The Australian government is contemplating significant restrictions on gambling advertising, which could include a complete ban on digital ads and a prohibition on television commercials for one hour before and after sports broadcasts.
This initiative, set to be implemented in 2025, would also prevent sports commentators from discussing betting odds during games.
According to Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell, the proposed regulations would limit gambling ads to two per hour outside the restricted periods and impose a blackout during children’s programming.
The Australian government has prioritized this issue following comments from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in May 2023, who advocated for a ban on betting ads during sporting events, labeling it as essential for family welfare.
While the proposal has gained traction, industry stakeholders, including sports organizations and broadcasters, are pushing for less stringent measures. They are advocating for a shorter ban—only half an hour before and after games—and an increase in the number of permissible ads per hour.
Michelle Rowland, Minister of Communications of Australia
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland stated that the government aims to foster excitement about sporting events rather than gambling odds. She highlighted the need to protect children and mitigate the overwhelming presence of gambling ads, particularly affecting young men aged 18 to 35.
Rowland noted that the government is committed to a comprehensive approach and is currently consulting various stakeholders, including harm reduction advocates, to shape the final proposal.
She also emphasized the importance of addressing the growing reliance on online wagering while ensuring that any response is thorough and forward-looking.
Hundreds of shareholders of Wynn Resorts Ltd. are set to share a $70 million settlement from a class-action lawsuit related to allegations that the company failed to disclose sexual misconduct claims against former CEO Steve Wynn.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the lawsuit, initiated by shareholders who assert that their stock value plummeted following these allegations, claims that Wynn executives did not act upon the misconduct reports once they became aware.
The settlement, announced earlier this month, is now pending preliminary approval from the U.S. District Court in Nevada, following a motion filed by New York-based law firm Pomerantz LLP.
The lawsuit was brought by shareholders John and JoAnn Ferris and Jeffrey Larsen against the company, Steve Wynn, four former executives, and nine former board members. Notably, all current executives named in the suit have been dismissed, and Steve Wynn is no longer with the company.
While the settlement amount is confirmed, details on individual payouts for shareholders remain uncertain. A representative from Pomerantz LLP stated that each shareholder filing a valid claim will receive a pro rata share of the net settlement fund, although it’s unclear how much that will amount to after legal fees and costs are deducted.
Wynn Resorts expressed satisfaction with the resolution, stating that the settlement addresses the final legal issues involving Steve Wynn, who resigned in 2018 amid the allegations. The company noted that most of the settlement will be covered by insurance, with Wynn Resorts contributing $9.4 million.
The underlying case highlights alleged misleading statements made by Wynn Resorts between March 2016 and February 2018, coinciding with media revelations about Wynn’s misconduct.
Thailand’s draft bill for entertainment complexes is set to progress but with potential revisions to details such as location and operational requirements.
While the overall framework of the bill is expected to move forward, the new government may revise certain details, such as the location of the complexes or operational requirements, local media The Nation reported, citing a source from the Thai Finance Ministry.
Thailand’s draft bill for entertainment complexes is anticipated to be introduced next year, following revisions based on feedback from public hearings held between August 2nd and 18th.
The draft specifies that each entertainment complex will include at least four entertainment businesses, plus a casino. These complexes must be located in designated areas and operated by companies registered in Thailand, with a minimum paid-up capital of THB10 billion ($304 million).
Overall, Thailand’s gaming industry is projected to attract over THB 100 billion ($3.04 billion) in investments.
The proposal also mandates that patrons must be at least 20 years old, and Thai nationals will be required to obtain a license to verify eligibility, with an initial fee of THB5,000 ($152) and an annual renewal fee of THB1,000 ($30). Additionally, the source emphasized the need for clear regulations to prevent gambling addiction at the casinos.
Public hearings suggest that many Thais support the plan, although critics emphasize potential social impacts. Among the key policies of the new administration, the establishment of entertainment complexes has drawn the most criticism due to concerns about significant social issues.
