Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 33 Week of 22 September 2025
(1) Thailand Senate rejects casino bill, citing social and security risks
Thailand’s Senate has formally rejected a draft bill seeking to establish integrated entertainment complexes with casinos, citing risks to social stability, economic security, and national safety.
(2) Japan Enforces New Law to Curb Gambling Addiction and Restrict Online Casinos
Japan has put a new law into effect on September 25 aimed at addressing gambling addiction, with notable provisions including a ban on online gambling advertisements and a halt on launching new online casinos.
(3) Vietnam mulls allowing its citizens to gamble in casinos again
Under a new government plan, Vietnamese nationals could be permitted to gamble at two casinos in the country: Grand Ho Tram near Ho Chi Minh City and Van Don, under construction in Quang Ninh Province.
(4) Paradise Secures Grand Hyatt Incheon West Tower in $151M Deal
South Korea’s leading foreigner-only casino operator, is expanding its footprint in Incheon with the acquisition of the Grand Hyatt Incheon’s West Tower.
(1) Thailand Senate rejects casino bill, citing social and security risks
(Photo Credit: Asia Gaming Brief)
Thailand’s Senate has formally rejected a draft bill proposing integrated entertainment complexes with casinos. The decision aligns with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s consistent opposition to casino legalization, emphasizing that tourism development must not jeopardize social cohesion—a clear departure from the previous Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration’s pro-casino agenda.
A special Senate committee chaired by Dr. Veerapun Suvannamai warned that the bill could enable money laundering and erode public trust, recommending any future legalization attempts require a national referendum. Senators criticized the bill for obscuring its casino-centric core, with some noting recent policies (e.g., poker reclassification) already normalized gambling. Alternatives proposed included casino-free complexes, restricted gaming zones, or regulated online platforms, citing models like Sydney’s tourist-only access.
Proponents argued casinos could boost Thailand’s post-pandemic economy, generating an estimated THB187 billion ($5.14B) annually and contributing 1% of GDP, aided by a competitive 17% tax rate versus regional peers (25–40%). However, the Senate dismissed these projections, cautioning that revenue would largely redistribute wealth internally while imposing heavy infrastructural and regulatory costs on the state, with limited net economic benefit.
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/thailand/24/09/2025/thailand-senate-rejects-casino-bill-citing-social-and-security-risks/
(2) Japan Enforces New Law to Curb Gambling Addiction and Restrict Online Casinos
(Photo Credit: IGamingToday)
Japan has enacted a new law effective September 25 to combat gambling addiction, featuring a ban on online gambling advertisements and a halt on new online casino launches, reflecting heightened regulatory efforts despite the absence of severe penalties for non-compliance. The legislation, passed in June, targets pervasive advertising on platforms like YouTube and banking apps, including prohibitions on celebrity endorsements to reduce public exposure.
The law responds to alarming data from Japan’s National Police Agency indicating approximately 3.37 million people, predominantly under 40 years old, engage in online gambling, prompting coordinated awareness campaigns by local and national authorities to educate citizens on addiction risks and illegal gambling harms.
While Japan maintains legal gambling avenues like pachinko and sports betting, with the MGM Osaka resort slated for 2030 opening, the government aims to balance economic benefits, projected at $8.4 billion annually, with social responsibility, reinforcing a conservative approach to protect vulnerable groups and ensure sustainable industry growth through prevention and enforcement.
News Source: https://www.igamingtoday.com/japan-enforces-new-law-to-curb-gambling-addiction-and-restrict-online-casinos/
(3) Vietnam mulls allowing its citizens to gamble in casinos again
(Photo Credit: SiGMA)
The Vietnam Ministry of Finance is drafting a resolution to allow Vietnamese citizens meeting unspecified financial requirements to gamble at casinos in Van Don and Ho Tram on a five-year pilot basis, marking a potential shift from the current policy where all nine casinos in the country are exclusively open to foreigners. The ministry has not confirmed an implementation timeline, but this move signals a cautious expansion of domestic gambling access.
This initiative echoes a 2016 pilot that permitted locals to gamble at Corona Casino in Kien Giang and the planned Van Don facility, requiring proof of monthly income exceeding VND10 million and a VND1 million entry fee. However, the program was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic and suspended in January 2024 due to lackluster results. Meanwhile, the Van Don project—developed by Sun Group in Quang Ninh Province with a VND51.6 trillion (US$2 billion) investment—is set to open Phase 1 in 2027, featuring 214 casino tables and 2,140 slot machines upon completion in 2032.
Reports suggest the new pilot may remove income verification requirements and increase entry fees to VND2.5 million per day or VND50 million per month to enhance viability. Tim Nguyen of Fortuna Investments views this reactivation as a “strong move toward a more commercially viable gaming sector,” indicating Vietnam’s balancing act between economic benefits and social responsibility in gambling regulation.
News Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/vietnam-resume-locals-casino-gaming-pilot-proposal/
(4) Paradise Secures Grand Hyatt Incheon West Tower in $151M Deal
(Photo Credit: World Casino News)
Paradise Co. Ltd., South Korea’s leading foreigner-only casino operator, is expanding its Incheon presence through subsidiary Paradise SegaSammy Inc.’s acquisition of the Grand Hyatt Incheon’s West Tower for KRW210 billion (≈$151 million). The deal, set to close by October 2025, involves purchasing the building while leasing the land from Incheon International Airport Corporation. This move aims to strengthen Paradise’s competitive edge as an integrated resort operator and capitalize on growing overseas tourist demand, aligning with South Korea’s goal to attract 30 million foreign visitors through cultural and tourism initiatives.
The 16,000㎡ West Tower (opened in 2014) adds 501 rooms to Paradise City’s existing 769 rooms, bringing total capacity to 1,270 without new construction. Its proximity to Paradise City has sparked plans for a connecting bridge to facilitate guest movement. While 200 existing rooms currently support casino operations, the new acquisition—slated for post-renovation availability in late 2026—will provide flexibility for large-scale events like music festivals and exhibitions, enhancing synergy between hospitality and gaming offerings.
The investment represents 5.34% of Paradise Co.’s total assets (KRW3.93 trillion), with Paradise SegaSammy holding KRW1.58 trillion in consolidated assets. Beyond this acquisition, Paradise is pursuing a KRW575 billion hotel project in Seoul’s Jangchung district (targeting 2028 opening) and a 60,000㎡ augmented reality “Smart Racing Park” for 2027. These efforts, part of its “Value Up” plan to grow revenue by 10% annually through 2027, underscore Paradise’s multifaceted strategy to dominate Korea’s integrated resort market while innovating in leisure experiences.
News Source: https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/paradise-secures-grand-hyatt-incheon-west-tower-in-151m-deal-119890
