Asia
Japan Minister Says Interest of Foreign Companies Shows Japan’s IRs will be Profitable

Kazuyoshi Akaba, Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, has rejected suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic may render the nation’s IR industry untenable, insisting operators would not submit applications if they did not think IRs would be profitable.
Answering questions over the feasibility of IRs from the Constitutional Democratic Party’s Hiroyuki Moriyama during a House of Representatives budget committee meeting on March 1, Kazuyoshi Akaba said, “The operator will apply as a partner with the local government. If it is decided that there will be no profit at that point, they will [probably] not apply. They will only apply once they have made a full and thorough risk assessment. After that, the government will assess the application.
“Revenue for Japanese travel agents has dropped significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and as the IR opening will be in the latter part of the decade, it is difficult to assess the impact. However, I believe the specific risks will be analyzed and then they will make a decision whether to apply or not.”
Akaba also rejected suggestions that IRs would result in Japanese assets being sold to foreign companies for a “quick profit.”
“We are considering not only foreign companies but also domestic companies,” Akaba said. “30% of casino revenue will be paid to national and local governments along with a corporate tax.”
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Asia
Thailand: Requirement of B50M in Account for Casino Entry Removed

The Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill has been amended, removing the requirement that Thais must show they have at least 50 million in a fixed deposit before being allowed into the planned casino-entertainment complex.
It has been replaced by the need to have filed three-years of income tax returns.
The requirement is in Section 65 of the draft Entertainment Complex Bill, which has been under scrutiny by the Council of State, the government’s legal advisory body.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Pichai Chunhavajira said the draft had now been reviewed by the council and revisions proposed to meet its objectives, including listening to feedback from the public.
The revised draft legislation had been signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnivirakul and sent to the cabinet secretariat on Feb 28, but it would not be on this week’s cabinet agenda, Mr Pichai said.
The process prior to submitting the bill to the cabinet would take about two weeks, he said.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that the 50 million baht requirement for casino entry had been removed and replaced by the requirement that Thais must have submitted three-years of tax returns.
The casino entrance fee remained at 5000 baht, he said.
“The Ministry has checked the data and found there are only 10,000 Thai accounts with at least 50 million baht. So, the former requirement would push people to gamble elsewhere, which could be illegal. This amendment has been agreed on by the ministry and the Council of State,” Mr Julapun said.
He said the draft bill would be submitted to the cabinet for approval as soon as possible. He expected this would be during the current parliamentary session.
On Monday, representatives of several protest groups – the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, the Centre of People for the Protection of the Monarchy, and the Dharma Army – gathered near government house in Bangkok.
They submitted a letter to the prime minister opposing passage of the legislation. They argued that it would be harmful to the people, the country and the principles of all religions.
The post Thailand: Requirement of B50M in Account for Casino Entry Removed appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Scientific Games India Recognized as One of Jombay’s 2025 WOW Workplaces

Scientific Games has been named one of Jombay’s WOW Workplaces of 2025 in the Information Technology, Information Technology Enabled Services and Global Capability Center category at its Bangalore, India, location. This prestigious accolade reaffirms the company’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and inclusivity. The award highlights the global lottery leader’s dedication to providing an exceptional environment where employees thrive personally and professionally.
The WOW Workplace Awards are an annual listing of organizations with the most WOW reviews. The award substantiates how “great,” “best” or “exceptional” a company is through testimonials and feedback across the web (including employee review websites) using Jombay’s AI engine.
Pat McHugh, CEO of Scientific Games, said, “Being recognized as one of Jombay’s WOW Workplaces is an incredible honor and a true reflection of the remarkable culture our team in India has built. Our India team’s relentless dedication to innovation and excellence is inspiring and helps fuel our success with employees and customers worldwide.”
Scientific Games’ Bangalore operations, established in 2015, recently expanded to a new, state-of-the-art facility, underscoring the company’s growth and investment in its workforce. The center is a hub for research and development, software innovation, quality assurance and technology operations, contributing significantly to the company’s global mission.
Mahesh Nanjundappa, Managing Director of Scientific Games India, added, “This recognition is a testament to our employees’ hard work, creativity and commitment to making Scientific Games a fantastic workplace. At the heart of our success is the inspiring environment we’ve cultivated where every team member feels valued and empowered to achieve their best.”
Scientific Games operates across five continents, delivering a comprehensive range of retail and digital lottery solutions and lottery sports betting products and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries.
The post Scientific Games India Recognized as One of Jombay’s 2025 WOW Workplaces appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Tencent Cloud Recognised as a Leader in Omdia Market Radar for Games in Asia & Oceania, Solidifying its Position as a Global Gaming Industry Innovator

Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global leading technology company Tencent, has been named as a leader among cloud platforms for games in the latest report by Omdia, a premier technology research and advisory firm. The report highlights Tencent Cloud’s exceptional capabilities in supporting the gaming industry, showcasing its cutting-edge infrastructure and innovative, gaming-specific solutions, which solidify its position as an innovator in the global gaming sector.
According to the “Omdia Market Radar: Cloud Platforms for Games, Asia & Oceania – 2025,” Tencent Cloud is the top cloud platform for game developers in China – one of the largest and fastest-growing markets globally. It is also expanding its influence internationally, establishing a significant presence in Asia and Oceania, where it is positioned as one of the leading cloud service providers and is the only Asian vendor in the leader quadrant. As China’s largest gaming company, Tencent’s scale is reflected in its deep expertise and sustained focus in the gaming sector, with a sustained focus on gaming, which drives the development of its cloud platform. This emphasis is evident in Tencent Cloud’s robust suite of tools for game developers, including game servers, multiplayer services, and LiveOps. The platform’s offerings reflect the advanced adoption of live service business models in the Chinese market, distinguishing Tencent Cloud as a leader in the industry.
Poshu Yeung, Senior Vice President of Tencent Cloud International, said: “It is an honor for us at Tencent Cloud to be recognized as a leader in the Omdia Market Radar. This acknowledgment is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in supporting the gaming industry. As the demand for cloud-based gaming solutions continues to grow, Tencent Cloud becomes even more well positioned to drive innovation and deliver greater value to developers and players all over the world.”
The post Tencent Cloud Recognised as a Leader in Omdia Market Radar for Games in Asia & Oceania, Solidifying its Position as a Global Gaming Industry Innovator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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