Good morning. Never too soon, never too late. Although Chinese New Year in Macau feels far behind, it’s crucial for those tallying up the sheets to determine whether potential January revenue carried over into the following month. For analysts, the late-term surge in CNY spending was a positive sign, holding good omens for the future, at least in Macau. Meanwhile, Thailand is taking massive steps forward, with the Council of State concluding its review of the proposed IR legislation – pushing it to the next phase. And in Sri Lanka, changes are afoot, as the new budget proposal aims to increase both casino entry fees and taxes.
What you need to know
- Extended CNY visitation in Macau boosts February GGR, with VIP recovery helping stabilize performance: Bank of America.
- Thai Council of State concludes review of the Entertainment Complex bill, online public hearing will continue until March 1st.
- New budget allocation for Sri Lanka aims to increase casino entry levies and taxes, amongst a push to boost revenue.
On the radar
- Light & Wonder inks billion-dollar deal with Grover Charitable Gaming.
- POGO raid in Pasay hotel results in arrest of 6 Korean nationals, 15 Filipinos.
- Gambling addiction cases in Macau reached record high in 2024.
- DigiPlus clarifies $52M capex allocation, excluding new investments.
- Thailand’s economy set to accelerate in 2025 with tourism recovery.
- Australia’s foreign affairs minister warns of image being used for crypto scams.
AGB Intelligence
MACAU
Prolonged CNY boosts February GGR
January’s GGR results failed to impress in Macau, but that might just be due to players understanding how saturated the city can become over the Chinese New Year holiday. This time, player participation tended to peak in the later days of the holiday, encouraging pundits who were wary of the lackluster January results. But regional concerns still top the charts, as China’s President has warned Thailand about its casino aspirations.
Industry Updates
- IGT secures an impressive ESG Score of 4.3/5 from FTSE Russell.
- SOFTSWISS Casino Platform celebrates 12 years of innovation and growth.
- BETBY showcases revamped Bet Builder version at SBC Summit Rio 2025.
Corporate Spotlight
1xBet’s 2024 Milestones: key achievements & heights of success
In 2024, 1xBet achieved significant breakthroughs and successes, solidifying its position in the iGaming industry. The brand secured major partnership deals, received prestigious awards, and showcased its innovations at the world’s leading forums.
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AGBrief Editorial
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