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Aristocrat Gaming and Studio City Macau launch innovative Dragon Zone for Golden Week

AGBrief Editorial
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Aristocrat Gaming and Studio City Macau launch innovative Dragon Zone for Golden Week

Aristocrat Gaming, a top-tier global provider of slot machines and hardware, has announced a partnership with Studio City, a Melco Resorts & Entertainment majority-owned property in Macau, to introduce Dragon Zone, a unique player experience in celebration of Golden Week this October.

The artfully designed installation takes inspiration from the art of Chinese papercraft to bring to life a unique player experience complete with bespoke designs and a full fleet of the latest games by Aristocrat Gaming.

Emily Schmitt, Aristocrat Gaming
Emily Schmitt, VP of International Marketing, Aristocrat Gaming

Featured in the zone is the award-winning Dragon Link™ game along with other newly released Aristocrat Gaming titles, including Bao Zhu Zhao Fu™ Red Festival and Blue Festival, blending traditional artistry with modern gaming technology, the zone offers a seamless fusion of an indoor gaming environment with the natural beauty of the outdoors, reflecting the seasonality, colours, and textures of Asia.

“We’re excited to partner with Studio City to launch this experience for all players during Golden Week” said Emily Schmitt, VP of International Marketing at Aristocrat Gaming.

“The team at Studio City share our focus in redefining the traditional gaming experience to drive player demand and loyalty in this market. What we’ve developed together is a blend of creativity, strategic thinking and differentiation,” Schmitt added.

Kevin Benning, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Studio City
Kevin Benning, SVP and Property General Manager of Studio City, Melco Resorts

Kevin Benning, Senior Vice President and Property General Manager of Studio City, commented: “The guest experience is central to everything we do, and it’s important that an innovative and memorable experience extends beyond the games on our floors. Working with Aristocrat Gaming to create such a unique experience enables us to bring this vision to life, offering an exclusive and engaging environment that sets us apart in the market, complete with popular Aristocrat games.”

The Dragon Zone opened on 21 September 2024 at Studio City in Macau and will be accessible to all players who visit the property during Golden Week and beyond.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Thai gamblers transitioning to online and mobile platforms

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Thai gamblers transitioning to online and mobile platforms

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Thai gamblers transitioning to online and mobile platforms

Online slot games are increasingly popular among Thai gamblers, with 44% of respondents favoring them, followed by 40 percent engaging in online sports betting, a recent TGM Research report reveals. The survey indicates that 20 percent of Thais have participated in gambling activities over the past year, with a potential adult audience in the country engaged in gambling or sports betting said to be around 14.3 million people.

Corporate Spotlight

Altenar brings premium sportsbook solution to Asia

Altenar brings premium sportsbook solution to Asia

Altenar, a leading sportsbook provider is bringing its global expertise to Asia, looking to expand its operations. Since 2011, Altenar has powered hundreds of online sports betting sites worldwide and is a major B2B provider in Europe and Latin America licensed markets.

1xBet, The most popular gambling games and slots in Asia

For global betting company 1xBet, Asia is a key market for several reasons. This is why 1xBet pays special attention to the Asian market and actively promotes its sports betting platform and the most popular gambling games on the continent.

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LET Group progresses work on Philippines project with new key agreements

Frank Schuengel
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LET Group progresses work on Philippines project with new key agreements

LET Group Holdings Limited, through its subsidiary Suntrust Resort Holdings, is progressing with its flagship 5-star hotel and casino project in Manila, Philippines.

Recent agreements with contractors EE Black and MDCC mark key developments in the construction of the Westside City Phase 1 Project, located at the Manila Bayshore Integrated City in Parañaque.

Westside City Project, Philippines, Suntrust Holdings
Manila Westside City
Westside City prject

EE Black, a U.S.-based firm, has been tasked with the design, supply, and installation of floors, walls, ceilings, and finishes for the casino and VIP gaming areas. This contract amounts to PHP1.5 billion ($26.5 million). With a strong track record in high-end resort projects, EE Black was selected for its expertise in architectural, mechanical, and electrical works.

MDCC, a Philippine-based construction firm, will handle the fit-out works for the public areas, including the main lobby and VIP lounges. Their work will involve installing partitions, built-in furniture, and other essential components. The contract with MDCC is valued at PHP426 million ($7.5 million).

These contracts are part of LET Group’s strategy to enhance its presence in the Philippines’ growing gaming sector. The group has secured financing for the project and expects it to boost earnings significantly once it is operational. The hotel and casino are expected to be fully operational by 2025, catering to domestic and international visitors.

