Good Morning. Why own an empire when you could lease one? Genting is again making money moves through its sale and leaseback plan for its New York property, helping to cut away unneeded debt and expenditure by offloading its non-gaming assets, a smart move according to analysts. Meanwhile, in Macau August is looking up, with Citigroup predicting a 10 percent GGR increase yearly, despite the crappy weather. And in the Philippines, politicians push for even more restrictions on online gambling access, now going after messaging and e-commerce apps.
What you need to know
- Empire Resorts’ $525M sale and leaseback plan could cut debt, boost efficiency, and add 24% to Genting Malaysia’s FY26 earnings: Maybank.
- Macau’s August 2025 gaming revenue projected at $2.7B by Citigroup, up 10% year-on-year, despite bad weather.
- Philippine senators push for regulators to block gambling in messaging and e-commerce apps in bid to rein-in the sector.
On the radar
- Sands China’s dividend hike hinges on $2.7B EBITDA target.
- LET Group and Summit Ascent being delisted from the HKEX.
- Sun Group officially selected as Van Don $2B casino developer.
- HKJC appoints new Chief Transformation Officer.
- India pushes 40% ‘sin’ tax on gambling.
AGB Intelligence
GENTING
Sale and leaseback plan to cut debt, boost efficiency
Genting Malaysia has been making plenty of strategic moves recently. The most recent, the $525 million sale and leaseback plan for its Empire Resorts property, near New York, aims to reduce its debt load, while also boosting the parent company’s financial performance. Analysts note that the non-gaming asset sale and restructuring can help it cut down on lease payments and interest expenses, with a possible 24 percent boost in earnings for FY26.
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.
Industry Updates
- Live88 cements foothold with Winz.io partnership.
- Kambi Group plc signs partnership with Turning Stone Enterprises.
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