Weekend Conversation Corner – August, 29

Welcome to the newest installment of our Focus Gaming News Weekend Conversation Corner, where we provide a brief overview of the week’s most important headlines that have captured global interest. We will be summarizing the key stories that have impacted the narrative, influenced decisions, and sparked conversations. Join us as we cut through the clutter and offer a condensed summary of the week’s significant developments, keeping you informed on what truly counts in our fast-changing world.

Stay informed, stay motivated, and keep gaming. Have a fantastic weekend!

Star Entertainment Group revenue continues to fall in full-year 2025

The Star Entertainment Group reported a 29.2% decrease in revenue for the full financial year 2025, amounting to AU$1.19bn. The company also experienced a net loss of AU$471.5m, with EBITDA negative at AU$77m. Gaming revenue was down 37%, with The Star Sydney and The Star Gold Coast both reporting significant revenue declines. The Star Brisbane also faced losses. CEO Steve McCann acknowledged the challenges and emphasized the need for support from stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future for the business. The company is in the process of offloading its stake in The Star Brisbane parent company. Despite the setbacks, efforts are being made to address regulatory reforms and secure funding to maintain operations and support employment in the tourism and entertainment sectors.

Australian PM still cautious on gambling ad ban

In a recent article, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia has expressed caution regarding calls for a federal ban on gambling advertising despite pressure from reform advocates and parliamentary inquiries. Albanese highlighted concerns that a ban could lead players to unregulated offshore operators, resulting in no revenue for the government. While measures like the BetStop national self-exclusion register and restrictions on credit card use for online wagering are in place, the government is leaning towards more moderate reforms, such as limiting the number of adverts per hour. Advocacy groups argue that partial measures are insufficient and that continued exposure to gambling advertising disproportionately harms children and vulnerable individuals. The government is expected to provide a full response later this year.

Sri Lanka hopes casinos can help boost tourism revenue to 10% of GDP

The Sri Lankan government anticipates increased revenue from regulating casino gambling to boost tourism to contribute 10% of GDP. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake aims to attract affluent visitors from India and China through high-end gaming, with the recent opening of the City of Dreams Colombo. A new regulatory framework has been approved to formalize and expand the gaming sector. The focus is on increasing tourist arrivals to 3 million this year, potentially raising revenues to US$5bn by 2024. The Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill raises taxes on gross gaming revenue and introduces a US$100 entry fee for Sri Lankan residents to balance growth with social responsibility. Sri Lanka aims to capture a share of outbound demand from India and China, supported by visa-free entry for both nationalities. City of Dreams is the largest private investment in Sri Lanka, offering luxury accommodations and facilities.

Analysts see strong Macau casino revenue for August and H2 2025

Analysts are optimistic about Macau’s gaming revenue, with predictions of a 12-15% year-on-year increase for the second half of the year. August is expected to see a significant boost, potentially surpassing July’s revenue and becoming the highest total since the pandemic began. Both VIP and mass market segments are showing growth, with VIP play recovering to 30% of pre-Covid levels and mass gaming exceeding 125%. The trend of double-digit revenue growth is expected to continue into 2026, supported by major summer events. Despite fierce competition and high operating costs, the industry is expected to perform strongly, with improving margins in the future. Summer attractions and events are driving strong visitation and spending, indicating a positive outlook for Macau’s gaming industry.

Major brands halt operations amid India’s ban on real-money online gambling

Summary:
Flutter Entertainment has withdrawn its Junglee Games subsidiary in response to the rapid approval of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 in India. The legislation defines real-money gaming and has led to several operators, including Dream11, shutting down their real-money gaming products. The move aims to address concerns over gambling addiction and inconsistent regulation. The sudden changes have sparked criticism from industry stakeholders, with companies expressing disappointment and emphasizing compliance with the law. The enforcement of the ban has also led to the closure of other real-money gaming operations in India. The government views the action as necessary to combat social evils associated with online gambling.

Macau gaming tax revenue up in first seven months of the year

The Financial Services Bureau reported that Macau collected $6.64bn in casino taxes from January to July, up 3.4% from the previous year. July saw gaming tax revenue of $1bn, slightly lower than June. The government revised its 2025 budget plan, lowering gaming tax revenue to $9.87bn due to a revised gaming revenue forecast. Under the new concessions, casinos pay 40% on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). Macau’s GGR in July was $2.73bn, the highest since the pandemic began. Cumulatively, GGR for the first seven months of 2025 was $17.4bn, up 6.46% year-on-year but still 19% below pre-pandemic levels.

Welcome to the newest installment of our Focus Gaming News Weekend Conversation Corner, where we provide a brief overview of the week’s most important headlines that have captured global interest….