LET Group is also expecting a property, plant, and equipment boost of approximately PHP1.8 billion ($31.8 million), as part of the development. Despite some liquidity impacts, the company remains confident about its long-term prospects.

As construction progresses rapidly, the agreements with EE Black and MDCC reflect LET Group’s commitment to delivering a world-class gaming and hospitality experience in Manila’s entertainment district. The project is expected to further strengthen the Philippines’ position as a top destination for casino tourism in Asia.

PAGCOR VP says POGO bribery allegations against Ex-PNP chief are ‘pure gossip’

Frank Schuengel
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PAGCOR VP says POGO bribery allegations against Ex-PNP chief are ‘pure gossip’

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) senior vice president Raul Villanueva admitted that his claim about a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief receiving bribes from illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) was based on mere gossip, according to a ranking official on Monday.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco revealed that Villanueva made this admission during a conversation initiated by PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, who had ordered an investigation into the claims following a recent Senate hearing.

“What Villanueva said was that he wasn’t pointing to anyone specifically, and that it was just rumors circulating within the intelligence community. I told him, ‘Sir, the former PNP chiefs are concerned, and this has become a significant issue within the PNP,'” Francisco explained during a phone interview.

As a result, Francisco confirmed that the CIDG would no longer pursue further investigation into Villanueva’s claims, stating that Villanueva acknowledged it was all just gossip. Villanueva also expressed his willingness to answer any media inquiries regarding the matter.

Francisco said he remains unsure why Villanueva made such a claim in the first place. “He said it was gossip, and that’s where our conversation ended,” Francisco added.

The CIDG chief will consult Gen. Marbil for further guidance on whether to pursue a case against Villanueva. Earlier, Marbil described Villanueva’s allegations as “damaging” to the entire police force.

PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil, Philippines

“General Villanueva’s allegation is damaging not just to the PNP but to the entire government. We represent law enforcement and peace and order, and this casts doubt on our integrity.”

PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil, Philippines

The Council of Chiefs, a group of former PNP leaders, previously challenged Villanueva to publicly name the retired PNP chief allegedly involved in POGO-related bribes. The group also called for a public apology from Villanueva if he is unable to substantiate his claims.

China stimulus provides medium-term support for Macau gaming: Seaport

Frank Schuengel
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China stimulus provides medium-term support for Macau gaming: Seaport

This reflects a year-over-year increase of +12 percent, but a month-over-month decline of -15.2 percent. While the month began strong, GGR has softened more than expected as September progresses.

Two typhoons played a significant role in this underperformance. One affected Guangdong, Macau, and Hong Kong, while another more severe storm hit Shanghai, a crucial feeder market for Macau. Despite this, the 12 percent year-on-year increase aligns with historical averages.

As a result of September’s weakness, Q4 GGR is expected to be slightly lower than Q2, ending at MOP 55.1 billion ($6.9 billion), representing a +12.9 percent year-on-year increase but a -2.4 percent decline quarter-over-quarter.

However, October’s outlook is much brighter. Seaport forecasts October GGR to hit MOP 21.5 billion ($2.68 billion), a +10.3 percent year-on-year rise and a +28 percent jump month-over-month.

MACAU-GGR-AUGUST-2024-vs-2019

This projection is based on strong hotel bookings and historical trends, with the October 1-7 Golden Week expected to generate MOP 950 million ($118.5 million) in GGR per day, a +4 percent increase from May’s Golden Week and +25 percent higher than Chinese New Year.

November and December are likely to follow typical seasonal patterns, although December may be slightly weaker due to an expected visit from General Secretary Xi, which could lead to a dip in activity during that period. As a result, Q4 GGR is forecasted to reach MOP 59.9 billion ($7.45 billion), a +10.6 percent year-over-year increase and a +8.6 percent quarter-over-quarter rise.

In a significant development, the Chinese government announced monetary policy stimulus on September 24th, which is expected to boost sentiment in China and Macau. Measures include reductions in the banking system’s reserve ratio, cuts to benchmark rates, adjustments to existing mortgage rates, and liquidity injections into brokers and insurance companies.

The government also announced an increase in state-owned enterprise (SOE) share buybacks to stimulate the Chinese stock market. More easing is anticipated, which markets welcomed, as there had been low expectations for meaningful stimulus in the short term. Following the announcement, the CSI 300 (China A-share benchmark) rose 4.3 percent, and the Hong Kong HSI increased by 4.1 percent.

