At the showcase, BetConstruct AI will demonstrate how its iGaming solutions enable operators to maximize player engagement before and during the tournament, with no additional development required.
For the World Cup activation – all at zero cost. New partners unlock a 65% platform setup discount applied immediately, plus 100% Core Suite Access — meaning the Sportsbook and the rest of BetConstruct AI’s offerings are completely free for the first 3 months (65% off for 4-12 months). Third-party tools come at 51% off for 3 months.
The company will also present its core ecosystem, including the Sportsbook Platform, Casino Platform, Affiliate Ecosystem, Retail Solutions, and its AI suite. The Sportsbook Platform offers over 140,000 pre-match events and 12,000+ monthly esports live events, while the Casino Platform integrates 350+ providers via a unified aggregation API.
The AI suite, including CRM AI, Umbrella AI, AI Game Recommendation System, and BettingMate AI, supports aspects such as churn prediction and risk management, as well as real-time personalisation and conversational betting.
Retail Solutions will demonstrate how operators can connect land-based and digital channels for a true omnichannel experience.
The gaming supplier NOVOMATIC will showcase a comprehensive portfolio of next-generation gaming solutions at G2E Asia 2026, underscoring its strong commitment to the Asian market and role as a trusted regional technology partner.
At booth A518B, the company will showcase a powerful mix of linked progressive innovations, advanced ETG solutions, new game content and region-specific offerings – supported by the presence of its extensive network of Asian distribution partners.
In line with its commitment to product excellence, NOVOMATIC will also present a selection of its latest award-winning innovations, recently recognized at the prestigious European Casino Awards. Taking center stage is the DIAMOND X QUATTRO 1.55J, awarded Best Slot Machine. This flagship cabinet combines a striking 55-inch J-curved display with a refined glass touch deck and a powerful high-performance sound system, delivering an immersive and premium player experience.
A key highlight of this year’s exhibition is the first-ever presentation of VISION LINK in Asia. NOVOMATIC’s latest multi-feature linked progressive concept combines five-pot mechanics, modern gameplay design and the popular LOCK&SPIN feature to deliver a highly engaging player experience. Its compatibility with the proven XTENSION LINK series enables scalable configurations and strong performance across premium gaming floors.
Further strengthening the progressive portfolio, XTENSION LINK Volume 5 will be introduced as the newest addition to one of the industry’s most successful linked progressive families. Featuring 12 games inspired by classic fruit themes and iconic NOVOMATIC titles, it blends nostalgic appeal with modern presentation and proven features such as Golden Spins.
Also on display, Impera PROLINK 2 delivers a high-impact jackpot experience, combining well-known classics with new game content and advanced mechanics such as Chain Reaction, Super Collect and Extended Reels within a dynamic three-pot setup.
A major focus will also be placed on the award-winning Novo Unity Pro ETG platform, which will be showcased with its latest feature upgrades, further expanding its flexibility, performance and player engagement capabilities. In addition, NOVOMATIC will present Novo Unity Pro as a stand-alone solution, offering operators even greater versatility in deploying high-quality ETG experiences tailored to individual floor requirements.
Complementing the core portfolio, visitors can explore new live-game solutions as well as the latest game highlights from APEX, further enriching the overall product mix. The showcase will also include dedicated solutions for the Philippine E-Gaming segment, underlining NOVOMATIC’s targeted approach to regional market requirements.
“G2E Asia is a key platform for us to demonstrate the strength and depth of our portfolio in one of the most dynamic gaming regions worldwide,” said Kenan Bajram, Deputy Director of Global Sales at NOVOMATIC AG. “With the Asian debut of VISION LINK, major enhancements to Novo Unity Pro and a broad range of tailored solutions, we are delivering exactly what our partners are looking for: innovation, flexibility and strong performance.”
Macau recorded more than 630,000 inbound visitor arrivals over the first three days of mainland China’s Labor Day Golden Week holiday from May 1st to May 3rd, according to data from the Public Security Police Force, with May 2nd setting a new single-day arrival record.
On May 1st, total border crossings reached about 809,000, including approximately 382,000 visitor movements. Inbound visitors totaled around 203,000, with most arriving via the Border Gate, the Hengqin checkpoint, and the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge.
Traffic increased on May 2nd, when total crossings exceeded 889,000. Visitor movements rose to about 474,000, including roughly 247,000 inbound arrivals, marking the peak day of the period and a new single-day record.
By May 3rd, overall crossings eased to around 783,000 despite heavy rain, with approximately 400,000 visitor movements recorded. Inbound arrivals totaled about 182,000, while outbound visitors reached around 218,000.
China’s Labor Day holiday runs from May 1st to May 5th. Authorities implemented crowd control measures in central districts during peak periods, particularly on Saturday, to manage heavy pedestrian flows.
