The Legislative Assembly of Macau has unanimously approved fresh gaming credit legislation set to take effect on August 1st of this year.

The strategic and operational implications in light of the new gaming law will be felt much sooner, despite Macau’s economic diversification plan requiring some time to take shape, and the regulatory and industry-wide changes will gradually be compounded into substantial differences over the next decade and beyond, says a research report.

The new law set to regulate junkets in Macau will place heavy accountability on both junkets and concessionaires, with both deposits and earnings to all be strictly documented.

The runway is finally clear for Crown Resorts to open up its Sydney gaming rooms after receiving in-principle approval from the NSW regulator yesterday.

Singapore is heading towards cashless play at casinos, with new amendments to its Casino Control Act passed. While the introduction of virtual credits is allowed, crypto has been ruled out due to money laundering risks. The bill also tweaks regulatory oversight, and increases responsibility for casino operators and those associated, aiming to future-proof the industry. Meanwhile, in Macau analysts are seeing a slight dip in GGR after the strong summer period, with mixed expectations for the October Golden Week holiday.

If it's not broken, don't fix it. However, change is still likely to be afoot in Macau when the new Chief Executive comes into office. A top economist says that while the overall economic orientation is unlikely to change, the incoming official will face serious challenges in attempting the much-pledged 'diversification' of the economy away from gaming. Meanwhile, the city prepares for Golden Week, with expectations of over 100,000 daily visitors, helped along by events.

The new (likely) top leader of the world’s highest-grossing gaming jurisdiction brings many questions with him. But, despite the trepidation, a top economist notes that Macau’s “general economic orientations are unlikely to change”.

Golden Week is fast approaching, bringing with it a massive wave of visitation to Macau. Hotel bookings are already going strong, with up to 80 percent of rooms already booked for the holiday period. Analysts are reassuring that Macau's operators are still stable, despite some recent headwinds. Meanwhile, the saga of Alice Guo is beginning to come to an end, following her arrest in Jakarta. She'll now need to face the music for her actions and flight, back in the Philippines.

A top senator in the Philippines is warning that the ban on offshore gaming operators (POGOs) will cause companies to 'rebrand', finding a loophole to continue operations. The worries are valid, particularly after a recent raid on a POGO hub in Cebu, which showcased how operators can fluidly shift to new locations and formats to continue illicit practices. Meanwhile, in Thailand, concerns have been raised about how legalized casinos could impact law enforcement, with an academic calling for reform before implementation.

The Indian gaming industry is waiting anxiously for the Supreme Court decision on the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which has hung over the sector like "an axe", a Goan finance and accounting consultant told AGB.