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.
Singapore’s police have released new data showing that casino operators were the second-largest contributors to suspicious transaction reports (STRs) in 2024, underscoring the role of the gaming sector in anti-money laundering efforts. According to the Singapore Police Force’s Commercial Affairs Department annual report, casinos submitted 10,261 STRs last year, out of a total 85,988 reported from all sources — an overall increase of nearly 29 % compared with the year before.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment will begin operating three Mocha slot clubs through a dedicated management company from 1 January 2026, marking another adjustment to Macau’s evolving satellite and slot club operating framework. The change follows regulatory refinements under Macau’s new gaming concessions, which require clearer lines of responsibility and stronger oversight by licensed concessionaires. The three Mocha venues involved will continue to operate, but under a structure that places Melco in a more direct managerial role.
Wynn Macau has confirmed it will cap intellectual property (IP) licence fees at US$150 million annually from 2026, formalising a key cost-control measure under Macau’s new gaming concession framework. The cap applies to fees paid to parent company Wynn Resorts for the use of branding, trademarks and related IP, reflecting updated regulatory expectations around transparency and related-party transactions. The move follows disclosures made in Wynn Macau’s regulatory filings ahead of the new financial year.
Author: Janice Chew • Saturday, 03/01/2026
