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SpinOn and Yggdrasil toast to the Life O’Riley

AGBrief Editorial
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SpinOn and Yggdrasil toast to the Life O’Riley

Yggdrasil and SpinOn have launched the latest YGG Masters release, Life O’Riley, a slot with an Irish theme and a thrilling pint collection feature that offers free spins, sticky wilds, multipliers, and mystery symbols for great win potential.

The core gameplay focuses on landing Beer Tap symbols, unlocking various exciting features, which are then carried over to the bonus round, ensuring a rewarding experience. At a minimum, players will receive five free spins, even if no features have been unlocked.

Wild symbols act as substitutes for all other symbols, while the Multiplier feature enhances winnings during the bonus round based on the player’s progress on the associated pint glass trail. Multipliers can reach up to 10x, amplifying the excitement and potential payouts.

Sticky Wilds can appear during the bonus round and remain in place for the duration of the feature, increasing the chances of winning combinations. Mystery Symbols, activated through Beer Tap collections, can transform into matching symbols, adding another layer of anticipation to the gameplay.

Life O’Riley is powered by GATI, Yggdrasil’s state-of-the-art technology that enables partners to consistently employ the preconfigured, regulation-ready, standardised development toolkit to produce cutting-edge content followed by rapid distribution.

Zoe Bird, Head of Masters at Yggdrasil, said: “Life O’Riley is a traditionally themed Irish game that features a barrel of fun just in time for St Patrick’s Day. The theme and the features create a fantastic blend that delivers rewarding gameplay experiences.”

The Marketing Team at SpinOn said: “Life O’Riley brings the vibrant energy of Irish charm to the reels, offering players an engaging and rewarding experience. From the sticky wilds to the multipliers, every spin is packed with excitement and the potential for big wins. The beer taps and quadrant mechanics really add a unique twist to the gameplay, and we’re confident it’ll be a hit with players who love a bit of luck and adventure!”

Thai IR legislation lacking clarity: Economist

Nelson Moura
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Thai IR legislation lacking clarity: Economist

An economics expert warns that Thailand needs to clarify the foundational principals behind its proposed entertainment complex bill to avoid illegal activities associated with gambling.

The Council of State has expressed six significant concerns regarding the draft law aimed at establishing entertainment complexes, leaving supporters of the initiative puzzled about the council’s intentions.

In comments to The Nation, Professor Chidtawan Chanakul from Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Economics emphasized that the council’s concerns suggest a lack of clarity from the government regarding the law’s overarching “principles and rationale.” He noted that the draft seems to chase two conflicting aims: attracting tourists while simultaneously tackling illegal gambling.

“Attempting to achieve both goals requires meticulous planning,” Prof. Chidtawan remarked, referencing Singapore’s successful model of entertainment complexes with casinos. Singapore has implemented stringent regulations, including protective measures that limit citizens’ access to gambling, aiming to uphold social order and minimize adverse impacts.

“In Thailand, there seems to be confusion about the intent behind this draft law. It fails to clarify whether the objective is to legalize gambling to curb underground operations or to restrict local citizens from gambling altogether while focusing on tourism,” he explained, as cited by the publication.

The professor also highlighted that entertainment complexes in various countries have yielded mixed outcomes, often failing to address issues related to gambling, crime, or tourism effectively.

An example provided was that of Atlantic City, which sought to mirror Las Vegas and enhance tourism. According to the gaming expert, since opening its casinos in 1976, Atlantic City has struggled with illegal gambling, political corruption, and a rise in prostitution, leading to significant challenges.

Given these concerns, Prof. Chidtawan urged Thailand to clearly define its objectives, implement strict regulations, and build the necessary infrastructure and workforce to manage risks effectively. Without these critical measures, the proposed entertainment complex initiative risks becoming another poorly conceived policy with considerable social and economic repercussions.

Thai PM to personally assure safety of Chinese tourists when visiting Xi Jinping

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Thai PM to personally assure safety of Chinese tourists when visiting Xi Jinping

Even as Thailand pushes ahead with its casino legislation, its Prime Minister is to personally delivery assurances to China’s President about the safety of tourists from the nation’s largest tourism source market.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is reportedly going to make an official visit to China in February and plans to bring up tourism safety with Xi Jinping.

Paetongtarn-Shinawatra-prime-minister-Thailand
Paetongtarn Shinawatra

The assurances aim to assuage concerns, following the recent disappearance and safe return of Chinese actor Wang Xing. The actor had gone missing along the Thai-Myanmar border in early January, with authorities believing he may have been a victim of human trafficking.

