Good Morning. Abracadabra. Melco Resorts has opened its $1.2 billion City of Dreams IR in Sri Lanka, as it aims to position the country as a potential “India’s Macau”. The group has also reported strong results during the second quarter of this year, thanks to a better-than-expected Macau rebound. Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has stated that he will not rush into a decision on calls for a total ban on online gambling, as the presidential palace tries to assess the proposal’s potential impact.
What you need to know
- Melco debuts South Asia’s first IR in Colombo, positioning Sri Lanka as “India’s Macau” amid growing demand from India’s affluent class.
- Marcos government delays decision on online gambling ban, stressing the need to assess addiction causes and revenue implications.
- Melco’s 2Q25 results were marked by impressive performance in Macau, despite softness in other markets, say execs.
On the radar
- The Star’s Brisbane casino deal collapses, faces $26.4M reimbursement.
- Jeju Dream Tower’s July casino revenue soars 90.1% yearly.
- Macau gaming revenue expected to climb 10.5% in August: Deutsche Bank.
- Sporting bodies in New Zealand unite against Online Gambling Bill.
- Macau July GGR hit $2.7 billion, highest post-pandemic tally.
AGB Intelligence
SRI LANKA
Melco Resorts makes entry into South Asia with new Sri Lanka IR
Sri Lanka’s largest private investment, the $1.2 billion City of Dreams Sri Lanka, officially launched its casino on August 2nd, marking a significant collaboration between Hong Kong’s Melco Resorts & Entertainment and local firm John Keells Holdings. Casino mogul Lawrence Ho suggested that Sri Lanka could become “India’s Macau,” targeting affluent tourists from India, the Middle East, Russia, and China.The resort, featuring two hotels, extensive gaming facilities, and luxury amenities, aims to boost Sri Lanka’s economy post-crisis by creating thousands of jobs and enhancing the country’s tourism profile
Corporate Spotlight
Why Asia’s iGaming operators must rethink risk strategy | SEON
Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud. Asia Pacific’s iGaming market is expanding extremely fast, and a new wave of digital-savvy players is pushing demand through the roof. But the rise in adoption has outpaced regulation in many markets, and fraudsters have taken notice.
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INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS
