admin

The Ministry of Finance recently announced a number of approval opinions on instant lottery games, approving the printing and issuance of a number of sports lottery and welfare lottery instant lottery games. Among them, some new tickets will be officially launched in July. An industry insider said, “With a batch of new tickets on the market, people will have more choices when purchasing instant tickets.” What is the specific situation? The

Sports Lottery Center of the General Administration of Sport of China stated that according to the Ministry of Finance’s “Approval Opinion on the “Cheer for China’s Power 2024″ Instant Sports Lottery Game”, it is agreed that the Sports Lottery Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China (hereinafter referred to as the National Sports Lottery Center) will print and issue the “Cheer for China’s Power 2024” instant sports lottery game. The Sports Lottery Center of the General Administration of Sport of China will launch the instant sports lottery “Cheer for China’s Power 2024” in July 2024. The theme of the game is sports, including 1 denomination of 20 yuan and 5 ticket designs. The ticket size is 100mm×200mm;

at the same time, the Ministry of Finance’s “Opinions on the Approval of 14 Instant Welfare Lottery Games Including “Red Rhythm China”” shows that it agrees to the China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Management Center (hereinafter referred to as the China Welfare Lottery Center) to print and issue 14 instant welfare lottery games including “Red Rhythm China”. Before the 14 instant welfare lottery games are put on the market, the China Welfare Lottery Center should promptly issue an announcement to the public, and indicate the name, number, date of listing and sale of the document approved by the Ministry of Finance in the announcement, as well as the “Rules of 14 Instant Welfare Lottery Games Including “Red Rhythm China””. At present, according to the official announcement of the Welfare Lottery, four instant welfare lottery games, “Fumanduo 10 yuan”, “Fumanduo 50 yuan”, Golden Treasure Box (20 yuan) and Chasing Dreams Climbing (20 yuan), will be put on the market in July 2024.

The 14 instant lottery tickets approved by the Ministry of Finance for issuance this time include: Red Rhythm China (20 yuan), 666 (10 yuan), Chasing Dreams (20 yuan), Golden Treasure Box (20 yuan), Three Mountains and Five Peaks (20 yuan), Happy Tibet (20 yuan), Bridges of the World (20 yuan), Jade Stream (20 yuan), Love of Mountains and Seas·Nervous Heaven and Earth (20 yuan), Prosperous China (50 yuan), Fumanduo (10 yuan), Fumanduo (20 yuan), Fumanduo (30 yuan), Fumanduo (50 yuan). For the above game rules and prize setting schemes, please check the Ministry of Finance’s official website.

Instant lottery tickets are an important game type in the lottery market of various countries. In the past two years, this lottery game has also performed well in China’s lottery market – instant lottery tickets, which are simple to play and easy to redeem, are very attractive to novices and young lottery buyers. At the same time, with the diversification of lottery buyers, it is no longer just a scratch-off game, and more product values ​​have also received market attention, including gifts, prizes, and even as a marketing tool to promote operations in other fields. This type of lottery is gradually showing important potential in “optimizing the structure of lottery buyers” and “diversifying the value of lottery products.”

According to data from the Ministry of Finance, in 2023, the cumulative sales of instant lottery tickets in China reached 119.021 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 100.2%. From January to May this year, the national sales of instant lottery tickets reached 55.715 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 38.6%. However, under this, the current phenomenon of “insufficient inventory of instant tickets in some lottery outlets” has continued to attract high attention from domestic lottery buyers and distributors this year.

In this regard, the Ministry of Finance stated that the China Welfare Lottery Center and the Sports Lottery Center of the General Administration should earnestly fulfill the main responsibilities of lottery issuing institutions, strictly abide by relevant regulations such as government procurement, coordinate and connect the work links of game approval, budget compilation, fund management, printing logistics, listing and sales, and stop sales, and guide lottery sales institutions to save costs, improve efficiency, and standardize operations. We must scientifically assess and assess various potential risks, effectively strengthen risk management and control, promptly handle and resolve risks, and ensure the continued healthy development of instant lottery products.-MK Sports

Fast-growing Dutch game developer Stakelogic BV has announced a definitive agreement with Japanese entertainment group SEGA SAMMY HOLDINGS INC. to acquire the company through its wholly owned subsidiary SEGA SAMMY CREATION INC. The transaction has an upfront enterprise value of €130 million and includes earn-out payments upon achievement of certain performance targets.

Here are the key points of the agreement.

