Your Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: UAE Gaming Legalization: A Game-Changer for Asia’s Gaming Expansion

Good Morning. The next big market. All eyes are now on the UAE, as its move to establish a gambling oversight body bodes extremely well for casino interests within the region, with Wynn being one of the first movers. A scholar points out that the opening-up bears the hallmarks of Singapore, possibly bringing a new age to gaming in the region. In the Philippines, the PAGCOR chair says he welcomes an investigation into graft charges leveled against him, pushing for accountability. And in Macau, gaming crimes are on the rise since the territory opened back up again.

What you need to know

• Possible UAE gaming legalization a major development in Asian gaming expansion, bears a resemblance to Singapore’s opening up: scholar.
• PAGCOR chairman welcomes investigation into alleged graft charges, says the regulator aims for transparency and accountability. 
• Macau experienced a 110 percent surge in gaming-related crimes during the first half of 2023, with 422 reported cases.

On the radar

• PH with over 3.3 million foreign tourists, over one-fourth from Korea.
• AGEM Index up just 1.2 percent in August, led by Light & Wonder.
• Chinese OTA giant: domestic travel is soaring, int'l rebounds in 2Q23.

AGB Intelligence

NEW MARKETS

UAE's possible legalization is major change for Asia: scholar

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