Good Morning. In an explosive start to the week, we’ve found out this morning that Star Entertainment Group CEO Matt Bekier will be stepping down from the board and the company after eight years in the executive role, following allegations of money laundering and criminal affiliation misconduct at the casino.
Meanwhile, Genting Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa says it is cautiously optimistic about the recovery of tourism this year and is planning spending of $400 million on its 2.0 expansion plan for the resort. The company has put sustainability at the heart of its development plans, reflecting a broader industry-wide realization that the tourism of tomorrow will need to be greener. We spoke with Loh Su Kim, vice president of sustainability at Resorts World Sentosa, to hear about the drive to improve the resort’s carbon footprint and the other initiatives it’s taking to become more sustainable.
What you need to know
- Matt Bekier on Monday announced his resignation from the Star Entertainment Group board effective immediately, following allegations of misconduct against the casino company last week.
- Star Entertainment compliance manager, Graeme Stevens, has admitted to knowingly having misled the New South Wales regulator in regard to Suncity’s operations at its Sydney casino.
On the radar
- Macau gaming tax collection dropped 9.4% in Jan/Feb.Four Golden Dragon Group satellite casinos likely up for closure.
- ACMA asks ISPs to block six more gambling sites.
- NSW govt to chase any gambling tax owing from Star debacle.
- China domestic tourism recovery to remain volatile in 2022.
What the papers say
- IPI says it doesn’t have the cash to pay its workers’ utility bills, warns of disconnection.
- Suncity Manila, Alvin Chau deemed unsuitable for Philippines license.
AGB Intelligence
DEEP DIVE
Genting puts sustainability at core of Resorts World Sentosa 2.0
Genting Singapore, which is embarking on the first major expansion of its resort since opening, is putting sustainable development at the heart of those plans, in part reflecting the demands of the post-Covid traveler. In 2019, both of Singapore’s integrated resorts committed to spending S$4.5 billion in expanding and upgrading their facilities and were granted more casino capacity as a result. The plans were disrupted due to Covid, though Genting Singapore said it has a sense of optimism that recovery is underway and is pushing ahead with spending of $400 million this year on its upgrades.
Supplier Specials
Jade SportsBet: Promoting responsible gaming
Jade SportsBet, the rising retail and remote sportsbook provider in the Philippines, has strengthened its compliance with PAGCOR’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming with the launch of self-regulatory tools on the JadeSportsBet.com website. As remote gaming gains popularity in the Philippines, people become more comfortable putting their money into play on their mobile devices. Jade SportsBet has gone the extra mile to ensure that customers are within their limits.
GLI: Helping clients seize opportunities
Opportunities abound in online gaming, sports betting, iLottery, and more, and Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) stands ready to help suppliers, regulators, and operators seize them. At ICE London this year, Vice President of Latin American and Caribbean Karen Sierra-Hughes will be speaking on the World Regulatory Briefing panel “Shared Experience: New markets” at ICE VOX, as well as two other LATAM-themed events to scope the potential of these emerging jurisdictions.
Industry Updates
- Abbiati Casino Equipment said it’s a leading supplier to Hann Casino Resort in the Philippines.
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