This week, the Philippine Senate is set to launch a pivotal inquiry into the burgeoning online gambling industry, a sector now raising alarms over its social ramifications and regulatory gaps. Chaired by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements, the hearing will commence Thursday, August 14, 2025, and will scrutinize several bills and resolutions targeting the growing influence of eGaming platforms.
In an unexpected yet intriguing twist in Japan’s tourism development landscape, Yokosuka—a city already known for its naval heritage and industrial prowess—has surfaced as a fresh contender for the country’s second wave of Integrated Resort (IR) projects. This development was reported on August 11, 2025, by GGRAsia, which cited Bungeishunju Ltd. in revealing that the Oppama Plant of Nissan Motor Co., located in Yokosuka just south of Yokohama, is now being eyed as a potential IR candidate site.
In the first half of 2025, Universal Entertainment Corp. faced a significant setback as its Philippines integrated resort, Okada Manila, delivered weaker-than-expected results. The company posted net sales of JPY 62.2 billion (US $421 million), reflecting a modest 1.2% decline year-on-year—but more tellingly, the resort itself saw sales drop 16.9% to JPY 34.6 billion, resulting in an operating loss of JPY 1.32 billion (US $8.9 million), in stark contrast to a JPY 3.28 billion (US $22.2 million) profit a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment also tumbled by 37.7%.
In the second quarter of 2025, Singapore’s duopoly in the integrated resort (IR) arena—Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and Marina Bay Sands (MBS)—saw a widening chasm, one that raised eyebrows across the investment community. JP Morgan, in a scathing analysis, highlighted that RWS had slipped to an all-time low market share of just 28%, marking the first time it dropped below 30% in its history of competition with MBS.
This August, Macau’s glitzy Cotai Strip thrives as a booming entertainment hub: casino resorts are set to host 32 arena-based shows, mostly concerts, across a range of world-class venues. While that number is a notch down from July’s 44 performances, the offering remains spectacularly vibrant.
Author: Janice Chew • Monday, 11/08/2025
