Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 11 Week of 21 April 2025
(1) Gaming Powerhouse NOVOMATIC Teams Up with Harvest Gaming to Conquer Southeast Asian Markets
NOVOMATIC has partnered with Harvest Gaming to expand its reach in Southeast Asia.
(2) Cambodia’s Chinese casino city bets big on Beijing
Sihanoukville, Cambodia, is rapidly becoming a major gambling destination due to significant Chinese investment.
(3) Thai casino bill stalls as opposition mounts
Thailand’s casino bill faces delays and strong opposition, prompting the government to pause its progress while gathering public feedback and conducting further study.
(4) Casino provider LT Game cuts off US after tariff fiasco
LT Game has halted shipments to the US due to high tariffs from the trade war, opting instead to focus on expanding in the Asian and European markets.
(1) Gaming Powerhouse NOVOMATIC Teams Up with Harvest Gaming to Conquer Southeast Asian Markets
(Photo Credit: Insidebitcoins)
NOVOMATIC has partnered with Harvest Gaming to enhance its presence in Southeast Asia, focusing on markets in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. This collaboration will allow Harvest Gaming to distribute NOVOMATIC’s gaming products, tapping into the region’s growth potential and aligning with NOVOMATIC’s strategy for international expansion through local partnerships.
Since its founding in 1980 by Johann Graf, NOVOMATIC has grown into a global leader in gaming technology, operating around 2,100 facilities in 50 countries. The company reported revenues of €2.86 billion in 2022, driven by significant growth in both its Gaming Operations and Gaming Technology segments, supported by strategic acquisitions like Greentube.
As the Southeast Asian gaming market rebounds post-pandemic, this partnership positions NOVOMATIC to better serve local casino operators. Harvest Gaming’s regional expertise is seen as vital for navigating regulatory challenges, allowing NOVOMATIC to provide tailored gaming solutions that meet the increasing demand for premium entertainment experiences in the area.
News Source: https://insidebitcoins.com/news/gaming-powerhouse-novomatic-teams-up-with-harvest-gaming-to-conquer-southeast-asian-markets
(2) Cambodia’s Chinese casino city bets big on Beijing
(Photo Credit: AFP pic)
Cambodia’s Sihanoukville has transformed into a major gambling destination due to significant Chinese investments. With many casinos opening to attract Chinese tourists, the city now features Mandarin signs and a growing number of visitors looking to gamble.
Local officials are optimistic about the economic benefits of this casino boom, but some worry that the rapid development could lead to empty buildings and a lack of genuine demand. There are concerns that Sihanoukville might become a “ghost city” if these projects don’t succeed.
As the gambling industry expands, there are risks associated with relying heavily on Chinese funding. While it brings in tourists and investment, experts caution that this dependence could lead to issues with debt and local control. Also, some scams targeting Chinese citizens have emerged, complicating the future of Sihanoukville as a gambling hub.
News Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2025/04/22/cambodias-chinese-casino-city-bets-big-on-beijing
(3) Thai casino bill stalls as opposition mounts
(Photo Credit: readwrite)
The future of Thailand’s casino bill is uncertain as the Pheu Thai-led government, major Thai political party, has decided to delay its progress through parliament due to significant opposition. Originally set for review by a special Senate committee, the bill has now been pushed to the next parliamentary session beginning on 2 July 2025. This decision follows open criticism from Chaichanok Chidchob, secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, which is part of the ruling coalition, raising concerns about potential divisions within the government.
Opposition to the casino bill is not limited to parliament; there are threats of protests from critics who fear the plan could harm the government’s image ahead of upcoming elections. While the government sees the legalisation of casinos as a way to boost Thailand’s struggling economy and attract foreign investment, many are worried about the lack of thorough research supporting the initiative and ethical implications of pushing it forward.
Despite the pushback, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra insists that the bill is not withdrawn but merely paused for further public feedback. A special Senate committee has been established to study the proposal, with a deadline of 180 days to complete their investigation, as the government aims to ensure transparency and public understanding of the project.
News Source: https://readwrite.com/thailand-casino-bill-stalls-opposition-mounts/
(4) Casino provider LT Game cuts off US after tariff fiasco
(Photo Credit: readwrite)
LT Game, a Macau-based gaming provider, has announced it will stop shipping its products to the US due to high tariffs resulting from the ongoing trade war between China and America. Currently, tariffs on Chinese goods can reach as high as 145%, making it too costly for the company to sell its machines in the US market. This decision was made on 15 April 2025, as LT Game also increases its production of slot and table games.
Instead of focusing on the US, LT Game plans to expand its presence in Asia and Europe, where demand for gaming products remains strong. Jay Chun, the company’s chairman, highlighted that the Philippines is currently the largest market in Asia, with other countries like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Cambodia also experiencing rapid growth. The company aims to target these markets more aggressively while maintaining a small presence in the US.
Chun stated that, while the US market accounts for a limited portion of their sales, the high tariffs make it impractical to compete there at the moment. He believes that if tariffs are lifted within the next few months, LT Game may reconsider entering the North American market again. For now, the company will focus on its Asian operations, where it sees significant opportunities for growth.
News Source: https://readwrite.com/casino-provider-lt-game-cuts-off-us-after-tariff-fiasco/#:~:text=LT%20Game%2C%20the%20Macau%2Dbased,at%20a%20maximum%20of%20145%25.