✅ SEGA SAMMY acquires Stakelogic for 130 million euros in advance
✅ Profit payments depend on Stakelogic meeting performance targets.
✅ Combine Stakelogic’s product portfolio with SEGA SAMMY’s distribution platform.
✅ Stephan van den Oetelaar will lead the company after the acquisition.
✅ The growth of the regulated iGaming market will enhance the prospects of both companies.
✅ SEGA SAMMY will establish a strong presence in North America
✅ Stakelogic’s rapid content development gives SEGA SAMMY a competitive advantage
✅ The acquisition will include integrated resorts and gaming machines.
The acquisition will combine Stakelogic’s broad portfolio of popular online slot games, live casino studio capabilities and innovative hybrid game products with SEGA SAMMY’s global distribution platform. This strategic move aims to leverage the strengths of both companies to accelerate growth and innovation in the iGaming sector.

Acquisitions will drive iGaming expansion

Stakelogic CEO Stephan van den Oetelaar will continue to lead the company following the acquisition. He expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying: “Sega Sammy and Stakelogic share the same passion for online entertainment, innovation and technology. Partnering with Sega Sammy, Stakelogic will be able to grow its international business faster. The regulated iGaming market is set to double in size over the next few years. As part of Sega Sammy, we will have the execution capabilities to become one of the leading companies in the iGaming B2B industry.”

Koichi Fukazawa, Senior Executive Vice President and Group CFO of SEGA SAMMY, echoed this sentiment and stressed the strategic importance of the acquisition. “The SEGA SAMMY Group aims to become a creative B2B solutions provider based on innovative technologies, especially in the North American online gaming market. I am pleased to announce our alliance with Stakelogic, an innovative and leading content provider for the Dutch gaming market, as a key part of executing this strategy. We believe that Stakelogic’s ability to quickly develop and deliver unique, high-quality gaming content will make a significant contribution to the implementation of our strategy and create excellent synergies by combining the strengths of our Group”

Market Impact and Future Outlook

The acquisition is expected to have a significant impact on the iGaming market, especially in North America, where Sega SAMMY aims to establish a strong presence. The U.S. online gaming market (including sports betting and iGaming) is valued at approximately $12 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $27.1 billion by 2027. This growth is driven by the legalization of online gaming platforms and increasing consumer adoption.

Stakelogic’s innovative approach and rapid content development capabilities are expected to enhance Sega SAMMY’s competitive advantage in this emerging market. The acquisition is in line with Sega SAMMY’s mid-term plan to expand its gaming business, which includes the development and operation of integrated resorts and gaming consoles.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals in relevant jurisdictions and other customary conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.

In summary, SEGA SAMMY’s acquisition of StakeLogic is a strategic move to capitalize on the growing iGaming market. By combining the strengths of both parties, the two companies are expected to drive innovation and growth to become leaders in the global online gaming industry.-MK Sports

Big Brazil, owner of the famous Caesars Sportsbook brand in Brazil, is working towards a federal license to operate sports betting and online gaming in the country. The move places Big Brazil among a growing number of companies seeking federal licenses through the Ministry of Finance’s Gaming Management System (Sigap). The listing indicates that Big Brazil has met all the prerequisites for seeking authorization to operate in Brazil’s thriving sports betting and iGaming market.

As a member of the National Association of Gaming and Lotteries (ANJL), Big Brazil embodies the commitment of companies that already operate legally in Brazil. These companies are undergoing formalization, complying with the rules set by the Secretariat of Bonuses and Betting (SPA). Big Brazil is one of five operators that currently have applications listed on Sigap.

ANJL president Plínio Lemos Jorge noted that many gaming companies have initiated applications for federal licenses. However, these processes are still ongoing. To be listed on Sigap, gaming companies must submit a large number of documents and meet comprehensive requirements required by the regulator. Therefore, although many companies have initiated the process, they have not yet appeared in the system.

According to SPA/MF Regulation 827, which governs the authorization application process, the analysis of the application may take up to 180 days. However, companies that applied before August 20 this year can receive a response from the Ministry of Finance by the end of the year. The industry remains optimistic that many operators will complete their applications before this deadline.

Big Brazil’s Proof of Concept

In order to obtain a federal license, Big Brazil has conducted a proof of concept (PoC) to operate sports betting and online gaming in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The company is awaiting the results of the evaluation in order to continue the certification process with Loterj and represents the global casino industry giant headquartered in Las Vegas, USA.

André Feldman, CEO of Big Brazil, expressed his excitement about the approval of BiG Brazil/Caesars in the PoC of its platform. The company plans to launch the Caesars Sportsbook brand in the country, starting with Rio de Janeiro. With a population of more than 16 million, Rio de Janeiro has more potential than several European countries of similar population size.

