The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in the Philippines has announced that it is close to arresting at least four suspected financiers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) of Chinese and Malaysian-Chinese descent.
Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon (New Philippines Now) briefing, PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio revealed that the agency is zeroing in on these financiers and could make arrests within days or weeks.
“Most of them are Chinese, and a few are Malaysian-Chinese. So, may we have a lead,” Casio said, noting that they are actively monitoring these individuals and building cases against them.
“In the next few days, maybe we can arrest them,” he added.
Casio referred to these individuals as POGO and “junket financiers,” emphasizing that the evidence against them is strong due to extensive monitoring efforts.
“I’m sure they’re not just four. They have others with them, but, so far, we’re monitoring the four,” he explained.
Despite the PAOCC’s earlier reports that POGO operations have dwindled since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered their ban in July, Casio acknowledged the difficulties in tracking down those still operating underground. “There are quite a few underground operations, and it’s been challenging to catch up,” he admitted.
The President has directed relevant government agencies to shut down all POGO hubs by the end of this year due to their links to criminal activities. Casio assured that the task force would continue its operations beyond December 31st if needed.
“We will continue our mandate. Assuming that some POGOs will remain beyond December, we will still go after them and shut them down,” he concluded.
The Supreme People’s Court (SPC), China’s top judicial authority, reported that judges across the country heard approximately 27,000 criminal cases involving illegal gambling operations between January and September.
This figure represents a 10.65 percent year-on-year increase.
Over the nine-month period, Chinese courts have intensified their efforts to combat gambling-related crimes, particularly cross-border activities, as part of a broader initiative to safeguard national security and maintain social stability.
In a press release, the SPC highlighted seven typical cases to unify sentencing standards for gambling crimes, demonstrating its commitment to ensuring consistent and lawful punishment.
One high-profile case, reported in July by China’s state-owned television network CCTV, involved a cross-border gambling syndicate led by Suncity Group founder Alvin Chau. According to court documents, this syndicate processed more than RMB300 billion ($42.2 billion) in bets from Chinese gamblers between 2015 and 2019.
The Chau case has been also recognized as one of China’s Top 10 Cases of 2023 and serves as a prime example of cross-border gambling operations. The SPC spotlighted this case as typical of the issue, stressing the enormous capital outflow from China and the significant social harm it caused.
At the time, the SPC emphasized that the problem of offshore casinos and internet gambling syndicates targeting Chinese citizens had grown increasingly severe in recent years, contributing to the massive capital outflow. The SPC identified six cross-border gambling cases as particularly significant, including the Chau case.
Alvin Chau, former head of Suncity Group, Macau’s then-largest junket operator
The court revealed that Chau operated VIP rooms in several Macau casinos and established multiple online gambling platforms in the Philippines and other regions since 2015. He also recruited agents, who became integral members of the organization’s operations.
By November 2021, Suncity Group had developed over 480 shareholder-level agents, more than 280 of whom were Chinese nationals, and recruited over 60,000 ordinary agents, including 38,000 Chinese nationals. The group had also attracted over 60,000 customers from China, according to SPC data.
Chau was arrested by Macau’s Judiciary Police in November of 2021 and charged with illegal gambling and gang-related crimes. In January 2023, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, a sentence upheld after his appeals were rejected earlier this month.
Tom Horn Gaming, a leading igaming software provider, unveils 27 Crystal Fruits, the newest addition to their popular Crystal Fruits series.
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27 Crystal Fruits is designed to appeal to both new and experienced players, offering medium volatility with an RTP of 95.07%. The game’s simple yet dynamic mechanics, coupled with its colorful visuals and crisp animations, create a highly engaging gaming experience, blending nostalgia with features attractive to contemporary gamers.
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VIP baccarat revenue in Macau for the third quarter of 2024 was just under MOP13.08 billion ($1.64 billion), accounting for 23.5 percent of the total gross gaming revenue (GGR) of nearly MOP55.6 billion ($6.95 billion) during the period.
This data was released on Wednesday by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), the city’s casino regulator.
In the VIP segment, third-quarter revenue decreased slightly by 1.7 percent compared to the previous quarter but rose by 11.1 percent year-on-year, up from MOP11.77 billion ($1.47 billion) in the same period last year.
During the three months leading up to September 30th, revenue from mass-market baccarat reached nearly MOP34.09 billion ($4.26 billion), reflecting a sequential decline of 1.6 percent and accounting for approximately 61.3 percent of the market share.
However, mass-market baccarat revenue saw a year-on-year increase of 14.5 percent, compared to MOP29.77 billion ($3.7 billion) in the previous year.
