fell by 7 percent yearly, to AU$111 million ($69 million), while EBITDA rose quarterly to AU$11 million ($6.84 million), down 48 percent from a year prior.

The Star Brisbane had its first full quarter of operations, bringing in AU$10 million ($6.22 million) in operator fee revenue, however EBITDA was negative, at AU$13 million ($8.08 million). The Star holds a 50 percent stake in the joint venture controlling The Star Brisbane – with 25 percent each held by Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium.

Casino license updates

The Star Sydney’s casino license remains suspended and is held by a Manager appointed by the authorities. This situation is set to last at least until March 31st of this year, after which the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) ‘will reassess the Star Sydney’s suitability to regain its casino license’.

The suspension of the casino license for The Star Gold Coast has been deferred until March 31st, while regulators will examine the group’s remediation activities in February – aiming to produce a decision by end-March.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Trump could position the U.S. as the global leader in crypto

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Trump could position the U.S. as the global leader in crypto
Good morning. The future is looking bright for crypto. The U.S. could become a leader in the cryptocurrency sector under the new Trump administration, according to finance expert Loretta Joseph. While acknowledging the risks inherent in cryptocurrency, she advocates for the benefits of digital assets, including their cross-border mobility and resilience against confiscation. Meanwhile, Thailand’s former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, believes the new IR industry will create 20,000 jobs per site, with an average monthly salary of $580. In Macau, Jefferies estimates Galaxy Entertainment Group will see a 10 percent year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA of $385.3 million in the last quarter of 2024.

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Trump's Presidency: Ushering in a New Era for Cryptocurrency in the U.S.

Trump’s presidency: A new era for cryptocurrency in the U.S.

The world is at a pivotal moment as Donald Trump’s presidency, beginning January 20th, 2025, signals a potential shift towards a more crypto-friendly U.S. stance on cryptocurrency, with finance expert Loretta Joseph telling AGB this could position the U.S. as a leader in the sector. Despite previous legal ambiguities creating challenges, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) offers new opportunities, particularly with stablecoins and the significant ascent of Bitcoin as a recognized asset class. 

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1xBet’s 2024 Milestones: key achievements & heights of success

1xBet 2024 Milestones Key achievements and new heights of success

In 2024, 1xBet achieved significant breakthroughs and successes, solidifying its position in the iGaming industry. The brand secured major partnership deals, received prestigious awards, and showcased its innovations at the world’s leading forums.

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Thailand’s entertainment complexes to create 20,000 jobs per site

Viviana Chan
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Thailand’s entertainment complexes to create 20,000 jobs per site

Thailand’s plan to build entertainment complexes featuring casinos is expected to generate significant job opportunities across the country. According to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, each entertainment complex will create approximately 20,000 jobs, providing a major boost to the local economy.

Workers employed at these sites will be guaranteed a monthly wage of at least THB 20,000 ($580), offering not only employment but also a stable income for many Thais.

This information was shared by Thaksin in a speech at a gathering of his supporters in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom, as reported by the local media outlet Bangkok Post.

Thaksin, the former prime minister and father of the current PM, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is believed to be the de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

Thaksin emphasized that licenses to operate casinos within these entertainment complexes will be granted through an “open bidding process”, ensuring the opportunity to operate the casinos is accessible to interested parties. This competitive process will also require bidders to propose plans that maximize tourism benefits and contribute to tax revenue, aiming to bolster the nation’s economy.

bangkok thailand

Thaksin clarified that the entertainment complexes will resemble those found in global tourism hotspots like Las Vegas and Singapore. While casinos will be a key feature, they will occupy less than 10 percent of the overall space. According to previous reports, the casino area will be limited to 3–5 percent of the total area.

The remaining area will be dedicated to various attractions and activities, including sports stadiums, conference halls, water parks, and even ice-skating arenas.

These developments are expected to diversify Thailand’s entertainment offerings and attract international tourists, providing a boost to the tourism sector, which has seen a decline due to the pandemic.

Thailand’s entertainment complex projects aim to revitalize the country’s economy, particularly in the wake of a heavy debt burden inherited from the previous administration. 

Thaksin noted that the government’s focus is to ensure the economic well-being of Thai citizens, with job creation being a key measure to improve living standards. The overall goal is to generate income, attract tourism, and address the long-standing economic challenges Thailand has faced.

The entertainment complex bill has already been approved in principle by the cabinet and will soon be forwarded to the House of Representatives for further deliberation. The legislative process is expected to take around six months, after which the rules and final details of the project will be worked out before implementation begins next year.

Thailand’s tourism sector, which saw more than 40 million visitors before the pandemic, is projected to return to between 37 and 38 million arrivals this year. The government hopes the new entertainment complexes will act as magnets for international tourists, further boosting the tourism sector and, by extension, the economy.

While there has been some opposition to the plan, including calls for a referendum on the legalization of casinos, Thaksin dismissed these concerns, reiterating that if the majority of the public supports the initiative, it will move forward. 

He also responded to concerns over potential criminal activity, including money laundering, within the entertainment complexes, stating that it is crucial for the bill to be communicated clearly to the public to address such issues.

