Macau’s integrated resorts are steadily raising the bar in baccarat innovation, with Citigroup’s latest premium gaming analysis unveiling an industry pivot—one driven by the rise of “Big/Small 7” side bets and the growing adoption of smart-table technology.
Amid a crowded August concert season in Macau, Galaxy Entertainment Group—and particularly its flagship Galaxy Macau resort—has seen a notable lift in casino activity thanks to the popularity of Hong Kong superstar Eason Chan. Citigroup analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau reported that the average premium mass-market live-baccarat table bet in August climbed 10 percent year-on-year, reaching HKD 21,543 (approximately US $2,744).
In a noteworthy development for Asia’s gaming landscape, Macau's sole sports betting operator, Macau Slot (under STDM/SJM), has signaled confidence that Hong Kong’s move to legalize basketball betting will not immediately dent its performance. “Concerning the possible basketball betting legalization in Hong Kong, we don’t foresee an immediate impact on our results since almost 90 percent of our business comes from local customers,” said Harry Lan, Chief Betting Officer at Macau Slot, on Monday.
This week, the Philippine Senate is set to launch a pivotal inquiry into the burgeoning online gambling industry, a sector now raising alarms over its social ramifications and regulatory gaps. Chaired by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements, the hearing will commence Thursday, August 14, 2025, and will scrutinize several bills and resolutions targeting the growing influence of eGaming platforms.
In an unexpected yet intriguing twist in Japan’s tourism development landscape, Yokosuka—a city already known for its naval heritage and industrial prowess—has surfaced as a fresh contender for the country’s second wave of Integrated Resort (IR) projects. This development was reported on August 11, 2025, by GGRAsia, which cited Bungeishunju Ltd. in revealing that the Oppama Plant of Nissan Motor Co., located in Yokosuka just south of Yokohama, is now being eyed as a potential IR candidate site.
Author: Janice Chew • Monday, 11/08/2025