Slot machine revenue amounted to nearly MOP3.1 billion ($388 million), representing a market share of approximately 5.6 percent, with a quarter-on-quarter decline of 2.9 percent.
Overall revenue in the mass-market segment, including slot machines, totaled just under MOP42.52 billion ($5.32 billion), accounting for 76.5 percent of Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) from July to September.
Earlier this month, Bank of America noted that while 3Q24 GGR experienced a 13 percent year-on-year increase, there was a slight 1 percent decline compared to the previous quarter, largely attributed to typical seasonal trends.
For 3Q24, a 6 percent decline in EBITDA is expected quarter-on-quarter, attributed to increased promotional efforts across the industry.
In the upcoming earnings season, Bank of America anticipates that among the gaming operators, SJM Holdings will demonstrate the strongest performance, with a 20 percent growth in EBITDA in 3Q24 compared to the previous quarter, driven by the continued ramp-up of its Grand Lisboa Palace. In contrast, other operators are likely to see a decline in EBITDA.
The Macau Legislative Assembly has approved the final reading of a new legal framework set to enhance administrative powers to tackle gambling crimes.
The bill was first proposed by the SAR authorities in February of this year in a bid to promote ‘sustainable growth and enhance regulation within the casino gambling sector’, and includes higher penalties for activities such as illicit currency exchange in casinos, and increased investigation powers for security forces.
The approved law will help revise regulations enacted over 20 years ago as authorities urged the need to require updates to better define criminal offenses, optimize penalties, and enhance criminal investigation processes.
The definitions of several illegal activities were further clarified, including the definition of ‘parallel betting’ – where unauthorized bets by individuals (sometimes of exponential figures and whose GGR can’t be taxed) are conducted based on the outcomes of games on the premises of licensed casinos.
The new law also raises the penalty framework for crimes associated with illegal gambling and includes improvements to penal and procedural norms, such as optimizing accessory penalties and introducing criminal liability for corporate entities involved in illegal gambling.
The maximum penalty for these cases is currently three years in prison, but when the new regime comes into force, the maximum penalty will rise to eight years in prison. On the other hand, anyone who collaborates or participates in any way in the illegal gambling operation will face a prison sentence of up to three years.
During its evaluation at the Standing Committee level, legislators requested the administration better clarify the definition of what constitutes illegal gambling, citing, for example, if playing mahjong at home, in a restaurant, or playing cards in a garden, among other games, without government authorization, would be considered illegal gambling.
In its response, the Macau administration stated that illegal gambling involves profit motives, therefore playing mahjong at home without sharing profits or other profit-driven purposes will not be considered illegal gambling.
In a reply to a question by a legislator, Macau’s Secretary for Administration and Justice also clarified that the sale of lottery tickets by local businesses, such as the Mark Six, would continue to be considered an illegal exploration of gambling activities.
The Mark Six is a lottery organized by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and is highly popular in the neighboring SAR.
Longer pre-trial detention and undercover agents
Additionally, the new regime will also escalate penalties concerning illegal loans for gambling, with those convicted of this crime facing a prison sentence of up to five years. Previously, illegal loans were punishable by a maximum of three years in prison.
The law also includes provisions for undercover agents, creating a new protection regime for those who provide information or collaborate with the police in identifying criminals.
Furthermore, the provisions to prevent detainees under this law from communicating with anyone other than their lawyer were also added, with criminal investigators allowed to carry out nighttime residential searches between 9 pm and 7 am in certain crime cases.
In an intervention before the voting on Wednesday, legislator Chan Chak Mo, who headed the Standing Committee in charge of evaluating the bill, supported extending the maximum duration of preventive detention, arguing that longer investigation periods are necessary to prevent evidence destruction.
Those convicted of the crimes – specified in the law – may also be subject to ‘isolated or cumulative’ ancillary penalties, such as ‘expulsion or prohibition from entering the SAR for a period of five to 10 years’ for non-residents.
They may also be prohibited from entering certain establishments or places, from exercising certain professions or activities, or from holding public office. Each penalty can be applied for a period of two to 10 years.
This initiative followed separate amendments in 2022 to existing regulations governing casino operations, while a separate draft law exclusively concerning credit activities for gambling purposes enforced on August 1st of this year.
Illicit currency exchanges targeted
Under the new law, incurring in illicit currency exchange activities linked to gambling could lead to violators facing prison sentences of up to five years, targeting groups offering to exchange Hong Kong Dollars for other currencies – a common fixture in Macau IRs.