While tourism officials have already communicated directly with Chinese officials about Thailand’s efforts to rebuild confidence from Chinese tourists, the top-level encounter should further solidify the message.

Thailand is hoping to attract some 9 million Chinese visitors this year, a 35 percent yearly increase.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sowarong Thienthong, as cited by the Bangkok Post, indicated that tourism arrivals from China had actually to 22,000 daily (up until January 20th), this year, from an average of 17,000.

China has been the top tourism source market for the country so far this year, with over 354,000 arrivals. This has been supported by a permanent visa-free agreement between China and Thailand.

The official indicated that cancellations were largely from first-time tour group visitors, after the incident, and that there had been “no impacts on tourists who were free independent travelers”.

Thailand is now working to improve border security, as China has also reached out to ASEAN nations to increase their crackdowns on scam operations in their respective countries – especially those operating across borders.

Thailand aims to attract a total of 40 million visitors this year and tourism revenue of THB3 trillion ($29.56 billion).

Thai gov’t gives Council of State 50 days to review IR law, says no need for referendum

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Thai gov’t gives Council of State 50 days to review IR law, says no need for referendum

Thailand’s government has given the nation’s Council of State 50 days to review the Entertainment Complex Business Act and forward it to the nation’s House, while negating the need for a referendum, given the policy’s approval by parliament.

According to the Bangkok Post, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai says that a delay to the bill would be detrimental to the economy, negating a need for a referendum but saying the government is welcome to opinions on policy.

Thailand Council of State

“The policy has been made public and approved in parliament by representatives of the people. So, what’s the point of seeking public approval on it again?” queried the official.

The Secretary-General of the Council of State indicated that the government had tagged the bill as urgent, noting that the council has no authority to call for a referendum on it.

Opposition voices are calling for the public to be allowed to study the bill’s details, while not negating its positive potential to control underground gambling.

Queensland Premier wants to keep The Star property open if employment is ensured

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Queensland Premier wants to keep The Star property open if employment is ensured

Queensland’s Premier is potentially extending an olive branch to embattled Australian gaming operator The Star, but also stating that the operator had not kept its promises to the state.

David Crisafulli, Queensland, Australia
David Crisafulli, Premier of Queensland

According to the Brisbane Times, David Crisafulli stated that The Star’s obligations to taxpayers included that Queen’s Wharf Brisbane while remain open “and for it to be able to serve the purpose that it was initially set up for”.

The Star recently disclosed that there was ‘material uncertainty as to the group’s ability to continue’, citing just AU$78 million ($48.5 million) in available cash, and a possibility that it couldn’t unlock loans or secure ‘other possible liquidity solutions’.

Aside, from the precarious position this puts all of The Star Entertainment Group’s properties in, the Queensland Premier indicated that “there were also other terms and conditions that weren’t met”.

The official noted that the focus “right now is only on the workers in continuing that operation”.

Queen's Wharf Brisbane, Star Entertainment
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane

Crisafulli (not so subtly) hinted that The Star could sell its Queen’s Wharf asset in the state’s capital, rebranding it under a different name.

Queen’s Wharf is a joint venture development, with The Star investors Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium each holding 25 percent.

“My concern is the people who work for them, and whoever they work for today or tomorrow, whether it’s the same company or a different one”.

He furthered, “I just want that place to be open, and I want as many people as possible to have a job”.

The official noted that any potential investor in The Star would need to fulfill on the obligations promised, with a particular focus on employment. Queen’s Wharf currently employs some 6,000 workers, with a previous promise of up to 8,000 or more.

Crisafulli was direct on his statements about The Star, noting “I’m not on their board. I have no interest in whether or not they are a viable entity,” cites Newswire.

This furthers a direct shutdown on a potential tax rebate from New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who noted that the state has funding requests across the state “from roads to psychiatrists to nurses to the railways […] I don’t have money for casinos, I’m sorry”.

Macau expecting to see over 5M border crossings during Chinese New Year

Viviana Chan
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Macau expecting to see over 5M border crossings during Chinese New Year

Macau is expected to experience between 5.04 to 5.36 million cross-border movements during the upcoming Chinese New Year period (January 28th to February 4th), with an average of 630,000 to 670,000 people entering and exiting daily, according to the Macau Public Security Police Force, the department responsible for immigration services.