Macau gaming stocks in Hong Kong saw gains between 2.4 percent and 6.6 percent. Seaport expects U.S. shares in the sector to reflect similar gains, despite the softer-than-expected September GGR.

Online slot games lead betting trends among Thai gamblers – Report

Nelson Moura
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Online slot games lead betting trends among Thai gamblers – Report

The report, one of six published recently by TGM centered on several APAC, has shed light on the evolving landscape of sports betting in Thailand, highlighting significant shifts in consumer behavior and preferences.

TGM Research

Conducted between June 1 and July 31, 2024, the survey gathered insights from a diverse group of 142 individuals aged 18 to 54, providing a comprehensive overview of betting habits in the country.

The report reveals that online and mobile platforms have transformed how Thais engage in sports betting, marking a notable shift from traditional methods.

Participants reported an increase in the frequency of betting on both casino-style games and sports, with a particular focus on the upcoming EURO 2024 tournament, which has sparked heightened interest among bettors.

According to TGM, 20 percent of the respondents have said they participated in gambling and sports betting activities in the previous 12 months, meaning, having visited a casino, placed a bet online, or betting on esports online.

The country’s potential adult audience engaged in the country engaged in gambling or sports betting was said to be around 14.3 million people.

In the past 12 months, online slot games have emerged as the most popular form of betting in Thailand, with 44 percent of respondents participating.

Sports betting through apps followed closely, with 40 percent placing bets on events like football and horse racing. Lottery games, such as Powerball and bingo, attracted 33 percent of gamblers, while another 33 percent engaged in online card games.

Informal sports betting among friends, in-person casino games, and real-life event wagers also featured prominently. Only 7 percent of respondents reported no gambling activities.

Betting frequency reveals that 34 percent of casino gamblers and 28 percent of sports bettors placed wagers a few times a week, a relatively frequent engagement. However, only 10 percent and 9 percent of gamblers bet on casino games and sports daily, respectively.

In comparison to the APAC region, Thailand exhibits similar gambling behaviors, though the APAC sees more moderate weekly engagement across casino and sports betting platforms.

Association reps flag concerns over satellite casino potential shutdowns

Viviana Chan
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Association reps flag concerns over satellite casino potential shutdowns

Representatives from the Macau gaming industry have raised concerns regarding the possible shutdowns of satellite casinos, citing their potential impact on local employment.

This issue arises in light of Macau’s new gaming law, which mandates that satellite venues must transition to a management company within three years, with the deadline set for the end of 2025. 

Under the current framework, management companies will not be entitled to share in gaming revenues; instead, they will only receive a management fee from the concessionaire.

In this context, concessionaires may evaluate the costs associated with maintaining satellite casinos, considering the return on investment (ROI), which may eventually lead them to decide to cease the operation of some satellite casinos.

In 2022, seven satellite casinos ceased operations in Macau, a decision made before the Legislative Assembly approved of the new gaming law bill.

Macau Landmark, Satellite Casinos

On September 19th, the Chief Executive candidate Sam Hou Fai’s campaign office met with a delegation from the Macao Gaming Industry Employees Home and the Macao Gaming Practitioners Volunteers Association. The industry representatives shared insights on the post-pandemic recovery of the gaming sector and the implications of the new law.

According to the press release, during the meeting, the representatives emphasized the crucial role that satellite casinos play in employing thousands of local workers.

The representatives called for the protection of the employment rights of gaming workers and highlighted that providing paid training is vital for the industry’s sustainable development. They urged that employees receive adequate support to adapt to the changing landscape.

The challenges faced by middle-aged and older workers were also significant concerns. The representatives suggested the need for targeted employment protection measures for this demographic.

Additionally, the necessity to enhance responsible gaming measures was underscored, promoting healthy growth in the industry while ensuring the physical and mental well-being of employees.

Sam Hou Fai’s campaign office expressed gratitude for the valuable insights shared by the representatives, committing to continue gathering feedback from various sectors of society to enrich and refine their policy platform.

Aristocrat blocks Light & Wonder’s Dragon Train sales with court ruling

AGBrief Editorial
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Aristocrat blocks Light & Wonder’s Dragon Train sales with court ruling
Light & Wonder, Dragon Train

On September 23rd, 2024, Judge Gloria M. Navarro of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada ruled in favor of Aristocrat in the ongoing lawsuit, affirming the company’s claims of intellectual property infringement. The court has prohibited Light & Wonder from engaging in “any continued or planned sale, leasing, or other commercialization of Dragon Train.”

