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PAGCOR expands community support with new PTV donations

AGBrief Editorial
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PAGCOR expands community support with new PTV donations

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) donated 12 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to several local government units and an Army division at its Corporate Office in Pasay City on Tuesday, April 28.

The beneficiaries include the cities of La Carlota in Negros Occidental; the provinces of Northern Samar and Ilocos Norte; the municipalities of Roxas, Culion, San Vicente, and Quezon in Palawan; Tibiao and San Jose de Buenavista in Antique; Kumalarang in Zamboanga del Sur; Tagoloan in Lanao del Norte; and the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division of the Philippine Army based in Zamboanga del Sur.

PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro H. Tengco said the donations aim to strengthen emergency response capabilities particularly in underserved communities.

“These PTVs are meant to help our local governments and frontline agencies respond more efficiently to medical emergencies […] Through this program, PAGCOR fulfills the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to help bring essential health services closer to our people, especially in areas where access remains a challenge.”

Alejandro H. Tengco

Kumalarang Mayor Ruel Molina expressed gratitude for the support extended to his municipality.

PAGCOR expands community support with new PTV donations

“Una, nagpapasalamat kami kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dahil nabibigyan ng pansin ang mga lokal na pamahalaan. Malaking bagay po ito para sa amin,” Mayor Molina said.

“Sa PAGCOR, maraming salamat dahil hindi ninyo kami binigo. Pangarap namin ang magkaroon ng PTV, at ito ay patunay na ang tulong ay naibibigay sa mga nangangailangan sa pamamagitan ng maayos na proseso, nang walang halong pulitika.”

Each donated PTV is equipped with essential medical and safety features, including a stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, first aid kit, and navigation system to ensure safe and efficient patient transport.

To date, PAGCOR has donated 182 PTV units to provinces, cities, municipalities, and national government agencies nationwide.

SA Gaming partners with BlueOcean Gaming to expand global reach

AGBrief Editorial
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SA Gaming partners with BlueOcean Gaming to expand global reach

SA Gaming has unveiled a strategic alliance with BlueOcean Gaming, a prominent B2B online gambling software provider, through which its complete portfolio of premium live casino games will be seamlessly delivered via BlueOcean’s GameHub to a broad network of operators.

This partnership provides SA Gaming with a powerful gateway to new markets, enabling the company to reach a wider audience. At the same time, BlueOcean Gaming enhances its gaming portfolio by incorporating SA Gaming’s live dealer games.

Through a single API integration, operator clients gain seamless access to SA Gaming’s engaging content, allowing them to deliver a top-tier live casino experience to their players.

“Integrating SA Gaming into our GameHub platform is an important step in strengthening our live casino offering,” said George Wadsworth, Director of Business Development at BlueOcean Gaming. “Their proven track record, high production standards, and globally recognized content bring significant value to our operators. We are confident that this partnership will enhance player engagement and support continued growth across multiple markets.”

St8 strengthens global reach through Games Global partnership

AGBrief Editorial
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St8 strengthens global reach through Games Global partnership

Casino games aggregator and full-service technology provider St8 has partnered with Games Global in a deal that will see the supplier’s wide-ranging portfolio of titles made available to operators in regulated markets worldwide.

Through the collaboration, Games Global’s content portfolio will initially be rolled out to St8’s operator network in Ontario, with additional markets expected to follow as the collaboration expands.

Games Global’s high-performing library is developed by its exclusive studio partners, including Alchemy Gaming, Gameburger Studios, Fortune Factory Studios, Stormcraft Studios, PearFiction Studios, ALL FOR ONE Studios, Foxium, among many others, providing operators with proven, player-favourite titles.

The deal significantly strengthens St8’s growing offering, giving its operator partners seamless access to leading content with global appeal through one connection, alongside promotional tools, reporting capabilities and full compliance coverage.

St8 has rapidly been expanding into new markets in the last 12 months, including gaining supplier licenses in the UK, Ontario and most recently Sweden.

As the company continues to scale its platform across regulated markets, the collaboration with Games Global represents another step in St8’s broader growth strategy, expanding its network of leading suppliers and further diversifying the content available to operators.

