Good Morning. Whale hunting. That’s what Macau operators will need to be doing, particularly in the second half of the year, as a new report indicates that China’s most lucrative provinces have already been tapped. Looking at Cambodia, the nation is defending the deportation of scam-linked Chen Zhi to China as a sovereign decision after finding that the Prince Group founder obtained nationality improperly. And Thailand’s casino aspirations appear to have finally stopped twitching, with hopes for a Disneyland-style entertainment complex in the EEC, sans gaming.
What you need to know
- The second half of 2026 could see Macau’s VIP revenue slow as more affluent Chinese regions are already tapped: CreditSights.
- Cambodia’s foreign ministry is defending the deportation of Prince Group’s Chen Zhi to China as a sovereign decision.
- Thailand is studying the feasibility of a “Disneyland Thailand”-style mega-project in the EEC, as casino ambitions sink.
On the radar
- China cancels 49 flight routes to Japan amid escalating tensions.
- Wynn Al Marjan Island to launch residential community to house employees.
- Macau January GGR momentum outpaces pre-pandemic seasonality: UBS.
- The Star shifts financial advisor after Bally’s takeover: report.
- US authorities attempt to block release of former IPI Chair Lijie Cui.
AGB Intelligence
MACAU
Macau VIP boom to tail off in 2H26 as rich provinces already tapped
Macau benefitted from a significant VIP uptick in 2025, with a final flourish of activity at the end of the year. Analysts at CreditSights see this continuing into the early part of this year, with expectations for strong GGR comps based on both VIP and mass play. However, given that the main affluent Chinese provinces have already been tapped, expectations are for the sector’s contribution to taper in the latter half of the year.
Industry Updates
- BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming unite to bring luxury and style to iGaming.
- Galaxy Gaming and Hasbro launch MONOPOLY Blackjack Progressive across UK.
- ELA Games shines at ICE Barcelona 2026 with Wealth of the East debut.
INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS | EVENTS
