In a decisive move to strengthen its financial footing in the United States, Genting Malaysia has unveiled a strategic restructuring plan designed to eliminate the debt burden of its wholly owned subsidiary, Empire Resorts. The company intends to launch a sale-and-lease-back arrangement involving key non-gaming assets of Resorts World Catskills (RWC) and associated developments in upstate New York. The deal marks a pivotal shift in the company’s strategic priorities and regional positioning.
Genting Malaysia is poised for a potential financial uplift in 2026 as fresh cost restructuring efforts at its Empire Resorts division appear to yield promising results. According to Maybank Investment Bank, the revised cost structure could raise Genting Malaysia’s earnings by up to 24%, signaling a major strategic win for the company’s U.S. operations.
In a significant stride for Vietnam’s tourism and entertainment landscape, local powerhouse Sun Group has received formal approval from both the Prime Minister and the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee to develop a US$2 billion integrated resort in Van Don, Quang Ninh Province. The resort will be managed by the Sun Group affiliate, Van Don Sun Joint Stock Company, marking a pivotal expansion in the developer’s impressive regional portfolio.
Japan’s highly anticipated MGM Osaka integrated resort (IR) is advancing full steam ahead, with the national government affirming that both the developer and Osaka’s local authorities are pushing the project forward with notable vigor. According to a recent statement from the Japan Tourism Agency—part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism—the project is “proceeding vigorously” and continues to satisfy all the stipulated requirement criteria.
In a landmark move, Sri Lanka’s Parliament has officially passed a bill to establish a Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA)—a major step toward modernizing, centralizing, and strengthening oversight over the nation’s gambling industry.
Author: Janice Chew • Monday, 18/08/2025