As reported by AGB, market observers said rising fuel prices may support short-haul travel demand, potentially benefiting destinations such as Macau.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment outperformed expectations in the first quarter of 2026, with analysts pointing to market share gains in Macau and stronger-than-expected performance in the Philippines as key drivers, according to an investment memo by Seaport Research.
Seaport senior analyst Vitaly Umansky said the company delivered a ‘solid beat,’ with property EBITDA exceeding both consensus and the firm’s own estimates, supported primarily by contributions from Macau operations and City of Dreams Manila.
In Macau, Melco’s market share reached approximately 15.2 percent, representing an increase of more than 110 basis points quarter-on-quarter. The gain was attributed to improved utilization of electronic gaming machine inventory and targeted player acquisition strategies, the report noted.
Umansky added that EBITDA upside in the quarter was ‘largely from Studio City and the Philippines,’ highlighting the relative strength of those segments.
City of Dreams Manila exceeded expectations, with property EBITDA rising 24.4 percent year-on-year and 13.1 percent quarter-on-quarter. The improvement was supported by strong VIP performance, with volumes increasing by more than 30 percent year-on-year and gross gaming revenue from VIP play rising sharply on higher hold. The analyst noted, however, that the Philippines business may face further headwinds in the second quarter stemming from inflation driven by the conflict in the Middle East, and that new competition in Manila continues to weigh on the operation.
Despite the strong quarter, the report highlighted a competitive environment in Macau, with rising player reinvestment indicating continued pressure on margins. While management expects conditions to stabilize, Seaport said it does not anticipate a meaningful easing of competition in the near term.
For the second quarter, the analyst expects potential headwinds in the Philippines linked to rising energy costs, alongside ongoing geopolitical impacts on Cyprus operations. Seaport maintained its ‘Buy’ rating on Melco, citing what it described as an ‘undemanding’ valuation and a favorable risk-reward profile.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment has agreed to acquire certain trademarks and other intellectual property rights from its parent, Melco International Development Limited, for $375 million, a move aimed at securing full brand control while maintaining plans to resume dividends by the end of 2026, the company said in a filing and during its first-quarter earnings call.
The transaction involves the purchase of a subsidiary that owns the licensed trademarks, as well as other related intellectual property, domain names and rights previously used in Melco’s operations. The deal includes an initial payment of $300 million at signing, with the remaining balance due at closing.
The acquisition replaces an existing 10-year trademark licensing agreement that began on January 1st, 2024, under which Melco paid recurring fees. The first-quarter 2026 license fee totaled approximately $13.4 million, implying a purchase price of just under seven times the annualized fee, according to management.
Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said the purchase provides “full control of the IP” and allows the company to expand its brand “without any incremental cost.”
Chief Financial Officer Geoffrey Davis added that the transaction would result in “an immediate increase in EBITDA and cash flow,” as it eliminates ongoing royalty payments.
The acquisition was approved by independent members of the company’s Audit and Risk Committee, with support from an external valuation firm. Funding will come from a mix of internal resources and a credit facility drawdown, with management stating the additional debt will have a limited impact on leverage. Debt-to-EBITDA is expected to increase by less than half a turn, with levels projected to return to first-quarter 2026 levels before the end of 2026.
Dividend outlook remains intact
Despite the capital outlay, Melco said it remains committed to reinstating dividends.
“All things being equal, we would definitely like to resume the dividend by year-end,” Davis said, noting that timing will depend on factors including share price performance and broader capital allocation priorities.
The company has also continued share repurchases, buying back approximately $14 million worth of shares year-to-date, and recently approved a new $500 million buyback program, bringing total authorization to $710 million.
Retail revamp and REM hotel launch
Separately, Melco confirmed progress on several operational initiatives in Macau, including a retail overhaul at City of Dreams and the upcoming launch of its new REM hotel tower.
Ho said the REM project is “on track” for a phased opening in the early third quarter of 2026 and is expected to “represent a meaningful enhancement” to the group’s product offering.
The property will feature 149 rooms, primarily focused on one-bedroom suites, and is expected to add approximately $30,000 to $40,000 per day in operating expenses once opened.
Meanwhile, the company has begun a phased refurbishment of its retail areas at City of Dreams, which is expected to take 10 to 12 months. President Evan Winkler said the works would be carried out “zone by zone” with efforts to minimize disruption during the process.
Management indicated that both initiatives form part of a broader effort to enhance product quality and strengthen competitiveness in Macau’s integrated resort market.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment reported strong first-quarter 2026 results, with net income more than doubling year over year and revenue growth driven by improved mass market performance across its core markets.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho
The company recorded net income attributable to shareholders of $76.8 million for the three months ended March 31st, 2026, representing a 136.3 percent increase from $32.5 million in the prior-year period. Total operating revenues rose 11 percent year over year to $1.37 billion, primarily supported by stronger mass market gaming.
