The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) have launched a landmark partnership aimed at strengthening legal protection for tourism sector stakeholders. Officially unveiled at the DOT’s Makati City offices on October 21, the initiative comprises two major components: free legal aid for tourism businesses and workers, and a DOT-IBP Privilege Card offering lawyers access to perks at accredited tourist destinations.
In a swift reversal of policy, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reimposed a nationwide ban on poker just over two months after the game was decriminalised under his predecessor’s government. The decision comes as part of Anutin’s broader anti-gambling platform, which emphasises the elimination of all forms of gambling, including games previously framed as skill-based.
The Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) has quietly increased its stake in Sands China Ltd. to 74.76%, bringing it very close to the 75% cap imposed by the Hong Kong Exchange under its public float rules. This move comes after the company spent approximately US$337 million between 1 July and 10 October 2025 to raise its interest by about 1.4 percentage points.
The integrated resort Marina Bay Sands in Singapore has shifted its approach to calculating hold rates on rolling baccarat — a move that reflects the resort’s rising banking margins and the deployment of smart gaming technologies. According to the recent quarterly report of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS), the theoretical hold-adjusted win percentage for its rolling chip play at Marina Bay Sands reached 4.2 % for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, up from 3.5 % in the same quarter in 2024.
Japan’s political landscape has just witnessed a historic moment with Sanae Takaichi becoming the country’s first female prime minister, representing a turning point in both gender representation and policy direction. What is particularly noteworthy is her long-standing advocacy for the country’s integrated resort (IR) framework—an area that places gambling, tourism and regional economic planning under one umbrella. According to industry reporting, she emerged as an early and vocal supporter of the IR legislation that began taking form in the mid-2010s.
Author: Janice Chew • Thursday, 23/10/2025
