Macau is making a major show of support for the forthcoming 15th National Games of China, the 12th National Para Games, and the 9th National Special Olympics by securing substantial contributions from its gaming concessionaires. Collectively, the six concessionaires in Macau have pledged MOP 240 million (about US$30 million) to the Macau Organizing Committee for the Games. Each operator is contributing equally — MOP 40 million (roughly US$5 million) each — and is also offering venue support to host different events.
Indonesia is intensifying its crackdown on online gambling content. According to the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), roughly 2.8 million pieces of content were removed between October 20, 2024 and September 16, 2025, and about 2.1 million of those are directly tied to online gambling platforms or promotions. Removal spans across many types of platforms: from websites (nearly 1.93 million items) to file-sharing services, and social media apps owned by Meta, Google, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, TikTok, and others. The effort is part of a broader national campaign to enforce existing laws, since gambling (both online and offline) is illegal under Indonesian criminal law.
Australia is making regulatory strides to integrate stablecoins more cleanly into its financial system. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is introducing an exemption for stablecoin intermediaries — specifically, those who distribute stablecoins issued by licensed providers — so that they will no longer need a full financial services license. This regulation is part of the Stablecoin Distribution Exemption Instrument 2025/631 which provides class relief, removing certain licensing burdens for these intermediaries.
Macau is set to see another shift in its casino landscape: Melco Resorts & Entertainment has confirmed the closure of Grand Dragon Casino (Taipa) and Mocha Kuong Fat Slots Club (downtown Macau) early next week. Grand Dragon will cease operations at 23:59 on Monday, 22 September 2025, and Mocha Kuong Fat will shut down at 23:59 on Wednesday, 24 September 2025.
Cambodia’s NagaCorp has revealed a significant leap in its financial performance, with a net profit of US$148.8 million over the first half of 2025 and an EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) of US$200.3 million. According to Chairman Philip Lee Wai Tuck, a combination of mass-market gaming, premium tables, and a strong rebound in tourism have all played major roles in driving this upswing.
Author: Janice Chew • Saturday, 20/09/2025