“Melco Resorts’ Adjusted Property EBITDA grew by approximately 12 percent year over year to $381 million for the first quarter of 2026,” said Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho.
Macau remains core earnings driver
Macau continued to underpin group performance, with Property EBITDA in the market rising approximately 12 percent year over year to $334 million. Margins improved to around 28 percent.
“Our efforts continue to center on increasing flow-through and profitability while enhancing our competitive positioning with key growth initiatives,” said Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho.
At City of Dreams Macau, total operating revenues increased to $734.6 million from $658.1 million a year earlier, supported by higher mass table volumes and improved non-gaming operations. Studio City also delivered growth, with revenues rising to $392.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA climbing to $111.7 million, driven by stronger mass market play.
Altira Macau returned to positive EBITDA during the quarter, reflecting improved underlying performance, while Mocha operations saw lower revenues following prior regulatory-driven closures.
International portfolio shows mixed performance
Melco’s international portfolio showed mixed performance. “In the Philippines, City of Dreams Manila exhibited solid performance despite heightened competition and continued industry headwinds. In Cyprus, results were impacted by the conflicts in the Middle East,” said Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho.
In the Philippines, City of Dreams Manila reported solid results despite intensified competition and ongoing industry headwinds. Adjusted EBITDA rose 24 percent year over year to $37.4 million, supported primarily by improved rolling chip operations. Rolling chip volume rose approximately 31 percent year over year to $460.1 million, though the primary earnings driver was an unusually high win rate of 5.18 percent — well above the expected range of 2.85 to 3.15 percent — compared with 2.98 percent in the prior-year period.
However, mass market table drop declined slightly, indicating some variability across customer segments.
In Cyprus, performance at City of Dreams Mediterranean and its satellite casinos was impacted by external factors, particularly geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that affected tourism flows.
As a result, Adjusted EBITDA for the segment declined to $9.0 million from $11.6 million a year earlier, despite a modest increase in total operating revenues to $65.3 million. Lower visitation translated into reduced gaming volumes, although hold percentages improved during the period.
Sri Lanka emerged as a new contributor following the launch of City of Dreams Sri Lanka in 2025. The operation generated $14.3 million in total revenues during the quarter and delivered a marginal positive EBITDA of $0.3 million, reflecting early-stage ramp-up conditions. The property includes both casino operations and hotel management services, with performance expected to evolve as the market develops.
SkyCity Entertainment Group has lowered its full-year 2026 earnings guidance, citing ongoing macroeconomic pressures, weaker consumer spending, and rising costs impacting operations across New Zealand and Australia, according to a market update released on May 1st.
The casino operator now expects underlying EBITDA for FY26 to range between NZ$180 million and NZ$190 million ($106 million to $112 million), down from its previous guidance of NZ$190 million to NZ$210 million.
Reported EBITDA is also forecast to decline to between NZ$155 million and NZ$165 million ($91 million to $97 million), compared with an earlier range of NZ$170.6 million to NZ$190.6 million.
SkyCity said trading and visitation have been affected since March 2026, particularly due to rising fuel prices, with the most pronounced impacts seen at its Auckland and Adelaide properties. The company noted that conditions have created uncertainty for the remainder of the fiscal year, with consumer discretionary spending under pressure.
“Significant uncertainty exists on the breadth and duration of prevailing macroeconomic conditions,” the company said, adding that further deterioration could affect its outlook.
In response, SkyCity has implemented cost-saving measures and exceeded its previously announced NZ$10 million savings target for FY26. Additional initiatives are now being introduced across operations and corporate functions, with support from external advisors.
The revised guidance also reflects slightly higher costs related to timing movements and foreign exchange impacts.
Separately, the company provided an update on its asset monetization program, confirming it has entered into a non-binding agreement for the potential sale of the 99 Albert Street office building and investment properties on Victoria Street. It is also seeking investor interest in The Grand Hotel.
South Korea’s Kangwon Land reported a sharp decline in net profit for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, even as gross gaming revenue climbed to KRW360 billion ($245 million), with surging selling, general and administrative expenses and a collapse in non-operating income identified as the primary drivers of the earnings shortfall.
The integrated resort, the only casino in South Korea legally permitted to admit local residents, posted net profit of KRW39.7 billion ($27 million) for the three months ended March 31st, 2026, down 46.8 percent year-on-year from KRW74.6 billion ($51 million) in the same period last year.
According to the financial update, total sales rose 3.4 percent year-on-year to KRW378.9 billion ($258 million), driven primarily by gaming revenue, which increased 4.3 percent to KRW330.4 billion ($225 million). Non-gaming revenue declined 1.8 percent to KRW48.6 billion ($33 million).