The legislation presumes that currency exchanges conducted within casinos are intended for gambling, encompassing all facilities dedicated to gambling and adjacent venues that offer related activities.
The proposed law defines the crime of ‘illicit currency exchange for gambling’ as engaging in currency exchange without legal authorization for the purpose of gambling, and clarifies that this excludes informal exchanges among family and friends. Legal operators—such as licensed banks and currency exchange businesses—are exempt from these restrictions.
Under the new regulations, if criminal investigations reveal illicit currency exchanges in casinos, operators will need to demonstrate that their exchanges are not intended for gambling.
Notably, the presumption does not extend to illicit exchanges occurring outside casinos unless there is substantial evidence, such as witness testimonies, linking them to gambling.
Importantly, Macau authorities clarified to legislators that clients who participate in these illicit exchanges will not face penalties, as requesting currency exchange from unauthorized operators does not imply intent to exploit the system for gambling purposes.
However, during the plenary session, legislator José Pereira Coutinho commented that the law does not address the root of the issue, stating that most informal currency exchanges for gambling purposes would likely just move outside casinos or resorts.
Legislator Coutinho also warned that these activities would continue since the number of legal currency exchange shops in the SAR was not sufficient to address demand, and their exchange rates remained high.
ESA Gaming, an innovative games provider, has strengthened its partnership with Novibet by successfully integrating its Game Aggregation System (GAS) into the operator’s platform.
With this new agreement, Novibet’s players will now gain access to thousands of third-party games from over 70 leading providers, including a variety of slots, live dealer experiences, and a broad selection of non-traditional titles.
The partnership between ESA Gaming and Novibet first began in 2023, when ESA Gaming’s mobile-first, lightweight games such as Dragon Mine, Goal Mine, and the crash-style hit Big Fish Bonanza were introduced to Novibet’s offering.
This latest development highlights the growing appeal of ESA Gaming’s aggregation platform, which has recently added several top-tier providers.
Thomas Smallwood,Chief Commercial Officer at ESA Gaming, said: “We’re thrilled to deepen our relationship with Novibet and bring even more value to their players through our comprehensive GAS platform. By providing access to a wider variety of games from some of the best providers in the industry, we’re confident that this will enrich the gaming experience and drive continued growth for both parties.”
Foteini Matthaiou, Casino Product & CRM Director at Novibet, metioned: “Partnering with ESA Gaming has allowed us to elevate our offering and provide our players with an exceptional selection of titles. The integration of their Game Aggregation System is a significant step forward, ensuring that we remain competitive in an ever-evolving market. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and delivering even more engaging experiences to our customers.”
MGM China Holdings Limited (MGM China) announced its selection as a constituent of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index (HSSUSB) for the third consecutive year, recognizing its outstanding performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.
MGM China also ranked in the top 50 best-in-class ESG performers out of 550 listed companies assessed and honorably included in The Hang Seng ESG 50 Index this year. The Company is also proud to be the only Macau-based company included as a constituent member of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series and attained rating of A in the sustainability assessment.
MGM China has made significant efforts to achieve excellent ESG performance. The Company’s firm commitment to sustainability in its operations and reporting with integrity has been recognized with the Best GRI Report at the 2023 Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards.
Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited
Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited said, “MGM endeavors to continue working towards the realization of our Sustainability Vision ‘Create a Better Tomorrow Today’ by considering the impact of every decision we made, which leads us to shape a more sustainable future for our business, the community and Macau. We strive to strengthen our sustainability governance with the continuous enhancement of our sustainability framework and strategic pillars in business operations and stakeholder engagement, to benefit the people and environment in Macau as well as the Greater Bay Area.”
The HSSUSB, part of the prestigious Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series, provides an objective and reliable benchmark for sustainability investments. Only the top 20% of securities with the highest sustainability performance score would be selected as constituents of the Index.
The seven aspects rated by the assessment framework include: corporate governance, human rights, labor practices, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development. Review for this assessment is conducted annually and by invitation only.
Digitain, a leading company in Sportsbook and iGaming solutions, has partnered with Latin American regulated retail operator Colombo Sport to provide its state-of-the-art retail cashier and sportsbook solution in the Dominican Republic.
Digitain will power the brand’s fast-growing network of premium retail sports betting shops with its retail cashier solution and extensive in-house and award-winning sportsbook content, featuring localized events and betting market types.
This includes Digitain’s in-house virtual sports, with 20,000 daily events, occurring every 2 minutes. The Sportsbook includes features such as Book-a-bet, native Betbuilder, Sports Jackpot Cashout and live score-center visualisations all of which can be tailored for the Dominican market.
