Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has passed a landmark bill mandating that ride-hailing platforms, vehicles, and drivers must all obtain licenses or permits before operating. Under the new framework, vehicles must be registered to individual owners, insured for third-party risk, and conform to age and inspection requirements, while drivers must be at least 21, hold a private car license for a minimum of one year, and have no serious traffic violations in the past five years. The government now plans to flesh out subsidiary legislation in early 2026, aiming for licensed ride-hailing services to begin in the fourth quarter of that year.
Macau’s gaming industry is on track for a solid third quarter in 2025 as Citigroup projects a 7 percent year-on-year increase in EBITDA, reaching around USD 2.07 billion, underpinned by resilient demand in the mass-market segment despite disruptions from Typhoon Ragasa. Gross gaming revenue (GGR) is similarly forecast to rise 12.5 percent YoY to MOP 62.57 billion (≈ USD 7.78 billion), which would mark the highest quarterly revenue since Macau’s post-COVID reopening. That said, margin pressures are expected: the storm forced a 33-hour shutdown of casino operations and elevated wage costs, shrinking EBITDA margin by an estimated 80 basis points to around 26.6 percent (versus 27.4 percent a year ago).
In the third quarter of 2025, illegal online gambling activity in the Philippines plunged by 93 percent compared to the previous quarter, according to data from cybersecurity firms Gogolook and Whoscall. The steep decline is being credited to enhanced regulatory enforcement and collaborative crackdowns involving multiple government agencies.
Singapore’s overnight visitor count from January to September 2025 reached 9.52 million, virtually unchanged year-on-year. Although total international arrivals edged up to 12.88 million (a 2.3 % increase), the portion staying overnight—considered a stronger indicator of tourism health—remained stagnant.
With Expo 2025 drawing to a close, Osaka is setting its sights on the island of Yumeshima not as a temporary exhibition ground, but as the anchor for a next-generation leisure and tourism hub. Local authorities and developers are now planning new entertainment, recreation, and commercial facilities to surround the MGM Osaka integrated resort, ensuring the post-Expo momentum is sustained rather than dissipated.
Author: Janice Chew • Thursday, 16/10/2025