Galaxy poised to report a 10% Y-o-Y EBITDA rise in 4Q24 – Jefferies

Nelson Moura
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Galaxy poised to report a 10% Y-o-Y EBITDA rise in 4Q24 – Jefferies

Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) is poised to report an adjusted EBITDA of HK$3 billion ($385.3 million), reflecting a 5 percent increase quarter-over-quarter and a 10 percent rise year-over-year, brokerage Jefferies estimates.

Sales are anticipated to rise by 12 percent from the previous quarter, driven by robust demand in the gaming and entertainment sectors.

The company’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) is expected to reach HK$10.9 billion ($1.9 billion), marking a 7 percent increase from the third quarter and surpassing the broader industry growth rate of 3 percent.

This growth is attributed to a diverse array of events and concerts scheduled for the quarter, featuring notable performances from artists such as Andy Lau, Dao Lang, and (G)I-DLE.

Moreover, the continuous ramp-up of Phase 3 at Galaxy Macau, alongside enhancements at StarWorld’s level 3—home to the largest Live Table Games terminals in Macau—has significantly contributed to the anticipated growth.

With results set to be announced in February, investors are keen to see if GEG is making strides in the premium mass segment, especially with the impending launch of the Capella hotel, which will offer around 100 luxury suites in mid-2025.

In light of these developments, Jefferies has slightly adjusted its forecasts, lowering the 2024 net profit estimate by 2.4 percent, while maintaining projections for 2025 and 2026.

NOVOVISION CMS marks successful launch at Casino Tróia in Portugal

AGBrief Editorial
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NOVOVISION CMS marks successful launch at Casino Tróia in Portugal

The latest deployment of the NOVOVISION™ casino management system has provided Casino Tróia in Portugal with an innovative solution that significantly improves both the player experience and the venue’s business operations.

Casino Tróia is a popular gaming and entertainment venue on the Tróia Peninsula off the coast of Setúbal in Portugal. The elegant casino is part of the 5-star Tróia Design Hotel Resort and welcomes international visitors and local guests alike with a broad variety of gaming entertainment, comprising video slots of leading manufacturers as well as table games including Black Jack, Roulette and Poker. 

Hotel_Casino_Troia, Portugal
Casino Troia, Portugal
NOVOVISION

To upgrade the casino’s player journey and enhance the internal business processes, the management of the Casino Tróia have opted for a visionary solution powered by NOVOMATIC: In early January, the NOVOVISION™ (NV) casino management system was successfully implemented in an Advanced setup comprising NV core as well as a number of additional modules that comprise nearly the entire gaming floor. 

NOVOVISION by NOVOMATIC with landmark installation at Estoril Sol in Portugal

The first point of contact for the casino guests are the NV access registration desks, where they are enrolled with a player account and an NFC card for their NV wallet. Once all regulatory requirements and data protection obligations are fulfilled, guests are granted access to the gaming floor, where their next step will lead them to the NV promo PromoTower to participate in the casino’s promotional program via the NOVOSPIN™ Wheel. Any wins will be directly booked into their single wallet and be instantly available for slots play. 

NOVOVISION CMS marks successful launch at Casino Tróia in Portugal

All 150 video slots of leading manufacturers across the Casino Tróia have been retrofitted with NOVOVISION™ player tracking modules (PTM) for smooth and intuitive cashless gaming. They also ensure precise accounting processes and for player revenues to be consistently accounted for in the loyalty programme. Also the majority of the casino’s live tables have been equipped with NV tables accounting functionalities. NV pay guarantees the fast pay-out or purchase of additional credits at three cash desks and a brand new NCM 90 large-capacity cash terminal. 

NOVOVISION CMS marks successful launch at Casino Tróia in Portugal

Floor staff benefit from the NOVOVISION™ Notifier app, which notifies selected users of any defined event according to their user role to ensure they can react to these alerts fast and accurate. At the same time, the Casino Tróia’s management will greatly appreciate the system’s powerful set of Business Intelligence functionalities that enable them to make informed decisions for their business, based on in-depth analysis of game, machine and player performance, promotions and the business trends as a whole. 

NOVOVISION by NOVOMATIC with landmark installation at Estoril Sol in Portugal

Werner Kearns, Sales Manager NBS, said: “Casino Tróia is our second NOVOVISION™ installation in Portugal, which firstly shows how highly the Portuguese market appreciates visionary solutions, and secondly, it is a real testament to the excellent local service provided by our long-standing local distribution partner Marcos Pinto from Diverstock. It is very gratifying for me personally to see how our solution is gaining momentum with customers who recognize its true benefits and technical depth. I also extend my thanks to the management of Casino Tróia for their trust and the excellent cooperation of their local team with our NOVOVISION™ teams.”

Jorge Calado, General Manager Casino Tróia, added: “We are incredibly proud to implement this state of-the-art management system, which not only enhances the quality of service we offer our customers but also delivers a more engaging and dynamic experience for them. This milestone is the culmination of months of dedicated effort and collaboration between our team at Casino Tróia, Diverstock, NOVOMATIC and the SRIJ (Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos).”

“Thanks to this collective effort, we are now among the first casinos in Portugal to offer such an innovative solution to our guests. This achievement represents a significant step in our continuous journey of growth as we strengthen our value proposition and leverage innovation as a key differentiator in the national market. The new system expands our service offerings for guests while streamlining operations for our team, enabling faster, more efficient service and creating a smoother, more engaging customer experience.”

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