Asia

MGM-Orix Consortium Could Benefit from Japan Election Results

Published

4 years ago

November 8, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The result of Japan’s general elections is positive news for the country’s IR industry and in particular for the chances of the MGM/Orix consortium in Osaka after surprise gains by the Ishin To Party.

The right-wing party almost quadrupled their seats from 11 to 41 making it the third-largest party in the country. In Ishin’s stronghold of Osaka, the party banished the LDP completely and cornered 14 of the 18 seats.

“In the IR space, if Osaka was already the firm favourite prior to the election, it is even more certain now that they will bring the license bacon home and Bill Hornbuckle can start heating up the grill in his backyard and invite his ORIX partners for an early celebration barbecue. The LDP will now need their friendly opposition ‘partner’ more than ever and will be eagerly serving the IR license to Governor Yoshimura in a sterling silver platter,” said industry executive Daniel Cheng, who has been closely following the IR license procedure in Japan.

Overall, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party returned to power, removing other potential political upsets to the licensing timetable.

“The road looks clear for the continuation in the ongoing six-month host bid submission window which will close on 30 April 2022 after which up to three cities and their associated development consortiums will be selected a few months after,” Cheng said.

For Nagasaki and Wakayama, it is more of the same as the aftermath of the election saw an unchanged ratio of ruling vs opposition legislative seats. In the capital, the ruling party lost some ground to the opposition but it is unlikely to prevent Governor Koike from making an IR bid if she so decides to.

Two IR hopefuls on the sidelines saw contrasting fortunes. The LDP lost ground in Fukuoka losing 3 seats when it previously held all 11 seats; conversely, the LDP gained ground in Aichi winning 3 more seats. That puts the latter in better stead should they throw the dice in the pot if less than three licenses are issued from the present bidding round.

“Hokkaido is the other big story in my view, namely Tomakomai City which was the de facto IR site for the prefecture but withdrew over a year ago,” Cheng said. “There are many anticipating a Hokkaido comeback in the IR race at some juncture whether 7 years later or sooner, circumstances permitting.

At the prefectural level, the election results were even-stevens where the LDP and the opposition started and ended with 6 seats each, but not in the same districts. Particularly, Hokkaido District 9 which encompasses Tomakomai City fell into the hands of main opposition political party, CDP. This was despite having both Prime Minister Kishida and former Prime Minister Abe campaigning in Tomakomai City last week to rally support for LDP incumbent, Manabu Horii.

This will add another headache for Tomakomai Mayor Iwakura in his crusade to bring an integrated resort into his town as the CDP is staunchly anti-IR.”

Asia

PG Soft revealed as Title Sponsor for Global Game Connect 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

pg-soft-revealed-as-title-sponsor-for-global-game-connect-2026

PG Soft, the world-class digital mobile games company, has been confirmed as the Title Sponsor of Global Game Connect 2026 (GGC), which will take place from 16–17 March 2026 at the prestigious Cinnamon Life venue in Sri Lanka.

Organised by HUIDU, Global Game Connect has quickly established itself as a key event within the iGaming industry. The conference brings together global leaders from across the sector, including platforms, operators, API integration providers, payment solution suppliers, and compliance specialists.

The sponsorship highlights PG Soft’s ongoing investment in emerging markets and its commitment to supporting the development of the industry at a regional level. With Sri Lanka identified as a strategic expansion market in 2026, the partnership strengthens the company’s brand presence while contributing to the continued growth of the country’s iGaming ecosystem.

As part of the agreement, PG Soft will receive prominent brand visibility throughout the event, including across promotional materials, exhibition entrance archway displays, and the registration area. The sponsorship also includes a comprehensive HUIDU advertising package, covering membership promotion, press exposure, and targeted digital marketing support.

Spanning two days, Global Game Connect 2026 will feature a forward-looking conference agenda covering a range of key industry topics. Discussions will explore emerging market trends, growth strategies, player data and analytics, regulatory compliance, as well as the evolving role of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence within modern gaming ecosystems.

