Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 37 Week of 20 October 2025
(1) SJM strengthens Southeast Asia tourism ties with promotions in Indonesia and Malaysia
Macau casino operator SJM Resorts has stepped up efforts to attract Southeast Asian tourists, after taking part in the ‘Experience Macao Mega Sale’ events in Indonesia and Malaysia earlier this month, amongst a government-led push to expand Macau’s tourism reach.
(2) Pagcor, Philippines’ National Privacy Commission sign MOU on bolstering data protection for gaming sector
The Philippine gambling regulator Pagcor has partnered with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) to strengthen data privacy in the gaming sector, formalizing an agreement to develop joint programs for privacy awareness and a database tracking government officials banned from casinos.
(3) For South Korea, Japan demonstrates potential of casino resorts to lift economy
Well prior to its targeted opening in 2030, MGM Osaka is already serving as a model for South Korea of how IRs can boost tourism.
(4) Macau authorities opened 760 illegal gambling investigations in the past judicial year
Authorities in Macau opened 760 investigations into illegal gambling-related crimes in the past judicial year, marking a sharp increase of 435 cases from the previous year.
(1) SJM strengthens Southeast Asia tourism ties with promotions in Indonesia and Malaysia
(Photo Credit: Grand Lisboa Palace/Asia Gambing Brief)
From October 9–12, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) organized a promotional roadshow across Indonesia and Malaysia, with SJM Resorts showcasing its flagship properties—Grand Lisboa Macau and Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, at Jakarta’s Gandaria City Mall and Kuala Lumpur’s IOI City Mall. The events featured interactive games, lucky draws, and photo opportunities with mascot “Sam the Rooster,” while promoting integrated “Tourism+” packages combining luxury stays, fine dining, family edu-tainment, golf, and art exhibitions.
As part of the initiative, SJM hosted two professional luncheons at The Westin Jakarta and Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, gathering over 80 representatives from airlines, travel agencies, and MICE planners. These sessions included updates on SJM’s developments, prize quizzes, and collaborative discussions aimed at tailoring travel products for Southeast Asian markets, reinforcing Macau’s position as a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” under the SAR government’s diversification strategy.
The roadshow reflects Macau’s ongoing push to reduce reliance on mainland Chinese tourists by expanding international visitor sources, with gaming operators like SJM actively participating in global promotions. However, international travelers accounted for only 7% of Macau’s 19.2 million visitors in the first half of this year, unchanged from the same period last year, highlighting the persistent challenge of diversifying beyond the dominant mainland Chinese and Hong Kong markets.
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/macau/21/10/2025/sjm-strengthens-southeast-asia-tourism-ties-with-promotions-in-indonesia-and-malaysia/
(2) Pagcor, Philippines’ National Privacy Commission sign MOU on bolstering data protection for gaming sector
(Photo Credit: GGR Asia)
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), the nation’s gambling regulator and operator, has formalized a partnership with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen data privacy protocols within the gaming industry. The collaboration aims to implement joint initiatives focused on privacy awareness, capacity building, and policy development, addressing the sector’s handling of sensitive information.
Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco emphasized that the MOU aligns the agency’s operations with evolving data privacy standards, reinforcing its commitment to protecting personal information while maintaining transparency and trust. A key outcome will be the development of a comprehensive database tracking government officials and employees prohibited from gambling, enhancing regulatory compliance. NPC Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga highlighted the necessity of inter-agency cooperation for industries managing large volumes of sensitive data.
This partnership underscores the growing emphasis on data security in regulated industries, particularly in gaming, where privacy risks are heightened. By integrating NPC’s expertise, Pagcor aims to balance operational efficiency with stringent privacy safeguards, setting a precedent for other sectors in the Philippines to adopt similar collaborative frameworks for data protection.
News Source: https://www.ggrasia.com/pagcor-philippines-national-privacy-commission-sign-mou-on-bolstering-data-protection-for-gaming-sector
(3) For South Korea, Japan demonstrates potential of casino resorts to lift economy
(Photo Credit: MGM Osaka/iGB)
South Korean business and tourism experts convened at a forum hosted by the Korea Times Global Business Club and the Tourism Sciences Society of Korea to explore strategies for enhancing the sustainability and competitive edge of the country’s Integrated Resort (IR) industry. Discussions highlighted the need for a cohesive vision, contrasting Korea’s fragmented approach—marked by regulatory overlap and insufficient innovation—with Japan’s coordinated model exemplified by the MGM Osaka IR, which integrates gaming, non-gaming amenities, and community alignment to drive long-term growth.
The MGM Osaka project, an 8.2 billion development on Yumeshima Island set to open in 2030, serves as a benchmark for success, projected to attract 20 million annual visitors, generate 3.4 billion in gaming revenue, and create 20,000 jobs while addressing Japan’s labor shortages through international hiring. Professor Kang Sung-sook emphasized that Japan’s IR strategy synchronizes government, investors, and local communities, fostering a holistic destination experience that Korea currently lacks due to disjointed policies and inadequate tourism integration.
While MGM Osaka poses a competitive threat to South Korea—potentially drawing 7.6 million Korean tourists annually and $1.9 billion in spending—experts like Professor Kang see potential for mutual benefit, as Japanese newcomers to casino gaming may subsequently explore Korean IRs. However, Korea must address regulatory inefficiencies, propose an independent oversight body, and embrace a unified, innovation-driven approach to transform competition into cross-national synergy and strengthen its global IR standing.
News Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/integrated-resorts/south-korea-japan-potential-casino-resorts-lift-economy/
(4) Macau authorities opened 760 illegal gambling investigations in the past judicial year
(Photo Credit: The Macao News)
Macau saw a significant rise in gaming-related criminal cases in the first half of 2025, with 1,139 investigations marking a 66.8% increase (456 more cases) compared to the same period last year. Prosecutor General Tong Hio Fong attributed this surge primarily to the enforcement of Law No. 20/2024 (the Law to Combat Illegal Gambling Crimes), which criminalizes unlicensed currency exchange for gambling—a practice previously operating in a legal gray area. This legislation specifically led to 410 inquiries targeting illegal money-changing operations.
The crackdown on underground financial intermediaries is part of Macau’s broader strategy to create a “cleaner and more sustainable” gaming environment, aligning with central government directives and economic diversification goals. Reforms include tighter supervision of junket operators, enhanced anti-money laundering controls, and a focus on dismantling illicit networks that long thrived on the fringes of the gaming sector. Tong emphasized that the rise in cases reflects strengthened enforcement rather than an increase in underlying crime.
Macau, the world’s largest casino hub, is transitioning from a reliance on gaming revenue toward a diversified economy, with these legal measures reinforcing its commitment to regulatory rigor. The proactive judicial approach underscores the city’s effort to balance industry vitality with integrity, ensuring long-term stability and compliance with national expectations. The continued enforcement of Law No. 20/2024 signals a permanent shift away from unregulated financial practices in the gaming ecosystem.
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/macau/22/10/2025/macau-authorities-opened-760-illegal-gambling-investigations-in-the-past-judicial-year/