The National Association of Gaming and Lotteries was established in March 2023 to advocate for its members, the industry, and responsible and honest gaming. It promotes sports, betting safety and contributes to the country’s economic development. Partners include galera.bet/Playtech, Big Brazil, F12, PagBet, Betnacional, Mr. Jack, Parimatch, BetFast, Aposta Ganha, Liderança Capitalização, Zro. Bank, Propane, Paag, Clear Sale, BetBox tv, StarsPay and WEpayments.-MK Sports

Thailand’s legalized casino market could eventually generate $15.1 billion in gross gaming revenue annually in the long term, making it the world’s third-largest gaming market, according to an in-depth study by brokerage CLSA.

The study, conducted by analysts Jeffrey Kiang, Naphat Chantaraserekul and Leo Pan, sees an increase in visitors from China and India, as well as the government’s tolerance of the number of table games and slot machines, as positives for the Thai gaming market.

The study is based on an estimated 39 million visitors to the Southeast Asian country each year – expected to reach 35.5 million this year – who spend an average of $386 per person per year, roughly comparable to Singapore.

“Comparing these figures to other markets, Thailand would be the third largest gaming market based on 2023 levels,” CLSA said. “We view Singapore as a good comparison for Thailand given the similarities in terms of location, visitor mix and overall attractiveness as a destination.”

The agency also sees strong returns on investment, predicting that Thailand’s business-friendly environment, relatively low 17% gaming tax rate and uncapped table games will enable it to achieve EBITDA margins of 40% or more when fully operational – in line with margins observed at Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. CLSA said this represents $2.1 billion in gross gaming revenue and $805 million in EBITDA per year for each integrated resort, or a 23.9% return on investment, with a payback period of about four years when fully operational.

CLSA analysts said the Thai government’s efforts to improve tourism infrastructure will pay off in the long term as it will enhance its appeal to key tourism markets such as China and India. Travel penetration in these source markets is currently 0.1% to 0.2%.

Despite this, CLSA does not believe Thai casinos pose a real threat to Macau’s global gaming dominance.

“Macau is likely to remain resilient given its proximity to China and much shorter stays than Thailand (different travel purposes). The key issue for Macau remains a lack of new land and hotel supply rather than a lack of demand,” the brokerage noted.

“While Chinese tourists are likely to be the primary source of Thailand’s post-pandemic tourism rebound, we see significant differences between Macau and Thailand tourism, which will ensure the resilience of Macau’s gaming sector.”-MK Sports

The UAE federal regulator recently launched its official website and named its first lottery licensee. The move is seen as a “potential emotional turning point” for investors who are watching the process of legalizing commercial gambling in the UAE.

The website of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in the United Arab Emirates lists a large amount of information such as license types and regulatory agency profiles. In addition, The Game LLC, the first operator to obtain a lottery license in the UAE, was also announced. The subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Momentum will operate as the Emirates Lottery.

Research house CBRE said in a report on Monday that the website launch itself was a “key marker and potential emotional turning point” that represents a major step forward in the UAE’s regulatory process. Analyst John DeCree said the move adds “legitimacy and transparency to the process” and should “further alleviate the investment community’s concerns about legalized commercial gambling in the UAE.”

As previously reported by the media, GCGRA was established in September 2023 to introduce a regulatory framework for commercial gambling and national lotteries. It is chaired by former MGM CEO Jim Murren and former executive director of the Missouri Gaming Commission Jim Mullaly as CEO.

DeCree pointed out that GCGRA’s website provides some clues about the possible regulatory framework in the UAE, including that the license may be permanent as long as the operator complies with regulations.

“While there appears to be an initial term and license expiration date, the license renewal process appears to be more administrative,” he wrote.

“This would make the UAE’s licensing environment more similar to Nevada than to Macau . and Singapore’s exclusive model, we believe public investors are likely to assign higher valuation multiples to UAE commercial gaming operations relative to jurisdictions where renewal procedures are less predictable or competitive. “

The UAE remains the next gaming frontier. We continue to believe that the UAE offers one of the most attractive gaming opportunities in the world today. GCGRA is comprised of well-established and experienced gaming industry veterans who have been rapidly developing industry-leading regulations.” , these rules have now become visible. The progressive thoroughness and depth of the licensing process will be welcomed by the investment community, which has been seeking transparency on global gaming expansion opportunities.”