This represents a 3 percent or larger increase compared to the same period in 2024, with peak traffic anticipated on the fourth and fifth days of the new year.

In a press conference outlining the upcoming measures for the holiday season, Lam Tong Hou, Public Relations Director at the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), noted that various government departments, tourism industry groups, and associations will organize a variety of celebrations during the Chinese New Year Golden Week. These events are expected to boost both visitor numbers and hotel occupancy.

As of January 16th, hotel bookings in Macau are nearing 80 percent occupancy. With Chinese New Year fast approaching, reservations are expected to continue growing.

It is also worth noting that, according to a recent survey by Morgan Stanley, the average daily rate for most hotels in Macau during the Chinese New Year period is expected to be 15-40 percent lower than in 2024, and 10-30 percent below the October Golden Week in 2024.

Macau visitors border crossing

New visa policy adds around 4,400 visitors daily

Lei Tai Fai, spokesperson for the Macau Public Security Police Force, stated that the new visa policy for Macau’s neighboring cities has already shown positive results.

Between January 1st and 21st, more than 91,000 visitors used the new visa to visit Macau. This includes over 18,000 visitors entering under the multiple-entry policy, and more than 73,000 under the one-entry-per-week policy, averaging around 4,400 visitors daily.

As reported earlier this month, over 66,000 multiple-entry visas have been issued for travel to Macau by residents of Zhuhai and Hengqin in less than two weeks.

China’s National Immigration Administration also reported that, since January 1st, 2025, Zhuhai residents have made 257,000 trips to Macau, representing a year-on-year increase of 26.1 percent in the first two weeks of the policy’s implementation.

Abu Dhabi Investment Office partners with Mario Ho’s NIP Group to boost eSports

Viviana Chan
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Abu Dhabi Investment Office partners with Mario Ho’s NIP Group to boost eSports

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced a multi-year partnership with Mario Ho’s eSports and gaming company, NIP Group, aimed at fostering growth in the video gaming, media, and entertainment industries in Abu Dhabi.

Under the five-year agreement, THE NIP Group will establish its global headquarters in the emirate, creating local employment opportunities within the eSports and gaming sectors, as reported by the Khaleej Times.

The collaboration will see NIP Group expand its operations in several key areas, including eSports management, creative studios, game publishing, and event and talent management. ADIO intends to work closely with NIP Group to develop a comprehensive gaming and eSports strategy, leveraging Abu Dhabi’s strategic location and resources.

Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Macau’s Mario Ho aims to create new wave of eSports hotels in Macau,
Mario Ho, Chairman, NIP Group

NIP Group is a NASDAQ-listed company, with Mario Ho serving as its chairman. He is the son of Macau late Macau gaming mogul Stanley Ho and SJM Executive Director Angela Leong. Mario Ho also serves as chairman of the Macau e-Sports Federation.

A key aspect of the partnership is the creation of a local eSports academy and creative studios dedicated to developing games that reflect Abu Dhabi’s cultural identity. New intellectual properties, such as “Made in Abu Dhabi” content featuring locations like Al Ain and Al Dhafra, will be registered locally, further strengthening the emirate’s role as an innovation hub.

Talent development is a central focus of the agreement, with the NIP Group planning an internship program for UAE nationals, as well as educational initiatives and a global exchange program, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s broader economic acceleration goals.

The NIP Group sees the $40 million partnership as a key opportunity for global expansion. With the region’s gaming revenue expected to grow by 13.8 percent annually through 2027, the deal provides strategic advantages for entering the rapidly growing Middle Eastern market.

NIP Group co-CEO Hicham Chahine emphasized the significance of the partnership: “We’re excited to partner with ADIO to establish a global headquarters that reflects both our growth and the expanding gaming industry in the Middle East.”

Chairman Mario Ho added, “This partnership underscores our commitment to sustainable global expansion, creating new jobs and solidifying Abu Dhabi’s leadership in eSports and gaming, while empowering a new generation of professionals in the region.”

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Thailand’s new IR bill lacks an online component

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Thailand’s new IR bill lacks an online component
Good morning. Things are good, but they could be better. In the case of Thailand, experts laud what has been done so far to push through legislation aimed at opening up the nation’s first IR before Japan does. Despite the progress, the lack of an online component within the legislation has been criticized, as it could open up another massive revenue stream, Meanwhile, in Macau, satellite casino operators say that they’re being left in the dark about what will happen once the transition period ends this year, pushing to maintain some type of status quo to support their non-gaming operations.

