Asia Pioneer Entertainment said Wednesday it returned to profit in the first half of 2025, as demand for electronic gaming equipment in Macau and Asia lifted revenues despite higher costs and weaker contributions from some services.
The Hong Kong-listed gaming supplier posted a net profit of HK$24,959 ($3,209) for the six months to June 30th, compared with a loss of HK$0.6 million ($77,000) a year earlier, according to its unaudited interim results.
Group revenue climbed 15.7 percent to HK$23 million ($2.96 million), up from HK$19.9 million ($2.56 million) in the same period of 2024, supported by a 39.6 percent surge in technical sales and distribution of gaming machines to HK$19.3 million ($2.48 million).
The company said this reflected steady orders from Macau’s six casino concessionaires, as well as regional demand from land-based casinos in Asia.
Gross profit increased to HK$10.9 million ($1.40 million) from HK$9.4 million ($1.21 million), with margins little changed at 47.5 percent. Operating expenses rose 6.8 percent to HK$11 million ($1.41 million), driven by higher staff and travel costs, while staff numbers edged up to 39 from 38.
Other revenue streams were less robust. Consultancy and technical services fell 45.2 percent to HK$2.5 million ($322,000), repair services contracted 54.8 percent to HK$0.2 million ($26,000), and product sales through smart vending machines slipped 27.2 percent to HK$0.7 million ($91,000).
Leasing of vending machines, however, jumped nearly fourfold to HK$0.3 million ($41,000), showing signs of traction in the business line.
The group, which has supplied gaming machines in Macau since 2005, said it expects momentum to continue into the second half of 2025 as casinos expand orders for new equipment.
‘We believe this resurging growth will continue in the second half of 2025 and beyond as casinos strengthen their financial positions’, the company headed by Herman Ng noted. ‘We are working with suppliers to introduce new products and technologies to meet the growing demands of the mass gaming market.’
Asia Pioneer said it remained debt-free as of June 30th, with net current assets of HK$16.8 million ($2.16 million) compared with HK$16.2 million ($2.08 million) at the end of 2024.
The group added that it was seeking to broaden its portfolio by developing new casino-related products, both for gaming operations and marketing.