The court determined that Aristocrat is “extremely likely to succeed” in proving that Light & Wonder misappropriated its trade secrets during the development of “Dragon Train”.

The ruling highlighted that Light & Wonder gained an unfair advantage by utilizing confidential information associated with Aristocrat’s leading games, Dragon Link and Lightning Link, enabling them to create “Dragon Train” without incurring equivalent time and financial investments. The court emphasized the importance of protecting trade secrets and preventing unfair competition.

Aristocrat appoints Matthew Primmer as Chief Product Officer
Matthew Primmer, CPO at Aristocrat

Matthew Primmer, Chief Product Officer of Aristocrat, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, “We are extremely pleased with the court’s decision. This ruling underscores the value of our intellectual property and reaffirms our commitment to protecting the integrity of our business. We will continue to innovate and invest in cutting-edge solutions, knowing that the law protects our creative efforts.”

Aristocrat plans to advance its case against Light & Wonder in the United States, seeking appropriate remedies for the harm caused by Light & Wonder’s actions. 

Additionally, earlier this year, the Federal Court of Australia granted Aristocrat pre-suit discovery against Light & Wonder, and the company is exploring its legal options in Australia.

Light & Wonder, Matt Wilson, sees a strong rebound in Asia driving further growth
Matt Wilson, CEO, Light & Wonder

Meanwhile, in response, Light & Wonder stated, “We respectfully disagree with the judge’s decision and will promptly file an appeal…. We will continue to vigorously defend against Aristocrat’s claims.”

The company reaffirmed its 2025 target of $1.4 billion in consolidated AEBITDA, which refers to adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortization.

Light & Wonder noted that its “pre-ruling estimate” for 2025 consolidated AEBITDA for “Dragon Train” was less than 5 percent of the $1.4 billion target.

Matt Wilson, president and chief executive of Light & Wonder, remarked, “We expect our strong growth trajectory to continue, notwithstanding this decision.”

Altenar strengthen esports offering with expanded DATA.BET partnership

AGBrief Editorial
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Altenar strengthen esports offering with expanded DATA.BET partnership

Altenar, a major sportsbook and iGaming software provider, has strengthened its long-term collaboration with premium esports betting specialist, DATA.BET, to significantly enhance its esports offering through the integration of official data feeds.

Altenar first partnered with DATA.BET earlier this year to integrate fully tailored odds and live score feeds on more than 30 esports disciplines. Central to its latest product upgrade is a new standalone esports lobby with intuitive navigation, a custom streaming player, and upcoming features including live scoreboards and a real-time map tracker.

As part of the extended agreement, Altenar will continue to set a new standard for sports betting with official logos and images across its esports feeds, providing its operator partners with an immersive and visually engaging experience.  These enhancements are set to improve market uptime, increase event coverage, and expand the variety of betting markets available for Altenar’s operator partners.

The collaboration underscores Altenar’s commitment to fostering successful long-term partnerships that meet the needs of the market, positioning the company at the forefront of the rapidly evolving esports vertical.

Dinos Doxiadis, Sportsbook Product Development Manager at Altenar, commented: “As esports continues its rise in popularity, especially with major events like the 2025 Esports Olympics approaching, the integration of DATA.BET’s official-only data has elevated our offering to another level. This standalone lobby will empower our partners to tap into a growing esports market, attracting and retaining players like never before.”

Over 60 applications submitted for SJM’s Kam Pek Market food stalls

Viviana Chan
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Over 60 applications submitted for SJM’s Kam Pek Market food stalls

The Kam Pek Market, set to open 10 food stalls in its first phase, has attracted over 60 applications and proposals, according to a statement from SJM Holdings.

Due to the ‘enthusiastic response’, the company has announced a delay in notifying the successful applicants. Originally scheduled for late September 2024, the announcement has been postponed to early October 2024 to allow for a more thorough evaluation and analysis of the submissions.

As part of the revitalization plan for Macau’s old districts, SJM Holdings plans to renovate the Kam Pek Community Centre into the “Kam Pek Market.” This new culinary and cultural landmark will feature international cuisine, trendy shopping, leisure activities, and arts, with the aim of attracting global tourists and supporting Macau’s economic diversification.

The Kam Pek Market is expected to open between the end of 2024 and the Lunar New Year in 2025. In this initial phase, 10 food stalls will be available for local businesses to bid on, with selection criteria based on operating hours, business strategy, and relevant experience. Details on the second phase, which will include dry goods and retail stalls on the second floor, will be announced at a later date.

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