Good morning.

Greater Sydney is set to extend its stay-at-home lockdown by another week, amidst a continuing high number of covid-19 community cases by Australian standards. It’s expected to impact revenue of one of the world’s largest slot markets.
Meanwhile, the Royal Commission is said to have turned emotional after Crown’s new CEO took the stand, answering for the underpayment of tax that the company owed the government.
In Japan, incumbent Yokohama mayor Fumiko Hayashi has finally decided to enter the race on a pro-IR platform, reviving the prospect of an IR in the city.
Finally, our deep dive today looks to understand the gap between Asian and European football, as well as some rising sports in Asia that they should look to take a page out of.

First, the news

Regulated betting the final piece needed to elevate Asian football
Hayashi may enter Yokohama mayoral race, reviving IR prospects
Crown CEO: Only $8m owed in gaming taxes vs $272m claimed
Sydney lockdown expected to extend another week
Macau / HK border opening dependent on China
Macau reaches benchmark of 250k people vaccinated
Hong Kong to eye Singapore’s “return to normal” closely
Malaysian police bust RM2.8m gambling syndicate
Horse racing in India to have online-only audience in July
Caesars Palace undergoing multimillion-dollar renovation
Central Bank issues warning to companies dealing with crypto
Goa CM: No intention of allowing casinos to reopen during curfew

What you need to know

Sydney lockdown expected to extend another week

Australian health authorities have urged for the extension of Greater Sydney’s stay-at-home orders, after recording another 18 new cases of Covid-19 in the community on Tuesday. With daily infections hovering around 30 cases per day, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is said to have “no choice” but to extend the lockdown. Casinos and club venues are closed. The latest developments have also prompted organizers of the “Regulating the Game” conference to postpone the event by several months.

Your Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Regulated betting needed to elevate Asian football

Crown CEO: only $8m owed in gaming taxes vs $272m claimed

A week of turning-point testimony by top Crown Resorts officials to a Victorian gaming commission turned emotional on Tuesday as the company’s new CEO took the stand. Steve McCann, who joined the company in June, admitted that the company had likely underpaid the tax it owed the government. However, the CEO suggested the amount due was closer to AU$8 million, as compared to the AU$272 million the company allegedly avoided paying by handing it out through its pokies loyalty program.

Hayashi may enter Yokohama mayoral race, reviving IR prospects

Incumbent Yokohama Mayor Fumiko Hayashi has, according to the Mainichi Shinbun, decided to enter the race on a pro-IR policy platform, as her chances of victory are rising due to the clutter of anti-casino candidates that she would face. IR development is the biggest issue in the Yokohama mayoral race, and most voters are nearly certain to cast their votes for someone who opposes the project.

Insights

DEEP DIVE

Regulated betting the final piece needed to elevate Asian football

This year’s UEFA Euro 2020 has once again proven the power that European football has in drawing global eyes. In 2016, the football festival saw more than 2 billion people watching live on television and around 600 million for the finals alone. Amongst all the publicity surrounding Euro 2020, one question must be asked: Where are all the significant Asian football tournaments? The AFC Asian Cup, one of the oldest continental football tournaments in the world, is the largest tournament in Asia, but still pales in comparison to the major tournaments seen in Europe. In 2019, the tournament drew around 837 million fans, already a record achievement at the time.

Corporate Spotlight

Pragmatic Play Asia footprint set to expand

The well-known content provider in the iGaming industry— Pragmatic Play will continue to expand its footprint in emerging markets worldwide. The increasing acceptance of iGaming has resulted in a gradual shift in attitude toward regulation, with more and more markets taking an approach to deliver legislative roadmaps that will drive business in a period of hyper-growth.