Despite this backlash, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat noted that public hearings revealed a generally positive response toward the draft bill. He stated that the draft is ready for improvement based on public feedback before being submitted to the Cabinet, Council of State, and House of Representatives for review.
The minister anticipates that the bill will be introduced next year, as the approval process will take time. Further adjustments will be made in response to comments from both the House of Representatives and the Senate to minimize potential negative impacts on Thai citizens.
Regarding investment and operations, the minister acknowledged uncertainty about how many entertainment complexes will receive funding or who will manage them. Neither the House committee nor the Finance Ministry has the authority to determine which provinces or entities are suited to establish such complexes, and he stressed that the process should be conducted with full transparency.
Mixed reactions from industry leaders
Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the Thai Restaurant Association, expressed concerns over the draft bill, arguing that entertainment complexes could harm the country by exacerbating social inequality and promoting gambling, which may negatively impact families and the economy.
She believes the bill would disproportionately benefit a small group of operators while increasing gambling addiction, debt, and crime among the wider population. Thaniwan also raised concerns about Thailand’s weak law enforcement and suggested that legalizing gambling could deter quality tourists by damaging the country’s image.
Conversely, Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, acknowledged the potential economic and tourism benefits of entertainment complexes but emphasized the need for clear and enforceable regulations. He suggested that these venues be located in secondary cities rather than popular tourist destinations like Bangkok or Phuket to spread prosperity.
Sanga also highlighted the importance of determining whether Thai nationals should be allowed entry and warned that legalizing casinos could lead to conflicts between economic gains and social consequences, as seen in other countries.
Around 23 million tourists visited Macau in the first eight months of this year, according to Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO).
This marks a 30 percent increase from the same period last year, bringing visitor numbers to 84 percent of the levels seen from January to August in 2019.
According to the Macau News Agency (MNA), Fernandes projected that total visitor arrivals could reach 34 million by the end of 2024, surpassing the initial target of 33 million set by Macau’s tourism authorities and exceeding 2023 figures by approximately 6 million.
For the upcoming October Golden Week holiday, Fernandes previously anticipated a significant increase in tourist numbers during this period.
Although the MGTO has not yet provided specific forecasts, she is optimistic that daily arrivals could reach around 100,000 during this time, thanks to the combined appeal of the holiday and the International Fireworks Display.
Some industry experts told local media that they expect more than 130,000 visitor arrivals daily during the October Golden Week, which runs from October 1st to 7th.
Two suspects linked to a significant online gambling case involving RMB285 million ($40.4 million) have returned to China after evading capture for five years.
According to the Hubei Provincial Public Security Department’s Cybersecurity Protection Team, the suspects, who fled to the Philippines, voluntarily surrendered on September 9th this year.
The investigation dates back to December 2018 when police in Xianning, Hubei Province, stumbled upon an illegal online gambling studio operating within a residential area. Initial inquiries revealed that this studio acted as a domestic agent for an overseas gambling platform, attracting numerous gamblers through online promotions and earning hefty commissions from their illegal activities.
The total amount involved in the case reached an astonishing RMB285 million ($40.4 million). Since 2016, the criminal group had exploited its influence in the online gambling community to recruit new gamblers and refer them to foreign platforms for referral fees. They also managed domestic financial transactions for the platform under various guises, including “commissions” and “insurance funds,” profiting from illegal means that affected thousands of victims across more than 20 provinces in China.
In January 2019, Xianning police launched a major operation, arresting multiple suspects, including seven studio members, and dismantling an upstream criminal organization, which led to the apprehension of four individuals at the scene. However, the main suspects, Wang and Xie, managed to escape abroad.
This year, the Xianning Cyber Police conducted a thorough review of the fugitives’ information and tracked them to their location overseas. After engaging in policy education and persuasion, both Wang and Xie decided to return to China and surrender.
Currently, all primary suspects in this large-scale online gambling case are in custody, and the case has entered the subsequent trial phase.
The Board of Directors of Universal Entertainment Corp, the parent company of Okada Manila, has announced the appointment of Tomohiro Okada as its new Representative Director and President.
The decision, effective September 19th, 2024 follows Mr. Okada’s election as Director, which was approved at the Extraordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting held on the same day.
Following the resignation of Kazuo Okada as a director in 2017, the company has focused on improving its compliance management and governance framework under the leadership of former President and CEO Jun Fujimoto.
However, Fujimoto resigned from his position as Representative Director on April 26th, of this year after being found to have breached his fiduciary duty in a 2012 transaction, leading Universal to appoint Hajime Tokuda as the new Representative Director and President.
In conjunction with this management restructuring, Hajime Tokuda and Takako Okada will transition from their roles as Representative Directors to new titles.
The company’s management structure will include Tomohiro Okada as Representative Director and President, overseeing overall management, with Hajime Tokuda serving as Director and Vice President, focusing on corporate planning and foreign business.
According to Universal’s announcements, Okada, has worked within the company since joining in April 1991.
Over the years, he has held various significant positions, including serving as Director in June 1995, General Manager of the Management Planning Office in August 1995, and Director in charge of the Development Division in August 1997.
He also held the role of General Manager of the Administrative Division in June 1999 and managed Investor Relations and Public Relations until June 2002.
After a brief tenure at Aruze USA, Inc. in 2007, he returned to the company as a Director in June 2008 before resigning in June 2015. Most recently, he has served as a Director of Okada Holdings Limited since August 2024.
Following the board meeting, Kenshi Asano will also take on the role of Managing Director, overseeing the Administration Department, while Takako Okada will continue as Director, managing the Okada Museum and foreign business operations. Additionally, Masayoshi Miyanaga and Hiroshi Miyauchi will serve as outside Directors.
This leadership transition marks a significant step in the company’s evolution as it aims to strengthen its management team and strategic direction.
The group also recently announced the formation of a Governance Committee to assess its management compliance practices.
MGM Resorts has officially submitted its proposal to the UAE government to operate a casino, CEO Bill Hornbuckle announced during the Skift Global Forum 2024.
Although the Las Vegas-based company currently lacks operational hotels in the region, it is the first to publicly confirm its application for a legal casino license.
“Yes, we have applied. We’ve done it in Abu Dhabi,” Hornbuckle stated during the Skift Global Forum 2024, expressing optimism about securing the license. The MGM CEO explained that the approval process involves the federal government in Abu Dhabi, with each emirate having the authority to grant or deny casino operations.
MGM is currently developing a non-gaming resort in Dubai, the UAE’s largest city, with three hotel towers totaling 1,500 rooms branded under the Aria, MGM Grand and Bellagio names.
Hornbuckle added he was hopeful that more clarity on the licensing process will emerge this year, following the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) opening proposals for gaming licenses in July. The licensing process includes a preliminary intake form and screening, after which successful applicants may apply for a casino license.
Interestingly, the GCGRA is chaired by Jim Murren, Hornbuckle’s former boss at MGM, although Murren is not part of the selection committee for gaming licenses.
While MGM has applied for a casino license, the company currently has no active projects in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital. Previously, MGM announced plans for a non-gaming project in the emirate in 2006, which did not materialize. The company does have a non-gaming development underway in Dubai.
Hornbuckle emphasized that MGM will not venture into Abu Dhabi without a casino license, stating, “That’s the business MGM is in.”
Competition from Wynn Resorts
MGM faces competition from Wynn Resorts, which is further ahead in establishing a presence in the UAE with the Wynn Al Marjan Island project.
Wynn is set to open a $3.9 billion resort in Ras Al Khaimah, another emirate, and has plans for a casino. While Wynn has not officially confirmed its application for a gaming license, a spokesperson indicated that the company is reviewing the necessary guidelines.
