Japan’s ruling coalition has again confirmed that it plans not to tax casino winnings earned by non-residents at the country’s upcoming integrated resorts (IRs), reinforcing a stance aimed at boosting tourism and making Japan competitive with other major gaming hubs. This policy goal was outlined on December 19, 2025 by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party, in their proposed tax reform framework for fiscal 2026 — ahead of the first casino opener in Osaka scheduled for autumn 2030.
Casino sales at Jeju Dream Tower reached US$330 million in 2025, driven by a sharp rebound in visitation as international travel continued to normalise. According to figures released by operator Lotte Tour Development, the resort’s casino recorded a 54% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers, reflecting stronger demand from overseas markets, particularly from China and other parts of Northeast Asia. The performance marks one of the strongest annual results since the foreigner-only casino opened, highlighting Jeju’s renewed appeal as a regional gaming and leisure destination.
South Korea’s leading casino operator Paradise Co is set to complete the acquisition of the West Wing of Grand Hyatt Incheon on Tuesday, marking a strategic expansion of its hospitality footprint around Incheon International Airport. The deal forms part of Paradise Co’s broader plan to strengthen synergies between its foreigner-only casino operations and nearby hotel infrastructure, particularly linked to its flagship Paradise City integrated resort. The acquisition is expected to further consolidate Paradise Co’s presence in the Incheon tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) corridor.
Sri Lanka’s government has enacted significant changes to its casino and gaming tax regime effective January 1, 2026, doubling the casino entrance levy for local citizens and increasing the gross collection levy on gambling businesses. According to an official Inland Revenue Department notice, the **Casino Entrance Levy (CEL) now stands at USD 100 per local entrant, up from USD 50 previously — a direct effort to generate higher government revenue and moderate domestic gambling participation.
Macau-based casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd (GEG) has announced a significant equity incentive grant to selected directors and staff, including members of its founding family, under its share award and share option schemes. The disclosures came from a Hong Kong Stock Exchange filing made after trading hours, revealing that the firm issued a total of 8,355,200 share awards under its current share award scheme, which was established in May 2023.
Author: Janice Chew • Saturday, 03/01/2026
