Your Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Omicron is a cause for concern, but not panic

November 30, 2021

Good morning. A new variant of SARS-CoV-2, known as Omicron, has been dominating global headlines lately. Whilst the World Health Organization has deemed the overall risk of the new variant “very high,” not much is yet known about the new variant, particularly its transmissibility and impact on health. Our infographic today looks at what we know, and don’t yet know about the new variant.

What you need to know

Suncity Group’s Alvin Chau was transferred to a local jail pending trial, with his arrest continuing to reverberate throughout the industry, sending shares in Macau’s casino operators plunging.
Suncity Group Holdings said Alvin Chau intends to resign from his executive positions with the group and said his arrest may hit group revenue.
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment said it has raised $1.55 billion in financing for its South Korean integrated resort, which it now expects to open in 2023.
The Chinese Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SSP) has pledged to continue strengthening its fight against illegal cross-border gambling, which still runs rampant in mainland China.

On the radar

Metro Manila to retain alert level 2, suspends border reopening plans
Century Int. confirmed a widened interim loss, but says it’s a going concern
Summit Ascent has denied allegations of luring Chinese to gamble at Tigre de Cristal.

What the papers say

Brisbane bridge project is not likely affected by Star Entertainment probes.
Interpol has made 1,000 arrests relating to cyber-enabled financial crime.

AGB Intelligence

BY THE NUMB3RS

Omicron is a cause for concern, but not panic

A new variant of SARS-CoV-2, known as B.1.1.529 or Omicron, started to make global headlines over the weekend, with many fearing it could trigger another wave of infection and lockdowns akin to the highly contagious Delta strain earlier this year. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday released a statement classifying Omicron as a “Variant of Concern” (VOC), but not a lot is yet known about the new strain and particularly how effective current Covid-19 vaccines are against it. Also unclear is how much more transmissible or deadly the variant is compared to the Delta strain.