Your Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Hidden harms in foreigner-only casino policies

Good Morning. In today's AGB podcast, we speak to Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) who shares his views on foreigner-only casino policies and the risks they carry in relation to problem gambling. We look at some of the models deployed across Asia, including Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam, as well as the latest thinking around the subject in Japan. 

What you need to know

• SJM Holdings’ credit rating has been downgraded by Fitch Ratings due to delays in obtaining a new HK$19 billion loan to refinance debt and weaker-than-expected liquidity management.
• Macau GGR in the week through to Feb. 20 was down a larger-than-expected 57 percent from the prior week due to seasonality post Chinese New Year and Covid restrictions: Bernstein.
• Playtech’s chief executive Mor Weizer is throwing his weight behind a takeover bid from an Hong Kong-based investor group vying for control of the online gambling company.

On the radar

• Nepal casino royalty arrears stand at Rs1.11b, collections at Rs810m.
• Saipan regulator denied right to additional reply in license review case.
• Macau 4Q21 visitor spending up 7.4%, though overnight visitors spent less.
• Macau police conducted unannounced VIP room inspections last week

What the papers say

• Genting H.K. collapse sinks company’s cruise plans in the Philippines.
• Senate to investigate disappearances tied to cockfighting.

AGB Intelligence

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Keith Whyte on the hidden harm of foreigner-only casino policies

Industry Updates

• PAGCOR expands evacuation center MOP50m funding for town of Victoria.
• Spintec teams with Platinum Entertainment across four Asian markets.

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