China-backed CNMI casinos a threat to US military operations The Fiji Times · June 19, 2018 at 9:52 pm The US military views Chinese-backed casinos in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) as a threat to its operations in the region, according to a new government report. Last week, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) released a report titled China’s Engagement in the Pacific Islands: Implications for the United States that expressed concern over … [Read more...]
Universal group rejig to bar Okada from its casino biz GGRAsia · June 19, 2018 at 9:49 pm Gaming conglomerate Universal Entertainment Corp is moving with what it calls “an intra-group organisational realignment” in order to prevent regulatory action against its casino-related businesses for potential ties to people deemed “unsuitable”. In a filing on Monday, the Japan-based group recalled it was preparing to enter the casino equipment manufacturing segment – namely including the … [Read more...]
Mixed views on Macau gambling ban for casino staff GGRAsia · June 19, 2018 at 9:40 pm Two Macau gaming labour groups have expressed concerns to GGRAsia regarding the likely effectiveness of a proposed bill to ban the staff of the city’s casinos from all local gaming floors outside work hours so as to curb problem gambling among them. The doubts came from Power of the Macao Gaming Association and Professional for Gaming of New Macau. The latest version of the bill – which amounts … [Read more...]
Paradise Entertainment buys 33,000 square feet of Macau warehouse space Inside Asian Gaming · June 19, 2018 at 9:35 pm Macau-based casino operator and electronic gaming machine manufacturer Paradise Entertainment Limited has entered into an agreement to purchase six units of warehouse space on the Macau Peninsula for a total consideration of HK$128.5 million. In a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the company said it currently leases warehouse space for the storage of its electronic gaming machines, … [Read more...]
Japan’s lower house passes bills on casinos and smoking controls The Japan Times · June 19, 2018 at 7:41 am The Lower House on Tuesday passed a bill that will allow casinos to open in Japan, despite concerns over gambling addiction and casino-related antisocial behavior. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government has sought to introduce casinos within “integrated resorts” that include hotels, conference rooms and event facilities, claiming that the new casinos will attract more overseas visitors and spur … [Read more...]
Vietnam operators say no to World Cup betting Inside Asian Gaming · June 19, 2018 at 12:01 am Vietnam might have passed a bill last week allowing locals to bet on international football but the new law, which comes into affect next year, arrives too late for the current World Cup in Russia amid revelations that not a single betting agent or operator applied for a license under a sports betting pilot program. The Vietnamese government announced last year that it would launch the program … [Read more...]
Amlo, banks team up in Thai anti-gambling effort King-Oua Laohong, Bangkok Post · June 18, 2018 at 9:59 pm The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) is working with banks to closely monitor suspicious transactions in a move to impound assets of all people involved in online football gambling during the World Cup. The measure aims to bolster a police crackdown on gambling after officers admitted they have limited power to act against illegal websites from abroad. Up to 36 banks and financial … [Read more...]
Phu Quoc proposed for locals’ gambling trial: report GGRAsia · June 18, 2018 at 9:48 pm A plan permitting Vietnamese into a casino in the southern province of Kien Giang is a step closer after the Ministry of Planning and Investment submitted paperwork to Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. The VietNamNet website reports that the casino on the island of Phu Quoc aims to trial the plan for three years. The government lifted a ban on Vietnamese gambling in casinos in March … [Read more...]
Genting could invest €140m in integrated casino resort in Andorra G3 Newswire · June 18, 2018 at 9:47 pm Genting Casinos UK plans to invest €140m in the construction of an integrated casino-resort in Andorra, which would make it the largest foreign investment in the history of the Principality. Genting Casinos UK is one of nine operators that have entered the international competition for the construction of the first and only casino in Andorra, whose bidding process is in the final phase and … [Read more...]
Melco hoping to commence Studio City Phase 2 construction in 3Q18 Inside Asian Gaming · June 18, 2018 at 9:46 pm Melco Resorts Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho says he wants the company to commence construction of Phase 2 of Macau integrated resort Studio City within the third quarter this year in order to meet its July 2021 deadline. The tightening schedule follows a three-year extension granted by the Macau government in February for completion of Phase 2 from 24 July 2018 to 24 July 2021. Addressing … [Read more...]