Vietnam is set to broaden its experiment with local casino gaming, granting The Grand Ho Tram integrated resort permission to admit Vietnamese citizens under an extended five-year pilot scheme. Previously, only Phu Quoc’s Corona Resort & Casino was authorized to welcome locals, but with its trial ending in 2024, the government’s Ministry of Finance is pushing for Ho Tram to become the next test site.
Macau has ordered the temporary closure of all casinos from 5pm on Tuesday as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches, with the city expected to raise tropical cyclone Signal No. 8 in the evening. Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said the move is necessary to protect lives and property, marking one of the few times Macau has mandated a gaming shutdown since Typhoon Hato in 2017, which caused severe damage and fatalities.
Macau’s luxury hotels are bracing for one of their busiest Octobers yet, as more than 20 properties within casino resorts have already sold out for at least five nights during the upcoming Golden Week holiday. Running from October 1 to 8 this year, the extended holiday coincides with both China’s National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Popular venues such as Wynn Palace, Grand Lisboa, Banyan Tree Macau, and The Ritz-Carlton are fully booked across the entire eight-day stretch.
Construction of the Wynn Al Marjan integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah has reached a major milestone, with the tower now standing at the 61st floor out of 70. Marjan CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli confirmed that the project remains on schedule, with a grand opening targeted for March 2027. The $3.9 billion resort will be the first integrated gaming property in the Middle East, following Wynn Resorts’ receipt of the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator license in 2024.
Thailand’s Senate is set to debate and likely oppose the controversial Entertainment Complex Bill, which sought to legalize casinos within integrated resorts. A special Senate panel concluded that the proposal violates constitutional provisions and could do more harm than good. The panel highlighted risks of increased gambling addiction, crime, and money laundering, while also stressing potential conflicts with Thailand’s moral values and international reputation.
Author: Janice Chew • Tuesday, 23/09/2025
