Casino operators in Vietnam, notably The Grand Ho Tram and Corona Casino, have strongly opposed a government proposal to significantly raise entry fees for local players—a move that would see monthly passes increase from VND 25 million (about US$950) to VND 50 million (around US$1,900) and one-day tickets rise by roughly 2.5 times to VND 2.5 million (about US$95). This draft regulation, put forward by the Ministry of Finance, is part of broader revisions to the country’s casino framework that aim to simplify financial-capacity requirements while steering players toward economic thresholds seen as safer for gambling participation.
Japanese pop superstar **Ayumi Hamasaki’s highly anticipated concert in Macau, scheduled for 10 January 2026 at The Venetian Arena has been officially cancelled by Sands China, the casino operator’s ticketing arm. The announcement on 9 December 2025 by Cotai Ticketing confirmed the show would no longer go ahead, with all tickets purchased through that platform set to be automatically refunded; fans who bought via other ticketing services like Macau Ticketing or Damai must seek refunds through those channels. No formal reason was given by Sands China in the cancellation notice, but the move reflects growing geopolitical tensions affecting cultural events in the region.
Macau’s government has collected just over MOP 86.74 billion (approximately US$10.82 billion) in gaming tax revenue from January through November 2025, marking a 7 percent year-on-year increase compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the Financial Services Bureau. This robust intake highlights the continued strength of Macau’s casino sector as it remains central to the city’s fiscal health.
Genting Singapore, the operator behind Singapore’s iconic Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) integrated resort, is considering debt financing to support the massive remainder of its SG$6.8 billion (US$5.3 billion) RWS 2.0 expansion plan, according to analysts from Morgan Stanley. The investment bank’s recent note highlighted that the company still needs roughly SG$5 billion for Phase 2 of the project, making borrowing a potentially attractive option in the current low-interest rate environment. This financing consideration comes as Genting completes earlier segments of the development and plans further rollout of major attractions.
Hann Casino Resort, an integrated resort located in the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, Philippines, is set to launch the first floor of its major casino expansion this Friday. The new addition, named The Canyon, represents the first phase of a larger growth project designed to significantly increase gaming capacity and guest amenities at the resort.
Author: Janice Chew • Sunday, 14/12/2025
