The projected cost of MGM Osaka has climbed to about JPY 1.51 trillion (roughly US$10.24 billion) in the latest development plan released by Osaka prefectural authorities — up from the earlier estimate of JPY 1.27 trillion. The increase is largely attributed to surging construction expenses: materials and labour costs have pushed the construction budget to about JPY 1.04 trillion, versus the prior forecast of JPY 722 billion.
Sri Lanka’s 2025 budget has introduced a number of gaming-industry reforms designed to increase state revenue, one of which is a raised turnover tax (levy) on casinos. Under the new framework, licensed casinos will see the tax on their gross collections increase from 15% to 18%. At the same time, the entrance fee for local residents will be doubled from US$50 to US$100 per person.
Shin Hwa World Ltd, the operator behind Jeju Shinhwa World resort in South Korea, has won shareholder approval for its proposed rights issue at the Special General Meeting held on 16 September 2025. The plan involves offering one rights share for every one existing share held by qualifying shareholders, at a subscription price of HK$0.10 per rights share, to raise gross proceeds of roughly HK$182.57 million.
Hakodate, a port city of roughly 240,000 in southern Hokkaido, has declared it is “in no position” at present to pursue an integrated resort (IR) with casino, despite earlier indications of interest. This statement comes from Mayor Jun Ōizumi, who during a session of the Hakodate city assembly on 16 September 2025, explained that while tourism is a major pillar for the city—and therefore there is a natural interest in hosting an IR—there are currently no plans or proposals in place to move forward.
Melco Resorts Finance Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, has unveiled a plan to shore up its debt profile by issuing new senior notes and launching a conditional cash tender offer to redeem its 5.250% senior notes due in 2026. The tender offer aims to purchase all of the outstanding 2026 notes at US$1,000 per US$1,000 principal amount. However, this purchase is contingent: it depends on the successful issuance of new notes whose gross proceeds must cover the cost of buying back the old 2026 bonds plus any costs and fees, and also allow redemption of any remaining 2026 notes that are not tendered.
Author: Janice Chew • Wednesday, 17/09/2025