Vladimir Negine, CEO at St8, said: “Our focus at St8 is giving operators the right foundations to grow in regulated markets. Joining forces with Games Global strengthens our content offering with a portfolio that has proven appeal with players worldwide. We look forward to bringing these titles to our partners, beginning with Ontario and expanding into additional regulated markets.”

Mark MacCombie, CCO at Games Global, added: “We’re really pleased to be working with St8, as it allows us to expand the reach of our content across a broader network of operators. Their scalable platform gives us an efficient route to market, helping us deliver content from our extensive roster of exclusive studios to new audiences.”

BETBY introduces “Stories” to drive engagement and promote sportsbook content

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BETBY introduces “Stories” to drive engagement and promote sportsbook content

BETBY has unveiled Stories, a new feature aimed at improving how operators highlight promotions and major events for their players.

Inspired by the widely adopted Stories format seen across social media platforms, the feature introduces a familiar, intuitive way for bettors to discover and engage with content directly within the sportsbook interface.

As competition for user attention continues to intensify, operators face the ongoing challenge of delivering promotions and updates in a way that cuts through the noise without overwhelming the user experience. Stories addresses this by offering a dynamic, swipeable format that brings key content — such as bonuses, tournaments, major sporting events, and boosted odds — into a more engaging and accessible space.

Fully integrated into BETBY’s sportsbook environment, Stories enables bettors to seamlessly browse through short, interactive content cards, mirroring the mechanics they already use daily on social platforms. This familiarity plays a key role in driving immediate interaction, lowering the barrier to engagement, and creating additional touchpoints between operators and their users.

By introducing a format that naturally encourages exploration, Stories helps increase visibility across promotional campaigns while supporting higher engagement rates. Each new Story acts as a trigger for curiosity, prompting users to click through and discover new offers or events, ultimately contributing to improved promo turnover.

The feature feels particularly intuitive to younger demographics, who are already accustomed to this style of interaction. By aligning sportsbook UX with established digital behaviors, BETBY allows operators to connect with these audiences in a more organic and impactful way.

“Stories is about meeting users where they already are, in terms of how they consume content,” said Aglaja Geta, Head of UX & Analytics at BETBY. “We wanted to introduce a format that feels instantly familiar, while giving operators a powerful new way to highlight their most important promotions and events. It creates a smoother, more engaging experience that encourages interaction without adding complexity to the platform.”

From an operational perspective, Stories offers a streamlined way to enhance the front-end experience without requiring structural changes to the sportsbook. The feature integrates seamlessly, allowing operators to enrich their content strategy while maintaining a clean and intuitive interface.

Macau expects up to 220,000 daily visitor arrivals during Labor Day peak

Viviana Chan
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Macau expects up to 220,000 daily visitor arrivals during Labor Day peak

Macau authorities expect daily visitor arrivals to reach between 210,000 and 220,000 during peak periods of the five-day Mainland China Labor Day holiday from May 1st to May 5th, with the highest traffic forecast on May 2nd.

The projections were announced during a joint briefing by multiple government departments on Tuesday. Overall, border crossings are estimated at between 3.6 million and 3.7 million for the holiday period, with daily averages of 720,000 to 740,000, broadly in line with the same period last year.

As previously reported by AGB, Macau’s tourism industry is expecting strong visitor arrivals during the Labor Day holiday, with industry representatives projecting that daily volumes could exceed recent peaks as demand from nearby mainland cities remains strong. During last year’s Labor Day holiday, Macau recorded approximately 850,000 visitor arrivals, with average daily arrivals reaching about 170,000.

At the same briefing, police said they will increase patrols across major tourist districts, attractions, and high-traffic areas to maintain public order and prevent crime. Contingency plans have been prepared to address potential congestion, with crowd control measures to be introduced if required.

In terms of transport arrangements, authorities will coordinate with holiday initiatives such as themed bus routes and the introduction of pedestrian-only zones in Taipa Village and areas near Rua da Felicidade, supporting temporary traffic control measures.

Separately, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) said it is preparing a range of measures to receive visitors, including promotional campaigns, cross-department inspections, and closer coordination with industry stakeholders to maintain service quality.

