Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 53 Week of 23 February 2026
(1) Trainer David Hayes sends warning to Ka Ying Rising’s rivals after record-setting win
Ka Ying Rising claimed his 18th straight win in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin, shattering the track record.
(2) South Korean children’s parks exploited as gambling dens: Reports
Children’s parks in Seoul’s Daerim-dong have become daily gambling hubs for elderly men playing poker and mahjong, alarming families and authorities.
(3) Near-miss Mark Six ticket goes viral, inspires new betting strategies after record jackpot
Five lucky winners shared a record HK$210.9 million Mark Six jackpot, while a near-miss computer-generated ticket that closely mirrored the winning numbers went viral online, sparking humour, sympathy, and a wave of inventive lottery strategies among Hong Kong players.
(4) Macau government renews casino operators’ currency exchange authorisations
Macau’s government has renewed authorisations for Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, and SJM Holdings to provide currency exchange services at multiple casino locations, effective 24 February 2026, to better serve international visitors.
(1) Trainer David Hayes sends warning to Ka Ying Rising’s rivals after record-setting win
(Photo Credit: Sam Tsang)
Trainer David Hayes believes star sprinter Ka Ying Rising can dominate global sprint racing for several more seasons after a record-breaking win in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 1,400m at Sha Tin. The five-year-old clinched his 18th consecutive victory, surpassing Hong Kong legend Silent Witness’ long-standing streak and reinforcing his status as the world’s top sprinter.
Jumping sharply from gate three under jockey Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising settled behind early leader Copartner Prance before unleashing a powerful run in the straight. He quickly put quality rivals such as Helios Express, Lucky Sweynesse, and Galaxy Patch to the sword, turning the race into a time trial rather than a contest. Pushed out fully to the line instead of being eased down, he smashed the Sha Tin 1,400m track record by more than half a second, underlining both his speed and stamina at the distance.
Hayes, already decorated with Group One successes around the world, described Ka Ying Rising as a once-in-a-generation horse and emphasised that his rating and reputation are still climbing. The gelding now boasts 19 wins from 21 starts, including multiple elite victories such as The Everest in Australia, and was crowned Timeform’s Horse of the Year and Champion Sprinter for 2025. Hayes hopes that by placing him carefully, the stable can preserve his brilliance for another couple of years, giving handicappers and fans more chances to witness his historic talent.
Purton, celebrating his fifth win in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and part of a five-win haul on the day, called Ka Ying Rising the horse of a lifetime. He said the gelding makes top-class opposition look ordinary and performs with such ease that each ride feels surreal. The jockey admitted his main instruction was simply to break the track record, and he expressed pride that the performance has etched his and Hayes’ names into Hong Kong racing history alongside their extraordinary champion.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344269/ka-ying-rising-creates-hong-kong-history-18th-consecutive-win-record-breaking-triumph
(2) South Korean children’s parks exploited as gambling dens: Reports
(Photo Credit: SiGMA)
Children’s parks in Seoul’s Daerim-dong neighbourhood, Yeongdeungpo-gu, have turned into daily gambling spots for elderly men playing poker and mahjong with money on the line. Reporters spotted groups of 10 to 50 seniors gathering from morning till evening, setting up plastic tables and chairs hidden in bushes, despite warnings against unauthorised furniture storage. Local families report a tense atmosphere with alcohol, shouting matches in Chinese, and disputes over losses, prompting some to avoid the areas entirely or move children’s play indoors.
One Korean-Chinese participant compared the gatherings to everyday culture in China, where seniors pass time with cards in public spaces. Residents have complained to authorities about the takeover of family-friendly parks, noting that the first arrivals each day unpack the equipment for ongoing games. Police have received multiple reports of money-based betting, which remains illegal outside licensed casinos in South Korea.
Yeongdeungpo-gu officials have posted additional signs banning gambling and given a deadline for voluntary removal of items, threatening direct action and a possible police probe if violations persist. The situation highlights enforcement challenges in public spaces and concerns over balancing elderly social habits with community safety. Authorities face pressure to address these open-air activities without alienating seniors.
The park incidents coincide with alarming rises in youth gambling addiction nationwide. Government records show teen counselling cases doubling from 1,286 in 2020 to 2,665 by mid-2024, with over 66 per cent at severe “problem” levels and even elementary students seeking help. A 2025 Seoul police survey of students revealed 20.9 per cent had seen gambling, up from 10.1 per cent, and 2.1 per cent participated personally, mostly online but with offline exposure like parks potentially normalising the behaviour for children.
News Source: https://sigma.world/news/open-gambling-dens-addiction-surge-korea-reports/
(3) Near-miss Mark Six ticket goes viral, inspires new betting strategies after record jackpot
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Five fortunate players each claimed HK$42.18 million after splitting the largest jackpot in Mark Six history, a HK$210.9 million prize from the Year of the Horse Snowball draw. The winning numbers were 2, 18, 34, 35, 37, 49, with extra number 33.
While the winners celebrated, attention quickly shifted online to a computer-generated ticket that came heartbreakingly close. Posted on Threads, the ticket featured 3, 18, 33, 36, 38, and 48, matching only 18 and the special number 33, yet every other digit sat just one or two away from the jackpot line.
The screenshot went viral, drawing sympathy and humour. One user quipped that achieving such a precise near-miss was statistically rarer than winning outright. Others called it a cruel brush with Lady Luck, though many noted the numbers were randomly generated, not hand-picked.
The post triggered a wave of similar near-miss tales and betting advice. Commenters suggested strategies like selecting adjacent numbers to cover more ground or purchasing all 18 possible combinations around key digits to improve chances. The episode highlighted how even in defeat, lottery drama continues to captivate and inspire creative thinking among Hong Kong players.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/324961/Near-miss-Mark-Six-ticket-goes-viral-inspires-new-betting-strategies-after-record-jackpot
(4) Macau government renews casino operators’ currency exchange authorisations
(Photo Credit: FOCUS Asia Pacific)
Macau’s government has renewed permissions for three major casino operators, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, and SJM Holdings, to offer currency exchange services directly within their gaming properties. The chief executive’s order, published in the Official Gazette, activates these authorisations starting 24 February 2026, and allows operations at the operators’ own risk without additional regulatory burdens.
Galaxy Entertainment Group gains approval for StarWorld Casino, Galaxy Macau Casino, and Broadway Casino, expanding convenient financial services for international visitors at its key resorts. Melco Resorts & Entertainment secures rights across a broader network, including Studio City Casino, City of Dreams Casino, Altira Macau Casino, and various Mocha Club locations. SJM Holdings receives clearance for prominent sites like Lisboa Casino, Grand Lisboa Casino, Grand Lisboa Palace Casino, Oceanus Casino, and Casino L’Arc.
News Source: https://focusgn.com/asia-pacific/macau-government-allows-three-concessionaires-to-offer-currency-exchange-services
