A newly intensifying corruption scandal in the Philippines is drawing in casinos, government officials, and anti-money laundering authorities. Senator Panfilo Lacson has alleged that several former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) lost around PHP 950 million (≈ US$16.6 million) in casinos across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Pampanga. The suspicion is that these gambling losses are not just losses, but part of a more complex scheme involving money laundering, where ill-gotten funds from anomalous flood control projects are being funneled through casinos to disguise their origin. The Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has confirmed that it will probe the casinos mentioned in connection with the case.
Macau’s government has collected MOP 61.88 billion (≈ US$7.71 billion) in gaming-tax revenue in the first eight months of 2025, an increase of 5.3% year-on-year. In August alone, tax receipts from gaming stood at around MOP 8.51 billion. Under Macau’s current 10-year gaming concession regime, which took effect from January 1, 2023, casinos are taxed at an effective rate of 40% on gross gaming revenue (GGR).
MGM China Limited has announced that it will pay up to HK$200 million (about US$25.7 million) to Shun Tak Holdings in 2025 under its Fourth Renewed Master Service Agreement to use Shun Tak’s hotel rooms and related services in Macau — a HK$20 million (≈ US$2.6 million) increase over the previously agreed cap. The hotels involved in this agreement include the Mandarin Oriental Macau and the Artyzen Grand Lapa. The revision reflects MGM China’s forecasted growth in offsite gaming accommodation demand, and higher-than-expected room purchases under the agreement.
Wynn Resorts is stepping up its recruitment drive in anticipation of the 2027 debut of its integrated resort on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, marking one of the most ambitious hospitality developments in the UAE. The property—which will be the country’s first legal casino resort—already has dozens of job listings live, spanning multiple disciplines including hospitality, entertainment, wellness, food & beverage, technical operations, marketing, finance and more. The resort is being built with luxury and scale in mind: more than 1,500 guest rooms, dozens of restaurants and lounges, retail space, a showroom/theatre, spa, beach club and more.
Genting Malaysia is bracing for continued pressure on profitability over the near term. In a recent rating commentary, Fitch Ratings forecasts that the company’s EBITDA margin will remain “compressed at ~23% from 2025 through 2027,” driven by rising operating and payroll-related costs, particularly in its UK and US operations. These cost pressures stem from things like higher minimum wages, labour-union contract renewals, and increased national insurance contributions in the UK.
Author: Janice Chew • Friday, 12/09/2025
