PNP: Rise of kidnappings due to influx of Chinese POGO workers, casino players Aaron Recuenco, The Manila Bulletin · December 10, 2019 at 6:56 pm The number of kidnapping cases in the country has ballooned to at least 75 cases in the past three years, with the police attributing the sharp increase to casino and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO)-related abductions involving Chinese victims and kidnappers. The Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said recently that this year alone, 42 cases of casino and POGO-related kidnappings were recorded involving 49 victims. AKG spokesman Lt. Col. Jowel Saliba said that from January to November this year, they arrested 88 suspects, rescued 29 victims, and solved 27 cases.
Donaco appoints two directors to resume trading after boardroom shuffle CDC Gaming Asia · December 10, 2019 at 6:51 am International casino operator Donaco International resumed trading on the Australian Securities Exchange after appointing two non-executive board members Monday. Chartered accountants Mel Ashton, who will take role of Chairman, and Simon Vertullo join the beleaguered company’s board effective immediately. Incoming Chairman Ashton stated “The coard of Donaco is focused on supporting the management team, transitioning to a new chief executive over the coming six months and on resolving distractions that have hampered the company’s performance in recent times.” In addition, he claimed that “the directors are aligned in our focus on stabilising the company and delivering for shareholders.” Donaco operates Star Vegas in Cambodia and Aristo International in Vietnam. The company suspended trading December 2 after falling out of compliance with Australia’s Corporations Act 2001 last week. After two directors lost elections and another was forced off by shareholders, Donaco no longer had the two required Australian residents on its… [continue reading]
Wynn Macau Ltd reveals improved October revenues as US$130 million peninsula property renovation nears completion Ben Blaschke, Inside Asian Gaming · December 10, 2019 at 6:33 am Wynn Macau Ltd has indicated an expected year-on-year increase in revenues for the month of October 2019 of between 4.5% to 6.6%, with Adjusted EBITDA rising by as much as 22.2% – reversing a challenging third quarter in which operating revenues fell 22.7%. The business update formed part of an overnight filing in which Wynn Macau announced a proposed offering of senior notes in order to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under the Wynn Macau Credit Facilities and to raise funds for other corporate purposes. The aggregate principal amount, terms and conditions of the notes have not yet been determined.
Macau Light Rapid Transit to start public services today, connecting Cotai IRs Inside Asian Gaming · December 10, 2019 at 5:36 am More than 10 years after it was first announced, the long-awaited Macau Light Rapid Transit (MLRT) system will finally begin operations today. Macao Light Rapid Transit Corporation, Limited (MLM) – the company handed a 10-year concession contract for the operation, exploration and maintenance of MLRT in September – announced last week that it would commence public services from this afternoon with the first passenger train scheduled to depart from Taipa Ferry Terminal Station at 3.33pm. All rides will be free until 31 December 2019.
Uzbekistan to allow sports betting from 2021 Xinhuanet · December 9, 2019 at 11:45 pm Uzbekistan will permit bookmaker activity from 2021 to attract additional funds to further develop sports, especially football, a presidential decree published Friday said. The decree, signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, also sets out a range of goals to develop football, including making it attractive both for fans and investors, opening sports schools for children, and introducing Video Assistant Referee in national league games.
FSB names Andrew Bowen as new finance chief iGaming Business · December 9, 2019 at 11:41 pm White label and gaming platform provider FSB Technology has announced the appointment of Andrew Bowen, formerly of Ladbrokes and Scientific Games, as its new chief financial officer. Bowen joins FSG after a spell as consultant CFO at human performance business EDGE10 Group, prior to which he served as finance chief for mobile gaming specialist InTouch Games. Earlier in his career, he was finance director at TelcoSwitch, Environmental Fuel Systems and gambling crowdfunding platform GamCrowd, and also held the same role for Ladbrokes’ igaming division.
France confirms €1.89bn haul from FDJ privatisation iGaming Business · December 9, 2019 at 11:40 pm France’s Agence des participations de l’État (APE) has confirmed that the initial public offering of share in lottery and gaming giant La Française des Jeux (FDJ) has raised €1.89bn for state coffers. Confirmation of the final sum raised through the share sale was only confirmed after APE completed the full exercise of the over-allotment option, which saw an additional 11,350,028 shares told for total proceeds of €225.9m. This means that 99,320,000 shares in the business were sold through the IPO, representing 52% of FDJ’s issued share capital, for proceeds of €1.89bn.
Lawrence Ho tipping Yokohama IR cost of “at least US$10 billion” Inside Asian Gaming · December 9, 2019 at 7:04 am Melco Resorts & Entertainment Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho is the latest to indicate that the cost of developing a metropolitan integrated resort in Japan is likely to push beyond US$10 billion. In an interview with Bloomberg over the weekend discussing his Japan ambitions, Ho explained the reasons behind his company’s decision to focus its efforts on Yokohama but noted that building in a major Japanese city would also come with increasing costs. “We’ve spent the most of our time and resources in the last couple of years in Yokohama which is conveniently situated 30 minutes from Tokyo and is very close to Hanada airport,” Ho said.
Marathonbet nets Man City upgrade becoming training kit sponsor Ted Menmuir, SBC News · December 9, 2019 at 6:35 am Closing 2019, Marathonbet announces its second major football partnership as the Panserve Ltd online sportsbook subsidiary expands its sponsorship agreement with Premier League champions Manchester City. Upgrading partnership terms, Marathonbet will serve as ‘training kit partner’ of ‘The Citizens’, with the European sportsbook brand appearing on the training shirts for both Manchester City senior men and womens teams. Expanding its English football profile Marathonbet has served as ‘Global Betting Partner’ of Manchester City since June 2018. Manchester City unveiled its new training kit, at a press event attended by manager Pep Guardiola and City players Sergio Agüero, Bernardo Silva, Gemma Bonner and Megan Campbell.
Leisure Resorts abandons plan to build $550-m Boracay casino Jenniffer B. Austria, Manila Standard · December 8, 2019 at 8:24 pm Leisure Resorts & World Corp. will no longer pursue a plan to build a $550-million world-class integrated resort and casino in Boracay Island in partnership with Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. LRWC acting chairman Eusebio Tanco said in a recent interview the company would keep the property in Boracay for land banking. “I’m keeping that piece of land and just hold on to it. I will just land bank it,” Tanco said. He added talks with GEG were not proceeding. GEG in December 2017 said was looking at the possibility of developing a world class beach resort and casino in Boracay island with LRWC.