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New IR bill could have included an online component

Strong support has been shown in pushing forward Thailand’s integrated resort bill, but some hurdles still remain before companies can begin bidding directly for one of the five spots up for grabs. But despite support from the Cabinet and a likely smooth passage through further bodies, experts lament that the bill failed to already include an online component.

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Macau welcomed 34.93M tourists in 2024, strong rise in international visitors

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Macau welcomed 34.93M tourists in 2024, strong rise in international visitors

Same-day visitors continued to comprise the majority of tourists to Macau in 2024, amounting to 18.88 million of the nearly 34.93 million that came to the SAR during the year.

The overall figure grew by 23.8 percent yearly, with same-day visitation up by 35 percent yearly.

Macau visitor Arrivals 2024

Overnight visitors totaled 16.04 million, a yearly rise of 12.8 percent.

Despite efforts to increase the length of stay, and encourage increased non-gaming spend in the SAR, the average length of stay of overnight visitors remained unchanged at 2.3 days from 2023.

Macau’s primary tourism source market, mainland China, brought in 24.49 million tourists, up by 28.6 percent yearly.

Those traveling under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) totaled 12.28 million, a yearly increase of 15.5 percent.

Macau Visitor Arrivals DEC 2024

The total number of tourist group multi-entry visitors totaled just 17,078.

Visitation from the nine cities in the Greater Bay Area increased by 28.8 percent yearly, to 11.98 million.

International visitation, in line with government initiatives and mandates, increased by 66 percent yearly, totaling 2.42 million.

Macau Visitor arrivals December 2024

Visitation from the Philippines surged by 57.1 percent, to 493,399, while that from Malaysia also saw a heady rise – up by 82.2 percent yearly, to 181,941.

Visitation from Thailand outpaced that of both Singapore and Japan, but fell far behind that of South Korea.

South Korean visitors totaled 492,184, up by 140 percent yearly, while that from the Philippines totaled 134,658. Japanese tourism totaled 126,242, up by 68 percent yearly.

For long-haul destinations, the United States contributed 147,941 visitors, a 57.7 percent year-on-year rise.

In the final month of the year, tourism numbers totaled 3.04 million, up by just 3.3 percent, despite a 22.5 percent increase in international visitors – 292,202.

Philippines and Thailand strengthen tourism ties with new agreement

Nelson Moura
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Philippines and Thailand strengthen tourism ties with new agreement

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) has signed a cooperation agreement on tourism with its Thailand counterpart.

The agreement was formally signed on January 19th by Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Thailand Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

The newly signed program will run from 2025 to 2030, focusing on enhancing bilateral tourism cooperation and promoting mutual growth within the tourism sectors of both nations.

The agreement emphasizes several key areas of focus: strengthening travel facilitation, enhancing research and development, and improving tourism management and operations through tourism cooperation.

It also aims to facilitate the exchange of successful strategies in sustainable tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and domestic tourism development.

Furthermore, the program encourages collaboration with tourism-related institutions to share technical materials and conduct training programs for professionals, aimed at human resource development.

Additionally, it includes plans for initiating collaborative marketing efforts, such as joint promotional packages and familiarization tours for media and travel agents.

To ensure effective implementation, a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be established to oversee coordination and monitor the program’s activities and deliverables.

This initiative builds on a longstanding partnership established by the original Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism, which was signed in Manila on March 24th, 1993.

Secretary Frasco expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, that “for the Philippines, this collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to tap into Thailand’s remarkable success in attracting visitors, particularly in areas such as cultural tourism and medical tourism.”

Frasco highlighted that the Philippines stands to benefit from Thailand’s robust arrival numbers and internationally recognized cultural heritage, as well as its world-class medical services, which will enhance the Philippines’ own tourism offerings.

In return, she noted that Thailand could gain from the Philippines’ expertise in hospitality and premier destination for dive tourism and English language education.

Minister Thienthong echoed Frasco’s sentiments, expressing gratitude for the memorandum of understanding and the anticipated exchange of knowledge and technology between the two countries.

Thailand stands to gain from the Philippines’ experience and expertise in the gaming space – both for land-based and online (if Thai authorities decide to pursue the online gaming route). The new framework ends in 2030, with Thai authorities hoping to open the nation’s first integrated resort in the country by 2029.

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