The economy of Thailand slipped into contraction in the third quarter of 2025, marking a troubling turn for a country that has been attempting to rebound post-pandemic and from global trade headwinds. A poll of economists conducted by Reuters found that GDP likely grew just 1.6 % year-on-year in Q3, down sharply from 2.8 % in Q2; on a quarter-on-quarter basis the figure likely contracted by around 0.3 %. The country thus appears to be heading into the year’s second half in fragile shape, despite pockets of strength.
India’s burgeoning real-money gaming (RMG) sector has hit a severe downturn following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA). Industry observers report that the sector has absorbed asset write-downs of over ₹7,000 crore (approximately USD 840 million) and foregone revenues exceeding ₹10,000 crore in just a few months, even before full enforcement of the law.
South Korea’s in-city casino operator GKL is at a strategic crossroads. On one hand it has physical venues that require renewal and refreshing, on the other it has an opportunity to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to reshape its business model. According to statements by CEO Yoon Doo‑hyun in a recent interview, the company is actively pursuing both tracks.
Century Entertainment International Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong-listed) has announced that it expects to post a profit of not less than HKD 25 million for the six-months ended 30 September 2025, reversing a HKD 11.4 million loss in the same period last year. This turnaround is chiefly attributed to rising revenues from two newly-operational subsidiaries: one being the company’s gaming-technology platform business in the Philippines, and the other a camellia-oil venture in China.
Universal Entertainment Corp (UEC), the parent company of Okada Manila in the Philippines, is banking on a two-pronged strategy—hotel room renovations and the return of veteran marketing executive Shirley Tam—to reverse declining fortunes at the resort. UEC’s results for the nine months to 30 September show net sales of JPY 95.6 billion and a narrowed net loss of JPY 10.6 billion, nearly half what it was in the previous comparable period.
Author: Janice Chew • Monday, 17/11/2025