A PG Soft spokesperson said:

“Global Game Connect 2026 provides an ideal platform to encourage meaningful discussions around innovation, regulation, and the future of the iGaming industry. Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly important as a regional iGaming hub, and we’re proud to support the event alongside HUIDU.”

The post PG Soft revealed as Title Sponsor for Global Game Connect 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

GodLike Esports’ gaming creator Sharkshe unveils upgraded gaming room powered by Red Bull

Published

2 days ago

March 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

godlike-esports’-gaming-creator-sharkshe-unveils-upgraded-gaming-room-powered-by-red-bull

GodLike Esports star Sharkshe has revealed her newly upgraded gaming room, created in partnership with Red Bull to deliver a premium streaming and content production setup.

Sharkshe, one of India’s leading female gaming creators, boasts over 500,000 YouTube subscribers and is known for her lifestyle content and livestreams featuring games like Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI).

The revamped room is designed to elevate both her streaming and content creation. It features moveable custom studio lights for flexible shooting angles, allowing Sharkshe to produce a variety of content without leaving her room.

Red Bull branding is integrated throughout the setup, including a Red Bull cooler, custom can holders, and a mesh wall for hanging memorabilia and personal items. The layout doubles as a fully functional content studio.

The upgraded space will now serve as Sharkshe’s central hub for livestreams, videos, and other creative content, enhancing the experience for her audience.

The post GodLike Esports’ gaming creator Sharkshe unveils upgraded gaming room powered by Red Bull appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Agilysys Inc

Winford Resort & Casino Manila Philippines Deploys Agilysys Hospitality Technology to Elevate Operations and Service

Published

2 days ago

March 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

winford-resort-&-casino-manila-philippines-deploys-agilysys-hospitality-technology-to-elevate-operations-and-service

Agilysys Inc., a leading global provider of hospitality technology solutions, announced that Winford Resort & Casino Manila Philippines, has deployed Agilysys InfoGenesis POS to centralize food and beverage operations across 11 venues and integrate in real time with their Total Rewards System (TRS).

Located in Manila’s historic San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park, the 22-story integrated resort features 128 rooms and suites, multiple dining outlets, premium entertainment facilities and a full casino operation. To support this high-volume environment, Winford transitioned from legacy POS systems requiring manual processes to a fully automated platform aligned with the technology standards of Newport World Resorts.

With InfoGenesis POS, dining transactions now connect directly real time to guest loyalty and reward data through seamless TRS integration, improving transaction speed, billing accuracy and operational efficiency while delivering a more streamlined experience for guests and staff.

Since the deployment, Winford staff have noted the intuitive nature of the new system. Key benefits identified during training and initial use include:

• Intuitive Workflows: The system is easy for staff to navigate, significantly reducing training time and minimizing order errors.

• Integrated Rewards: Real-time synchronization with TRS eliminates manual workarounds, allowing guests to earn and redeem rewards effortlessly across the property.

Arman Reyes, Assistant Director of IT at Winford Resort & Casino, said: “Agilysys InfoGenesis POS stood out as the ideal choice for Winford Manila because of its flexibility, seamless integration with our systems, and real-time data insights. We wanted to replace our legacy software with a truly modern solution that is intuitive for our team, scalable for our operations, and agile enough to consistently deliver exceptional guest experiences. InfoGenesis empowers us to achieve greater efficiency and mobility across our property, helping us serve our guests better every day.”

Tony Marshall, Vice President & Managing Director for Agilysys Asia Pacific, said: “We are proud that Winford Resort & Casino Manila chose Agilysys InfoGenesis POS to be the backbone of their dining and retail transactions. InfoGenesis is designed specifically for complex, high-volume environments like Winford, ensuring exceptional performance even during peak times. By integrating POS with the resort’s loyalty ecosystem, the property is now able to deliver a more seamless and rewarding guest experience. This partnership underscores our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and elevate the guest experience in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The implementation of InfoGenesis POS reinforces Winford Resort & Casino’s commitment to investing in best-in-class technology to maintain its position as a leading integrated resort destination and establishes a strong foundation for the future innovation and growth.

The post Winford Resort & Casino Manila Philippines Deploys Agilysys Hospitality Technology to Elevate Operations and Service appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.