Wynn Resorts is preparing to open its first in the UAE. Licensed Casino, has begun construction on a $4 billion integrated resort on the man-made Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.-MK Sports

Xia Baolong, Director of the Central Office for Hong Kong and Macao Affairs and Director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, concluded his seven-day inspection and research trip in Macao and the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone on Sunday (19th). On the same day, Macau Chief Executive He Yicheng met with the media at the government headquarters to summarize Xia Baolong’s inspection trip to Macao. He Yicheng said that during the inspection and research, Director Xia profoundly pointed out the six advantages of Macao: it has the greatest institutional advantage of “one country, two systems”; it has the advantage of sufficient development space; it has the advantage of a highly internationalized business environment; it has the advantage of a strong economic foundation; it has the advantage of a humanistic blend of Chinese and Western cultures; it has the advantage of traditional feelings of patriotism and love for Macao. He stressed that we must work together to make Macao’s international metropolis “golden business card” shine brighter. This is an affirmation and encouragement for the Macao Special Administrative Region, and it is also an expectation for the future development of the Macao Special Administrative Region. He Yicheng emphasized that the Macao government must promote the development of the six advantages in accordance with Director Xia’s instructions.

He Yicheng also mentioned that Macau has reversed the situation of the gaming industry being the only industry, from the previous highest gaming industry accounting for about 63% of GDP to about 36.2% of Macau’s GDP last year, with the rest being non-gaming elements. He Yicheng also pointed out that he hopes to keep the gaming industry’s share below 40% and continue to develop in the direction of moderate economic diversification.

In addition, this year is the year of the Macau government’s change of term. He Yicheng said that Director Xia’s visit is an assessment of the current government, and he supports the government’s work and makes suggestions on the shortcomings, but did not talk about the change of term. As for what are the shortcomings? He Yicheng described that any improvement in the work of any government is on the way, and there are many areas that need to be improved. For example, citizens are dissatisfied with the traffic, the roads are narrow and the traffic is very congested. The government knows that there are problems, and I believe that Director Xia will “see, hear, and someone will reflect to him” in Macau. Therefore, the government’s work will be adjusted and corrected in accordance with the development, and the administrative management will be done as much as possible.

With the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone starting in March this year, the split-line management model of “first-line” liberalization and “second-line” control has been implemented. He Yicheng said that the central government has no intention to physically hand over the 106 square kilometers of Hengqin to Macau, but Hengqin has been handed over to Macau in terms of concept, use and direction. He Yicheng also said that in the future, tourism cooperation will definitely be carried out with Hong Kong, Guangdong Province and other cities in the Mainland. He said that the overall plan for the 14th Five-Year Plan clearly defines Macau as a world tourism and leisure center. Macau will follow the relevant directions and indicators, and the relevant planning of the Greater Bay Area also clarifies Macau’s positioning and how to match mainland cities.-MK Sports

(Dubai Comprehensive News) The United Arab Emirates has established a “commercial gambling” regulator and hired an industry insider from the US gaming industry to lead the agency. The UAE bans gambling, and this move is seen as a possible “green light” to allow the issuance of casino licenses in the future.

The agency, called the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), will coordinate regulatory activities, manage the issuance of licenses, and promote the economic potential of commercial gaming, according to the official UAE news agency. The statement did not specify whether “gambling” refers to gambling, nor did it mention casinos, but the senior officials hired to manage the agency are veterans of the gaming industry.

Hire a gaming industry veteran to manage the organization

GCGRA president Kevin Mulally, who previously served as director general of the Missouri Gaming Commission, which regulates riverboat casinos in various US states, said he looks forward to establishing a strong regulatory body and framework for the UAE’s lottery and gaming industry.

According to Mulally’s profile on LinkedIn, he has worked for Gaming Laboratories International in the United States for more than 17 years. The company provides testing and evaluation services for physical casinos, lotteries and online gambling.

James Murren, chairman of the GCGRA board of directors, previously served as chairman of the American Gaming Association, which represents the U.S. casino industry. According to his LinkedIn profile, Murren served as chairman and president of MGM Resorts International from 2008 to 2020.

Gambling is banned under Islamic law in the UAE

Gambling is prohibited under Islamic law in the United Arab Emirates, a country where foreigners make up 90 percent of the population.

It is not unfounded that the UAE will allow casinos. In 2022, the US casino operator Wynn Resorts announced that it would invest US$3.9 billion (about S$5.3 billion) to build an integrated resort including gaming facilities in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. They have started preliminary construction on Wynn Al Marjan Island and plan to open it in early 2027. Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven emirates in the UAE.

For years, UAE authorities have denied they would lift their gambling ban. But facing growing regional competition for talent and tourism, particularly from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, it has taken a series of liberalisation steps, including lifting a ban on unmarried couples living together, easing restrictions on alcohol and offering long-term residency.