Operating profit fell 7.2 percent to KRW68.9 billion ($47 million), with the operating margin contracting to 18.2 percent from 20.3 percent a year earlier. SG&A expenses rose 17.6 percent year-on-year to KRW33.8 billion ($23 million), reflecting a voluntary retirement package payment of KRW2.4 billion ($1.6 million) and higher depreciation costs linked to ongoing safety reinforcement works in ground subsidence areas within the resort, which are expected to add approximately KRW2.7 billion ($1.8 million) per quarter through January 2028.
The steepest drag on net profit came from non-operating items. Financial profit dropped 81.9 percent to KRW4.2 billion ($2.9 million), reflecting a decrease in fair value gains on financial assets, while other profit swung to a loss of KRW19.2 billion ($13 million).
Kangwon Land has budgeted KRW145.4 billion ($99 million) in capital expenditure for fiscal year 2026, covering projects including a second casino construction, a VIP floor renovation, and an infinity pool at its Grand Hotel.
Playson, a top digital entertainment provider, releases 4 Chili Amigos: Hold and Win – a lively Mexican-themed slot with two bonus modes (up to three features) and a 10,000x Super Jackpot in Super Bonus play.
With gameplay unfolding against the backdrop of harmonious mariachi music, the iconic Hold and Win Bonus Game with Chili Features is triggered by any violet, yellow or green Chili Bonus symbols, which combine with matching-coloured sombrero Pots sitting above the reels.
The combination of the chili peppers that land on a spin will determine one of the following features:
Multi Feature – Triggered by the violet Chili Bonus symbol, multipliers of up to 5x are added to empty cells or applied to current Multipliers for increased values.
Mystery Feature – Each yellow Chili Bonus that appears during the round awards random coins or Jackpot coins.
Collect Feature – Green Chili Bonus symbols that appear during the Collect Feature gather the value of all symbols currently in play, including any Multipliers attached to a coin or Chili Bonus symbol.
In a fiery boost to win potential, if a red Super Chili Bonus symbol appears on the reels during the Main Game, the Super Bonus Game can be triggered with an expanded 5×5 grid and random Multi, Mystery or Collect Chili Features, or their random combination.
During the round, the activated Super Chili Feature will land random Chili Bonus symbols until six are present, leading to a new feature or the enhancement of the active one in play.
In line with the energetic nature of the release, Jackpots can be triggered across both Bonus Games. Filling all 15 cells in the classic Bonus Game holds the key to the Grand Jackpot, standing at 3,000x, while fortunate players who fill all 25 cells during the Super Bonus Game will be awarded with an exclusive Super Jackpot at a scintillating 10,000x.
Special Piñata Symbols also enrich bonus play, which, if landed, transform into violet, green or yellow Chilli Bonus symbols, once more boosting the active feature or bringing an additional one into the action.
Playson’s 4 Chili Amigos: Hold and Win underlines the supplier’s expertise in advancing its portfolio with intriguing twists, developing fresh concepts for operators’ players to enjoy across regulated markets worldwide.
“4 Chili Amigos: Hold and Win builds on the popularity of the classic Hold and Win format by introducing a more layered and interactive feature set,” said Anton Ivannikov, CPO at Playson. “With the addition of the Piñata mechanic, multiple Chili Features and an enhanced Super Bonus Game, the title delivers a vibrant experience that keeps players engaged while offering strong win potential.”
3 Oaks Gaming has released Lucky Apple x1000, a magical scatter pays slot featuring cascading mechanics and multipliers worth up to x1000. Set in an enchanted forest, the 6×5 slot invites players to join a fair maiden as she delivers rewarding gameplay.
Wins are triggered by landing eight matching symbols anywhere on the reels, while the Cascading Reels mechanic will see winning symbols removed, and new icons tumble down onto the reels to further heighten player anticipation with every spin.
Red Apple Symbols can appear randomly, either during the reel or assisted by the character, revealing multipliers from x2 to x1000. Any multipliers in view combine and are applied to the total win after the cascade.
Free Spins enhance the experience, with every multiplier from winning spins contributing to a growing Total Multiplier across the feature. In certain markets, players can also access the Bonus Shop, which offers two Free Spins options, including an upgraded round where multipliers range from x10 to x1000.
Lucky Apple x1000 captivates with its fairy-tale allure and epic 20,000x max win, injecting vibrant energy into 3 Oaks Gaming’s portfolio.
“Lucky Apple x1000 highlights our approach to combining strong themes with proven mechanics that resonate with players,” said Krasimir Pankovski, Sales Director at 3 Oaks Gaming. “By bringing together cascading reels, high-value multipliers and a cumulative Free Spins model, we’ve created a title designed for both engagement and longevity. The addition of the Bonus Shop adds further flexibility, supporting player choice while helping operators maximise performance as we continue to grow a competitive portfolio.”