Iain Hutchison, Chief Revenue Officer at Digitain, expressed his delight about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to offer our proven and scalable retail cashier and sportsbook solutions to Colombo Sport’s premium sports betting shops. They are a well-known betting brand in the Dominican Republic and wider Central Latin America and their commitment to customer excellence and satisfaction perfectly aligns with our values. We are excited about this collaboration that will undoubtedly enhance the sports betting experience for Colombo Sport’s growing premium retail expansion over the next few months.”
Aldrin Paredes, CEO of Colombo Sport, added, “Partnering with Digitain is a significant milestone for the Colombo Sport brands’ expansion. Digitain’s innovative solutions and industry expertise will enable us to provide our customers with an improved retail sportsbook experience. We anticipate a fruitful collaboration to drive growth and deliver exceptional value to our business in the Central Latin American market.”
Sands Macao has been awarded the renowned title of Best Integrated Resort (Asia Pacific) at the Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards 2024.
This prestigious recognition reflects the leading integrated resort city’s commitment to excellence, world-class hospitality and exceptional guest experiences that define it as a leader in the region’s competitive travel and leisure industry.
Stephanie Tanpure, Vice President of Sales at Sands China Ltd. said, “We are honored to be recognized once again by Travel Weekly Asia. This award highlights not only the dedication and professionalism of our team members but also our commitment to offering guests unmatched luxury, entertainment and relaxation. We look forward to continuing to exceed guests’ expectations and create lasting memories, while also raising Macao’s profile as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”
Stephanie Tanpure, VP of Sales at Sands China Ltd., attended the award ceremony and accepted the award on behalf of Sands Resorts Macao.
Recognized as an award-winning resort, Sands Resorts Macao is an integrated resort city and international hub providing an industry-leading array of experiences for business and leisure travelers. Consisting of three interconnected European-themed integrated resorts, The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, and The Londoner Macao, guests can enjoy an extensive itinerary without ever stepping outside, including ten international hotel brands, cuisines from around the world at more than 150 restaurants, duty-free shopping at approximately 850 shops, and world-class entertainment.
The Venetian MacaoThe Parisian MacaoThe Londoner Macao
The Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 recognizes outstanding international travel operators with demonstrated commitment to service, innovation, and excellence. Winners are voted by travel professionals and readers of Travel Weekly Asia, one of the most trusted and influential travel trade publications in the region.
The Macau Economic Association is forecasting an annual GDP of MOP400 billion ($50 billion) for 2024, showing an optimistic outlook despite the headwinds.
The estimate represents a year-on-year growth rate between 8 percent and 11 percent, bringing the economy back to about 87-90 percent of the levels seen in the same period of 2019.
The association highlighted the robust performance of key economic indicators during the peak summer tourism months of August and September. Visitor numbers, hotel occupancy rates, and employment figures all showed significant improvement, suggesting a healthy recovery in the tourism sector.
Macau Visitor Arrivals 2024
Out of the thirteen indicators used in their economic index, seven remained in the “overheated” or “hot” categories, while four indicators were classified as “stable.” However, the association noted concerns regarding consumer confidence among mainland Chinese tourists, as well as the stock prices of Macau’s gaming operators, which remained at a “lackluster” level. This indicates a persistent imbalance and lack of coordination in the overall economic environment.
Despite the positive trends, the overall economy in the third quarter of 2024 is expected to stabilize following a strong recovery in 2023. Given the high baseline from last year, Macau’s GDP growth for 3Q24 is projected to show a noticeable decline, with estimates placing it at approximately 4.2 percent.
The cumulative GDP for the first three quarters of 2024 is estimated to be around MOP290 billion ($36.2 billion), using expenditure-based calculations from 2022.
Non-performing loans
On the same note, the Macau Economic Association indicates that a troubling trend has emerged, with the non-performing loan (NPL) rate in Macau reaching a record high of 5.11 percent in August 2024. This figure is significantly above that of neighboring regions and poses risks to the profitability of local banks, increasing the asset risks they face.
On a positive note, mainland China’s government is intensifying its counter-cyclical macroeconomic policies.
In late September, aggressive stimulus measures were introduced, focusing on expanding domestic demand and revitalizing capital markets across five key areas. These policies are expected to promote economic growth and significantly enhance market confidence, potentially mitigating the high non-performing loan rates in Macau.
Meanwhile, various analysts expect that China’s stimulus could further support Macau’s gaming performance in the medium term.