Officials encouraged visitors to stagger travel plans and use the “Smart Passenger Flow” application, which provides real-time data across 114 tourist sites. 

The Star narrows losses 96% to AU$1M, driven by cost cuts

Viviana Chan
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The Star narrows losses 96% to AU$1M, driven by cost cuts

The Star Entertainment Group reported an EBITDA loss of AU$1 million ($720,000) for the quarter ended March 31st, 2026, narrowing losses by 96 percent year-on-year, according to an ASX filing.

Revenue for the period totaled AU$266 million ($191.4 million), down 12 percent quarter-on-quarter and 1 percent compared with the prior corresponding period. 

The AU$23 million ($16.5 million) year-on-year improvement in EBITDA was attributed to cost-saving initiatives and higher operator fee revenue, although results were impacted by seasonal softening and lower gaming visitation in Sydney.

The company noted that second-quarter (2QFY26) results included an AU$11 million ($7.9 million) operator fee revenue true-up related to The Star Brisbane, affecting quarter-on-quarter comparability.

At The Star Sydney, revenue declined 10 percent from the previous quarter to AU$147 million ($105.8 million) and fell 9 percent year-on-year. EBITDA loss narrowed to AU$4 million ($2.9 million), from AU$9 million in the prior corresponding period.

The group cited continued softness in table games, with average daily revenue down 20 percent since the full implementation of mandatory carded play and AU$5,000 ($3,594) daily cash limits in October 2024.

The Star Gold Coast generated revenue of AU$101 million ($72.7 million), down 6 percent quarter-on-quarter but up 5 percent year-on-year. EBITDA rose to AU$8 million ($5.8 million), supported by stronger volumes in electronic gaming machines and hospitality, partially offset by softer table game performance.

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

For The Star Brisbane, the group reported AU$15 million ($10.8 million) in operator fee revenue under its casino management agreement, following the completion of its exit from the Destination Brisbane Consortium joint venture on April 1st, 2026. After allocating corporate costs, the segment recorded an EBITDA loss of AU$4 million ($2.9 million).

Available cash stood at AU$90 million ($64.7 million) as of March 31st, 2026. The group has entered into a binding commitment letter with funds associated with WhiteHawk Capital Partners to refinance its existing debt and provide additional liquidity. It aims to complete the refinancing by May 15th, 2026, in line with conditions tied to lender waivers.

The company said its ability to continue as a going concern remains subject to material uncertainties, despite progress on refinancing and strategic initiatives.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Belle Corp. 1Q26 gaming share up 12% to $8M

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Belle Corp. 1Q26 gaming share up 12% to $8M
Good morning. Belle Corp. posted a 12 percent increase in its share of gaming revenues from City of Dreams Manila in 1Q26, maintaining momentum despite industry headwinds. Philippine business sentiment deteriorated sharply in March, with confidence hitting a 25-year low, according to a survey conducted by the country’s central bank. Weaker sentiment may weigh on gaming and tourism, as softer consumer spending could reduce visitation and discretionary spending in casinos. Meanwhile, in Macau, SJM Holdings said restructuring efforts are laying the groundwork for improved margins in 2026.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

PHILIPPINES

City Of Dreams Manila, Philippines, Belle Corp.

Belle Corp. records 12% increase in COD Manila gaming share

Belle Corporation posted a 12 percent rise in its share of City of Dreams Manila gaming revenues to $8 million in 1Q26, reversing declines seen in previous quarters. Overall, the company’s total revenues increased 9 percent year-on-year to $23.4 million, while net income rose 13 percent, supported by gaming contributions, stable lease income, and stronger performance across its real estate and utility segments.

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SOFTSWISS invites iGaming pros to shape the 2027 Trends Report

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SOFTSWISS invites iGaming pros to shape the 2027 Trends Report

Participants can share their perspectives on market developments, player behaviour, technology, and regulation. SOFTSWISS will use these inputs to identify key trends expected to define the industry in 2027. The most insightful contributors will be invited to take part in in-depth interviews and featured in the final report published later this year.

SOFTSWISS’ annual trends reports are amongthe most widely read publications in the industry. The previous edition, the 2026 iGaming Trends Report, drew more than 10,000 downloads among industry practitioners. It was based on a survey of over 350 iGaming professionals, combined with independent analytics from a research agency, and internal insights from 30 SOFTSWISS experts.