Last year, the UAE followed Western countries and set Saturday to Sunday as the weekend. Experts believe that this is to maintain a competitive advantage. The UAE is currently a hub for trade, tourism and finance in the Gulf region.-MK Sports APP

(Bangkok Comprehensive News) Thai Prime Minister Suthep publicly expressed his support for the legalization of casinos, saying that this would create more jobs and better regulate the gambling industry. The bill is likely to be passed during the current government’s term.

He is also the Minister of Finance. He pointed out on social media X on Friday (March 29) that the legalization of casinos will help regulate gambling, which is currently part of the gray economy, and the government will also be able to collect taxes from it.

“We are not promoting gambling, but we are monitoring it and creating jobs with this investment,” he said.

Casinos are currently illegal in Thailand, and the only legal gambling activities are horse racing and betting, which are controlled by the state. However, illegal gambling, football betting, underground casinos and other activities are quite common.

The Bangkok Post reported that the Thai Parliament passed a report drafted by a special committee on Thursday (28th), which mainly explored the economic value and potential problems of legalizing casinos.

The report proposes that integrated entertainment venues with casinos will employ locals once they are opened, and that laws will ensure that local communities are employed. The report also proposes a gaming and gambling tax.

Although it does not specify how many such integrated entertainment venues should be opened, the report recommends that integrated entertainment venues should be opened within 100 kilometers of the airport.

Gambling industry players believe that legalizing casinos will attract more tourists to Thailand and could create strong competition for Macau.-MK Sports

Macau’s gaming revenue jumped 29.7% in May from a year earlier, reaching its highest level since the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Bloomberg and Hong Kong 01, the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau announced on Saturday (June 1) that Macau’s total gaming revenue in May was 20.2 billion patacas (MOP, the same below, 3.4 billion SGD), a year-on-year increase of 29.7%. This is in line with analysts’ estimates of a 30% increase.

The data also showed that Macau’s gaming revenue in the first five months of this year reached 96.059 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 47.9%.

During the May Day Golden Week holiday in mainland China, the average daily number of tourists in Macau increased by 23.2% year-on-year, recovering to 76% of 2019. At the same time, the new measures implemented in May facilitate mainland residents to visit Macau for business, exhibitions, medical treatment or performing arts, and also allow them to travel back and forth between Macau and the mainland multiple times through the Hengqin Port in a “group in and out” manner. It is generally believed that this new measure will promote the growth of the number of mainland tourists visiting Macau.

China allows residents of more mainland cities to apply for individual travel permits to Macau, which shows that the Chinese government provides favorable policy support for Macau’s tourism industry, JPMorgan analysts said in a report.

Citigroup analysts said in a report that according to casino operators, wealthier travelers are still willing to demonstrate their willingness and ability to spend in Macau.

Bloomberg’s index of Macau casino operators rose 4.57 percent in May, while the benchmark Hang Seng Index gained 1.78 percent.-MK Sports

(Manila Comprehensive News) The Philippine Immigration Bureau issued an expulsion order on Wednesday, requiring all foreign employees of offshore gaming operators to leave the country within two months.

Philippine Immigration Bureau Director General Tancinco said in a statement on Wednesday (July 24) that foreign employees of offshore gaming operators must leave the Philippines within 59 days. It is expected that about 20,000 people will be affected, most of whom are Chinese. According to Tancinco, foreign employees who overstay will be directly repatriated.

In his State of the Nation Address to Congress on Monday, Philippine President Marcos Jr. said these offshore gaming companies, which are mainly run by Chinese, are suspected of financial fraud, money laundering, human trafficking, torture, kidnapping and murder, so he decided to impose a complete ban and ordered regulators to end the entire industry this year.

.After former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in 2016, he relaxed gambling regulations and legalized online gambling, which led to the rapid development of the offshore gambling industry. Since gambling is strictly prohibited in China, gaming operators took advantage of the Philippines’ relaxed gaming laws and targeted Chinese people.

In just a few years, the industry has created countless jobs and billions of dollars in revenue. At its peak, there were about 300 offshore gaming operators in the Philippines, but the coronavirus pandemic and stricter tax rules have forced many of them to relocate or go underground.

Data from the Philippine gaming regulator showed that there are currently 42 offshore gaming operators in the Philippines, directly and indirectly employing about 40,000 Filipinos and nearly 23,000 foreigners as of the end of last year.

In May this year, Alice Guo, a 38-year-old Chinese mayor of Tarlac Province in central Luzon, was summoned by the Senate for questioning on suspicion of money laundering through online gaming companies, and her 90 bank accounts involved in illegal activities were frozen. However, Alice Guo was absent from the hearing and her whereabouts are still unknown.-MK Sports