Rendering of Wynn Al Marjan Island – aerial viewRendering of Wynn Al Marjan Island – Interior viewRendering of Wynn Al Marjan – view from the beach
Wynn’s CEO Craig Billings, has already expressed his belief that the UAE represents the “most exciting new market for our industry in decades”.
Hornbuckle acknowledged the cultural barriers to expanding gaming in the UAE but expressed confidence that progress is being made. “There’s going to be something happening in Abu Dhabi; it’ll take some time to build. Wynn is already out of the ground,” he noted.
Despite the summer season, which traditionally brings an influx of tourists to Macau, the city’s economic situation remains troubling. Both the retail and restaurant sectors have reported significant declines in sales, reflecting ongoing challenges in consumer spending.
According to the latest data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), sales of interviewed retailers slipped by 26.4 percent year-on-year in July 2024. This sharp decline is particularly concerning during a period typically marked by heightened tourism activity.
Among the hardest hit were Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery Retailers, which experienced a drastic 39.1 percent drop in sales, followed by Leather Goods Retailers, whose sales decreased by 32.1 percent.
As previously reported, Macau’s visitor arrivals increased by 9.5 percent year-on-year, reaching over 3 million in July 2024. This figure represents 85.6 percent of the level recorded in July 2019, signaling a strong recovery in tourist numbers.
However, Macau’s gaming operators have acknowledged ongoing macroeconomic challenges, including a consumption slowdown impacting tenant sales in their shopping malls. These challenges are largely attributed to the softness of China’s economy.
In addition to the retail sector’s struggles, the restaurant industry also experienced a downturn. Receipts of interviewed restaurants and similar establishments fell by 13.3 percent in July compared to the same period in 2023.
On a more positive note, there were some signs of improvement on a month-over-month basis. In July 2024, receipts of the interviewed restaurants and similar establishments increased by 7.4 percent compared to June.
MGM announced the return of its annual signature event, Oktoberfest Macau at MGM 2024, from October 25 to November 5, with the support of the Macao Government Tourism Office.
Once again, the 12-day authentic German bierfest will capture the charm of Macau as a UNESCO-designated “Creative City of Gastronomy”. The event welcomes residents and tourists from around the world, highlighting the synergy of tourism, entertainment, gastronomy and culture, to empower the city’s “Tourism+” initiative.
Traditional German gourmet
The Oktoberfest Macau has welcomed over 180,000 guests in the past 13 years. This year, the 14thOktoberfest Macau at MGM will continue to capture the essence of Bavarian festivities and adheres to the classic atmosphere of the German Oktoberfest. Staying in the blue-and-white Bavarian patterned beer tent and sitting by traditional long wooden tables, our guests can enjoy genuine German Oktoberfest brew Löwenbräu, alongside a variety of non-alcoholic options, traditional German food and beverage, carnival booth games, and cheer with our waitresses in traditional dirndl costumes.
Högl Fun BandOktoberfest Macau at MGM
German Oktoberfest beer, Löwenbräu
What’s more, the crowd’s favorite Högl Fun Band will once again fly over from Munich to hype up the nights with dynamic live performances, and essentially bringing back the staple theme song of Oktoberfest Macau at MGM, “Nei Hou, Macau!”. With Bavarian festivities in full bloom, guests can carouse and immerse into the most authentic German Oktoberfest, a cultural extravaganza offering great food, beer and entertainment.
Oktoberfest Macau at MGM2024 will take place between October 25 to November 5, from 6pm to 12am daily at the 1/F Roof Terrace of MGM COTAI. Admission tickets and table reservations will be available for sale at both MGM properties starting from September 25 (Wednesday). The number of tickets and seats are limited!
The feedback from Thailand’s Parliament over the new proposed integrated resort industry in the country demonstrates that the nation’s politicians still lack understanding regarding the scale, method, impact and differences of other gaming jurisdictions compared to what Thailand is proposing. Gaming expert Daniel Cheng in particular notes that oftentimes the nation benchmarks its potential success to that of Macau, despite fundamental differences and ongoing changes.
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.
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.
