Ainsworth Marks Milestone with Significant Installs at Premier South Korean Resorts

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The Thai government is exploring the possibility of restricting gambling areas within entertainment complexes to no more than 5% of the total project space. This proposal was revealed by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, who also chairs the House committee responsible for evaluating the potential establishment of casino resorts in the country.

Amornvivat noted that the allocation of space for gaming activities within these entertainment complexes would be determined based on input from various governmental entities involved in a project.

Last month, Thailand’s cabinet approved a report from the National Assembly committee that examined the feasibility of introducing casino resorts in the country. The Ministry of Finance was tasked with conducting a 30-day study to assess the viability of implementing such a policy.

Each proposed venue would require a minimum investment of THB100 billion ($2.75 billion), according to the committee report. Amornvivat recently requested a two-week extension for the study period to further evaluate the matter in collaboration with 16 other government agencies.

The special House committee’s study focused on three main areas. First, it examined the potential impacts of introducing entertainment complexes with casinos on various aspects of Thai society, including economics, politics, social dynamics and the environment.

Second, the committee analysed the business framework of integrated entertainment venues, exploring revenue generation mechanisms such as taxes, fees and licensing structures. It recommended the implementation of specific casino taxes and the establishment of a fund aimed at addressing the negative effects of gambling activities.

Last, the report highlighted the importance of conducting a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing entertainment venues and gambling laws in Thailand. This effort aims to update existing legislation or develop new laws that align with the evolving societal landscape.

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At Google I/O 2024, Google and SuperGaming showed how developers can empower over three billion Android devices with an unprecedented level of accessibility. The Project Gameface for Android showcase was also powered by SuperGaming’s upcoming made-in-India-for-the-world battle royale, Indus.

“We believe that with Project Gameface and Google AI, developers have the opportunity to bring gaming to everyone,” says Roby John, CEO and co-founder, SuperGaming. “We’re proud to partner with Google to showcase the fullest expression of accessible gaming through Indus at Google I/O 2024.”

Accessibility is crucial because it allows for games to be enjoyed by a wider range of players — regardless of their cognitive, physical, or sensory abilities. With Project Gameface, players can raise their eyebrows to click and drag, or open their mouth to move the cursor, making it possible for anyone to pursue gaming.

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today said the country’s Gross Gaming Revenues (GGR) in the first quarter of the year reached Php81.70 billion, an 18.54% increase from the Php68.92 billion in the same quarter last year.

The latest GGR is another new record, sustaining an upward trend for the local gaming industry since the post-pandemic recovery started in the last quarter of 2022.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the Electronic Games (E-Games) sector continues its record-breaking performance, bringing in Php22.5 billion or more than six times the 2023 first quarter revenues of Php3.5 billion.

“The E-Games revenue performance continues to exceed our projections, and this reflects how gaming technology and the proliferation of mobile devices is influencing not only our daily lives but our entertainment choices as well,” he said.

“With the way technology is constantly shaping our lives and the way we do business, and even the way we choose to be entertained, the future of gaming clearly lies in this sector,” Mr. Tengco added.

The PAGCOR chief said the state-run gaming agency’s improved regulatory policies and reduced fees also contributed to the success of the E-Games sector.

“We are confident that with our new regulatory policies, more gaming companies both here and abroad will continue to look at business and investment opportunities in the Philippine gaming industry,” he said.

The biggest contributor to the 1Q GGR is still the country’s licensed casinos which brought in Php49.7 billion, although it is lower than the PhpPhp54.15 billion year-on-year.

PAGCOR-operated casinos under the Casino Filipino brand brought in Php4.69 billion, also lower than the previous year’s Php5.13 billion, underscoring the challenge faced by the segment as more players continue to migrate to online platforms.

Bingo operations contributed Php4.81 billion to the GGR, also lower than the 2023 first quarter take of Php6.13 billion.

The country’s projected full year GGR is Php336 billion and the first quarter total is more than 24% of the target. Gaming revenues traditionally spike in the last quarter of the year.

The first quarter GGR for 2024 is however still higher than the previous record of Php80.12 billion set in the last quarter of 2023, when full-year GGR reached Php285.27 billion.