Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) has officially launched a new office in Singapore’s Central Business District, a move designed to bolster its tourism and MICE foothold across Southeast Asia. The initiative supports the Macau SAR Government’s strategy of attracting more international visitors, aligning with incentives like the up-to-5% GGR tax reduction for non-Greater-China tourists.
Jeju Dream Tower, the foreigner-only integrated resort on South Korea’s Jeju Island, continued its impressive growth streak in August, extending seven consecutive months of volume and visitation gains. According to Lotte Tour Development, visitation in August reached 57,042, surpassing July’s record of 56,691, while casino drop climbed 2.5% to KRW 281.1 billion (US$202 million). This included KRW 251.5 billion (US$181 million) from table games and KRW 29.6 billion (US$21.2 million) from machine play. Despite this volume surge, casino sales slightly dipped to KRW 43.0 billion (US$30.9 million) due to a softer hold rate. Year-to-date figures for January through August show casino sales up 46.1%, while hotel revenue lagged, declining 11.5% to KRW 59.0 billion (US$42.3 million).
Macau’s casinos are seeing a renewed surge in the use of third-party agents to bring in players, a trend fueled by the deployment of smart table technology. According to Seaport Research Partners, smart tables enhance transparency by tracking precisely who is being brought to the tables and their betting behavior, restoring operator confidence in the agent model after its prior decline.
LET Group and its subsidiary Summit Ascent Holdings posted impressive first-half results in 2025, bolstered by improved performance at their Russian integrated resort, Tigre de Cristal, and the launch of a new export trading business.
Melco International Development Ltd, the Hong Kong-listed parent of Melco Resorts, delivered a standout financial recovery in the first half of 2025. The company posted a profit of HK$350.8 million (US$45 million), reversing its prior-year loss of HK$253.2 million (US$32.5 million). This rebound reflects significant improvements across the group's gaming and non-gaming operations.
Author: Janice Chew • Tuesday, 02/09/2025
