Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 46 Week of 5 January 2026
(1) Sri Lanka Raises Casino Entrance and Gross Collection Levies for 2026
With the start of the new year, Sri Lanka issued a formal notice to casino operators and businesses, announcing an increase in its casino entrance and gross collection levies for 2026.
(2) HKJC sees near 20% jump in World Pool turnover on overseas races
HKJC’s World Pool turnover on overseas races rises nearly 20% to HK$9.3B in 2025, driven by more international meetings; Ka Ying Rising’s Everest run sets single-race record of HK$83M.
(3) Macau police bust counterfeit chip ring targeting gamblers
Macau police arrested four men in a counterfeit chip scam defrauding gamblers of HK$210,000; 128 fake chips seized, linked to a syndicate; suspects charged with fraud and criminal organization involvement.
(4) SJM Holdings proposes new notes offering to refinance US$500 million in outstanding notes due this month
SJM Holdings proposes new notes issuance and tender offer to refinance US$500M 2026 notes; Fitch rates ‘BB-‘ with Negative outlook due to GLP underperformance and satellite closures impacting deleveraging.
(1) Sri Lanka Raises Casino Entrance and Gross Collection Levies for 2026
(Photo Credit: Alexey Komarov)
The second half of 2025 marked significant changes for Sri Lanka’s gambling sector due to the beginning of regulatory framework reforms in the country in June 2025 by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This evolution in the gambling industry has been further strengthened by the recent adjustments to the casino entrance and gross collection levies.
Sri Lanka has announced an increase in its casino entrance and gross collection levies for 2026. A formal statement issued by the Inland Revenue Department to casino operators and businesses outlines these changes. This is put into place by amendments made to the Betting and Gaming Levy Act of 1988 in the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Act of 2025.
Under the new regulations, the casino entrance levy (CEL) will rise from US$50 to US$100 per entrant, while the gross collection levy will increase from 15% to 18%. The notice specifies that any individual entering a gaming establishment in Sri Lanka will be required to pay the increased CEL with effect from 1 January 2026. Additionally, a gross collection levy of 18% will be applied to total gaming revenues exceeding Rs. 1 million per month.
News Source: https://readwrite.com/sri-lanka-increases-casino-entrance-gross-collection-levies-2026/
(2) HKJC sees near 20% jump in World Pool turnover on overseas races
(Photo Credit: Asia Gaming Brief)
The Hong Kong Jockey Club reported a near 20% year-on-year increase in World Pool turnover on overseas races in 2025, rising to HK$9.3 billion from HK$7.8 billion in 2024. The growth was driven by expanding the number of international meetings commingled into the platform from 48 to 57, an 18.75% rise, broadening its global reach and boosting betting volumes across multiple markets.
A record single-race turnover of HK$83 million was achieved when Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising competed in The Everest at Randwick, surpassing the previous high of HK$66.2 million from the 2023 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. All Hong Kong Group 1 races were included in World Pool for the first time, contributing HK$1.6 billion, with total annual turnover across 329 races in ten jurisdictions reaching HK$10.9 billion.
HKJC Executive Director of Racing Andrew Harding described 2025 as a highly positive year for World Pool, noting the platform’s role in globalising horse racing through increased revenue streams and higher prize money for international partners. The expansion and record results position Hong Kong as a key player in worldwide commingled betting, with further growth anticipated in 2026 through additional fixtures and outreach.
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/hong-kong/07/01/2026/hkjc-sees-near-20-jump-in-world-pool-turnover-on-overseas-races/
(3) Macau police bust counterfeit chip ring targeting gamblers
(Photo Credit: Asia Gaming Brief)
Macau police have arrested four men involved in a counterfeit casino chip scheme that defrauded three gamblers of HK$210,000. The operation targeted gamblers outside casino premises in Cotai and NAPE, offering to exchange fake chips for cash. Authorities seized 128 counterfeit chips, each valued at HK$10,000, all from the same batch linked to a similar incident in January of the previous year. The casinos themselves reported no financial losses, as the fraud primarily affected individual gamblers. This case highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in Macau’s gaming industry, where criminal syndicates exploit high-stakes environments to prey on unsuspecting players.
The investigation commenced on January 3rd when a suspect attempted to exchange seven fake chips with a gambler at a Cotai casino, leading to a dispute that alerted casino staff and police. Officers detained the initial suspect and the victim for questioning, uncovering additional reports from two other casinos operated by the same company—one in Cotai and one in the New Port area—where 18 more counterfeit chips were found. This prompted the identification and arrest of two more suspects. Later that evening, the fourth individual was apprehended at the Border Gate checkpoint while trying to flee Macau. Police confirmed the group’s coordinated efforts, focusing on casinos under one operator to maximize their scam’s reach.
The suspects, recruited by a mainland-based criminal syndicate in late November, entered Macau on the day of the offense and admitted to instructions to approach gamblers for chip exchanges. They were promised at least RMB20,000 each upon success. Now transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office, the men face charges of participating in a criminal organization and large-scale fraud. This bust underscores the need for enhanced vigilance in Macau’s entertainment and gaming sector, potentially influencing regulatory measures to combat organized crime in commercial hubs.
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/macau/05/01/2026/macau-police-bust-counterfeit-chip-ring-targeting-gamblers/
(4) SJM Holdings proposes new notes offering to refinance US$500 million in outstanding notes due this month
(Photo Credit: Inside Asian Gaming)
SJM Holdings, a major Macau casino operator, has announced plans for an international offering of new senior notes to refinance existing indebtedness, primarily targeting US$500 million in 4.500% senior notes maturing on 27 January 2026. The new notes, offered exclusively to non-US persons, will have pricing determined via a book-building process managed by joint coordinators and bookrunners. Concurrently, through subsidiary Champion Path Holdings Limited, SJM launched a cash tender offer to repurchase any and all outstanding 2026 notes at par value (US$1,000 per US$1,000 principal). The company stated that proceeds from the new issuance will extend its debt maturity profile and bolster financial flexibility amid ongoing industry challenges.
Fitch Ratings assigned the proposed notes a ‘BB-‘ rating with a Negative outlook for SJM, citing uncertainties in the company’s deleveraging path. Key concerns include sluggish performance at its flagship Cotai property, Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP), which has struggled to ramp up despite investments, and market share erosion from the recent closure and restructuring of satellite casinos. Fitch projects EBITDA leverage rising above 8x in 2025 before declining to around 5x by 2027. However, the agency noted SJM remains on a medium-term deleveraging trajectory, supported by improving free cash flow, debt reduction efforts, and recent reallocations of gaming tables and staff from closed satellites to self-operated venues like Casino L’Arc Macau.
This refinancing move comes as Macau’s gaming sector enters 2026 with moderate growth expectations of 5-6% in gross gaming revenue, driven by mass-market recovery, though satellite casino closures have impacted operators like SJM. The transaction, if successful, could provide breathing room for SJM to navigate operational hurdles at GLP and capitalise on broader market stabilisation.
News Source: https://asgam.com/2026/01/06/sjm-holdings-proposes-new-notes-offering-to-refinance-us500-million-in-outstanding-notes-due-this-month/
