Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 26 Week of 4 August 2025
(1) Jeju Dream Tower Sets New Top Records for Casino Drop, Sales and Visitation in July
Jeju Dream Tower achieved record-high July results with 56,691 visitors (+9% MoM) and KRW274.2B casino drop (+13.4%), driving 2025 casino sales up 49.3% to KRW238B.
(2) Byron Yip to depart as Okada Manila President and COO, replaced by Universal’s Nobuki Sato
Byron Yip will step down as President and COO of Okada Manila operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc (TRLEI) after seven years in the job, to be replaced by parent company Universal Entertainment Corp’s Nobuki Sato.
(3) Vietnam’s proposed casino entry fees seen as revenue streamlining move, not ban on locals
The Vietnam Ministry of Finance’s draft outlines a two-tiered access fee for locals following the wealth test for locals currently being trialled at Phu Quoc’s Corona Resort & Casino.
(4) Thailand continues crackdown on illegal gambling websites, busting $1.73M platform
Thailand police conducted a raid on a house in relation to the illegal gambling site Auto888vip.com, seizing THB28 million in cash, luxury watches and luxury goods, as well as two luxury vehicles.
(1) Jeju Dream Tower Sets New Top Records for Casino Drop, Sales and Visitation in July
(Photo Credit: Inside Asian Gaming)
Korea’s Jeju Dream Tower achieved another milestone in July, continuing an impressive six month stretch of growth. Parent company Lotte Tour reported 56,691 visitors – surpassing June’s previous high of 51,515 – while casino drop rose 13.4% to KRW274.2 billion (US$198 million). This included KRW240.6 billion (US$173 million) from tables and KRW33.6 billion (US$24.2 million) from machines, contributing to an all-time high in casino sales of KRW43.4 billion (US$31.3 million), aided by higher hold compared with June.
For the first seven months of 2025 combined, casino sales at Jeju Dream Tower are up 49.3% to KRW238.0 billion (US$172 million) although hotel revenue, on the other hand, is down 10.7% to KRW43.8 billion (US$31.6 million).
The 38-storey Jeju Dream Tower – the tallest building on the island – relocated from the former Lotte Hotel Jeju in 2021. Since its move, the casino has significantly expanded its gaming offerings, now housing 141 gaming tables, 190 slot machines, and 71 electronic table games. The property’s strategic enhancements and diversified attractions – including a skydeck, spas, and pool deck – have solidified its appeal as a premier integrated resort.
News Source: https://asgam.com/2025/08/03/jeju-dream-tower-sets-new-records-for-casino-drop-sales-and-visitation-in-july/
(2) Byron Yip to depart as Okada Manila President and COO, replaced by Universal’s Nobuki Sato
(Photo Credit: Byron Yip)
Byron Yip will step down as President and COO of Okada Manila operator TRLEI after seven years in the job, to be replaced by parent company Universal Entertainment Corp’s Nobuki Sato. Sato, who will assume his new position from 15 September, is currently Universal’s Senior Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
Yip is departing Okada Manila to “embark on the next chapter of his career” but will continue to oversee daily operations and support the leadership transition through September. “Byron Yip’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing Okada Manila as a leading destination in the region, exemplified by our achievement of the Forbes 5-Star rating – the largest Forbes 5-star Integrated Resort in the Philippines to receive this distinction for the sixth consecutive year – and the successful execution of key expansion initiatives”, said Tomohiro Okada, Representative Director and President of Universal Entertainment Corporation.
Yip’s departure comes at a challenging time for Manila’s land-based casino industry given the decline in VIP play following the nationwide ban on POGOs and a substantial drop in visitation from South Korea and China this year. TRLEI last month reported a 19.6% year-on-year and 9.1% quarter-on-quarter fall in gross gaming revenues to PHP7.10 billion (US$125 million) in 1Q25.
News Source: https://asgam.com/2025/08/07/byron-yip-to-depart-as-okada-manila-president-and-coo-replaced-by-universals-nobuki-sato/
(3) Vietnam’s proposed casino entry fees seen as revenue streamlining move, not ban on locals
(Photo Credit: Asia Gaming Brief)
The Ministry of Finance’s draftoutlines a two-tiered access fee for locals: VND2.5 million ($100) for a 24-hour pass or VND50 million ($2,000) for a monthly pass. These would replace the previous wealth test trialled at Phu Quoc’s Corona Resort & Casino, which required locals to show proof of a monthly income of at least VND10 million ($400) and pay a VND1 million ($40) entry fee.
Speaking to AGB, Tim Nguyen, Director of Fortuna Investments, said the Ministry of Finance’s draft decree represents a shift away from burdensome income verification processes and moves Vietnam closer to Singapore’s tightly controlled model of local casino access, while avoiding the more liberal approaches adopted in the Philippines and Cambodia.
The new proposal follows concerns that wealth verification requirements were impractical for both casino operators and customers, as many prospective players were unable to provide the necessary documentation in advance. Nguyen argued that the flat-fee model removes bureaucratic friction and provides a more straightforward way to regulate local participation. “For high rollers, a daily fee of VND2.5 million is not a big deterrent,” he said. “Many will prefer this to showing income documents.” Conversely, the system is expected to discourage casual or low-income gamblers. “The fee increase is a strong barrier,” Nguyen noted. “Occasional visitors may find it too expensive, limiting small-scale gambling.”
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/vietnam/06/08/2025/vietnams-proposed-casino-entry-fees-seen-as-revenue-streamlining-move-not-ban-on-locals/
(4) Thailand continues crackdown on illegal gambling websites, busting $1.73M platform
(Photo Credit: Asia Gaming Brief)
Even as the debate continues over legalizing gambling in Thailand, police are hot on the heels of illegal operations, on Wednesday busting a THB56 million ($1.73 million) gambling website operating north of Bangkok.
According to the Bangkok Post, the raid was conducted after police received information linked to illegal gambling site Auto888vip.com. During the raid on a house in the Khlong Luang area of Pathum Thani, police arrested one 30-year-old individual who allegedly handled the finances of the platform – both withdrawing money from the site and handling proceeds.
Amongst the items seized was THB28 million ($865,000) in cash, luxury watches and luxury goods, as well as two luxury vehicles. The titles on the house and land were also frozen. Authorities indicate that Auto888vip.com had around 3,000 active user accounts monthly, and processed cash withdrawals amounting to THB20 million ($618,000) per month over the past six months. The investigation is ongoing, with hopes for further apprehensions.
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/thailand/06/08/2025/thailand-continues-crackdown-on-illegal-gambling-websites-busting-1-73m-platform/