“iGaming moves fast, and the people who understand it best are the ones working in it every day,” said Valentina Bagniya, CMO at SOFTSWISS. “This report has always been built on real expertise – not assumptions – and that’s what makes it valuable to the entire industry. If industry experts have a perspective on where the market is heading, this is a chance to share it and reach thousands of professionals worldwide. The more voices we include, the sharper and more useful the final report becomes – for everyone who reads it.”

The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and is open to professionals across the industry, including product, technology, marketing, compliance, and investment.

HKJC shatters World Pool record with $12.4M single-race win handle

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HKJC shatters World Pool record with $12.4M single-race win handle

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) established a new all-time record for the highest World Pool Win handle on a single race during Sunday’s FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin Racecourse.

The G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize generated a total Win pool handle of HK$97.1 million ($12.39 million), fueled largely by the dominant performance of world-class sprinter Ka Ying Rising.

The figure represents a 30 percent increase over the previous record of HK$63.8 million ($8.14 million), which was also set by Ka Ying Rising during the G2 Sprint Cup earlier this month. 

Of the total handle, HK$94.4 million ($12.04 million) was wagered on Ka Ying Rising alone, who secured his 20th consecutive victory by four-and-a-half lengths. The horse returned at odds of 1.05, the minimum possible return within the World Pool framework, while only HK$2.7 million ($344,387) was wagered on the remaining seven runners.

The record-breaking race contributed to a significant surge in overall engagement, with total betting turnover for the 11-race card rising 18 percent year-over-year to HK$1.798 billion ($229.34 million).

“I’ve never seen a tote figure like this, with almost HK$100 million in the Win pool,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. He noted that Ka Ying Rising’s ability to break track records effortlessly while dominating world-class competition like Satono Reve was “absolutely sensational.”

Philippine business confidence sinks to 25-year low in March: central bank

Viviana Chan
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Philippine business confidence sinks to 25-year low in March: central bank

Business sentiment in the Philippines fell to its weakest level in more than 25 years in March, as rising fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions weighed on consumer spending expectations.

The data, reported by Wealth Insights.ph and based on figures from the central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), signal a sharp deterioration in the business outlook.

The downturn comes amid earlier AGB reporting that an oil price shock could also pressure the gaming sector by reducing disposable income.

The BSP’s latest Business Expectations Survey showed the confidence index (CI) for March dropped sharply to -24.3 percent, from 8.2 percent in February. The reading marks the lowest level since late 2001, indicating a significant shift toward pessimism among surveyed firms.

The central bank attributed the decline primarily to the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has driven up global oil prices. Higher fuel costs have translated into increased domestic prices, raising concerns that consumer spending will weaken as households face rising costs for goods and services.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Philippines Central Bank, Online Gambling payment regulations

Forward-looking indicators also deteriorated. The three-month-ahead CI fell to -17.3 percent, while the year-ahead index dropped to 11.7 percent, both reflecting reduced optimism about economic conditions. Firms cited expectations that the effects of higher energy prices would persist, continuing to weigh on business activity and demand.

Financial conditions also tightened. The survey showed firms reporting weaker cash positions, with the financial condition index declining further into negative territory. Access to credit also worsened, suggesting businesses may face greater difficulty securing financing in the near term.

Businesses also highlighted structural challenges, including intense domestic competition, insufficient demand, and elevated interest rates. Rising production costs linked to higher oil prices were identified as an emerging constraint.

Employment expectations weakened, with hiring outlook indicators turning slightly negative for the coming quarter and declining further for the year ahead. However, some firms indicated they would proceed with expansion plans already in progress before the escalation of geopolitical tensions.

On the macroeconomic front, respondents expect the Philippine peso to depreciate further and borrowing costs to rise. Inflation expectations also increased, with businesses projecting higher price levels in the coming months. Headline inflation in March reached 4.1 percent, while the BSP forecasts inflation to remain above its target ceiling in the near term.

The March survey covered 515 firms and was conducted throughout the month, capturing sentiment following the onset of geopolitical disruptions in global energy markets.

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