Asia
Sands China Launches Alipay Tap! in Macao

On Jan. 14, 2025, Sands China Ltd., Alipay and Macau Pass jointly introduced the Alipay Tap! service at Sands Resorts Macao. Utilising innovative payment interaction technology, the service will further enhance the payment experience of visitors in Macao and enable new digital business and marketing opportunities. It will also contribute to the city’s smart city development while supporting digital upgrades and connectivity within the Greater Bay Area.
Alipay Tap! is an innovative payment service introduced by Alipay in July 2024 in the Chinese mainland. Users can simply unlock their phones and tap the merchant’s payment device to complete the transaction, without opening the Alipay app. This solution has quickly become popular with both users and merchants and is currently available in over 100 cities and more than 1000 shopping malls and commercial districts in the Chinese mainland. In addition to payments, Alipay has also collaborated with partners to create over 50 Alipay Tap! digital industry solutions, such as “Tap to Order” and “Tap to Open Self-service Vending Machine”.
In this first phase, Sands China has rolled out Alipay Tap! across 300 merchants in its integrated resorts, including The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Londoner Macao and Sands Macao. It can be used for a variety of payments, such as hotel accommodation, dining, shopping and ticketing, providing customers with a convenient payment experience. Chinese mainland tourists using Alipay Tap! in Sands Resorts Macao can also enjoy multiple offers during the promotional period, including an exclusive coupon for the first transaction via Alipay Tap! in Macao and other cross-border travel promotions released.
Merchants can use one terminal to meet the payment needs of both tourists and local residents using mainstream e-wallets. A representative from a Sands Resorts Macao merchant shared, “As Chinese mainland tourists are generally familiar with Alipay Tap!, combined with various recent promotional offers, the number of Alipay Tap! transactions has significantly increased since its launch, greatly enhancing operational efficiency”.
Jiajia Li, Vice President of Alipay, Ant Group, said: “Macao has unique geographic advantages, providing an ideal environment for the introduction of innovative technologies. Alipay and Alipay+’s cross-border services have already covered nearly 90% of merchants in Macao. The successful introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao will further enhance the convenience of payments for Chinese mainland visitors, accelerate the digital transformation of businesses, unlock more commercial potential, and promote the digital connectivity of digital everyday services within the Greater Bay Area.”
The introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao is not just a simple replication of the payment model but also creates a local digital business model benchmark. The collaboration between the three companies integrates Alipay’s user experience and membership preferences, Sands China’s unique services and benefits, and Macau Pass’s regional coverage and operational expertise. Together, they have created a new digital business model.
The post Sands China Launches Alipay Tap! in Macao appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
IGT Unveils Advanced Product and Solutions Portfolio at G2E Asia 2025

International Game Technology PLC (IGT) announced that the Company will unveil its latest portfolio of solutions for the Asia-Pacific market at G2E Asia 2025 at The Venetian Macao, May 7-9 in stand A801. IGT will display a tailored suite of regionally attuned multi-level progressive link and standalone titles, along with the IGT ADVANTAGE casino management system (CMS). IGT’s innovative G2E Asia 2025 portfolio is designed to deliver enhanced player entertainment, increase customer loyalty, drive performance and meet the needs of the local market.
“Over the past 12 months, IGT has seen clear results in our realigned focus for Asia, and at G2E Asia 2025, we will expand upon this successful strategy with a product portfolio designed to deliver even more depth and entertainment to operators and players. IGT’s global strength, paired with our localized focus, allows us to develop compelling offerings that provide variety across casino floors and will help increase our regional footprint for our electronic gaming machine and systems portfolios,” said Dallas Orchard, IGT Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Gaming APAC.
“With the recent appointment of new talent and partnerships, IGT remains focused on strengthening our commitment to the region by delivering a compelling product portfolio at G2E Asia. In addition to new multi-level progressive links, like the global sensation Tiger and Dragon and the locally developed Ying Fu Wa Fa Fa Fa, which takes our proven Ying Fu Wa to the next level, plus the revolutionary IGT ADVANTAGE CMS, we are set to write a new chapter in Asia by enabling our customers to diversify their gaming floors and drive performance,” said Charles Seo, IGT Senior Director of Commercial Strategy, Asia.
Some key highlights for G2E Asia attendees to discover in IGT’s stand will include:
• Tiger and Dragon Link: An extension of IGT’s global hit Tiger and Dragon, this regionally attuned link powers up performance and gameplay with Cash on Reels and a lock and respin bonus with a unique betting structure that unlocks larger values and more win opportunities. Available on IGT’s PeakSlant49, PeakCurve49 and CrystalCurve cabinets, Tiger and Dragon Link also offers the chance to multiply wins up to 10x and includes the popular multi-pot collection feature for an entertaining gameplay experience.
• Ying Fu Wa Fa Fa Fa Link: This innovative link takes an IGT proven performer to the next level. Building on classic and player-favorite Ying Fu Wa gameplay, this new evolution includes a revolutionary ‘888 Feature’ and the addition of a new progressive jackpot that accumulates rewards throughout gameplay. Available in two game titles, Blessing Fortune and Overflowing Joy, with free games for variety and entertainment, Ying Fu Wa Fa Fa Fa Link is available on IGT’s PeakSlant49, PeakCurve49, PeakSlant32 and PeakDual27 cabinets.
• Rising Rockets Link: This multi-level progressive link is currently boosting player entertainment and performance on casino floors across Asia. Available in two complementary game titles, Emperor and Empress, Rising Rockets Link offers three different lock and respin bonuses, scalable bonuses, multi-denomination options and multiple jackpot opportunities during the bonus features. It is available on the PeakSlant49, PeakCurve49 and CrystalCurve cabinets.
• Money Gong Link: Packed with entertainment and a variety of gameplay experiences, the new Money Gong Link offers an innovative lock and respin bonus feature that includes three different gameplay modifiers, ‘Multiplier’, ‘Vortex Pays’ and ‘Prize Boost,’ for more chances to win. With a unique Money Gong bonus play-off for the chance to win the Money Gong jackpot, this new link is available on IGT’s PeakSlant49 and PeakCurve49 cabinets.
In addition to IGT’s demonstration of the exciting gaming portfolio covering more than 60 individual game titles, the IGT Systems team will demonstrate the differentiating features of IGT ADVANTAGE, including exciting bonusing options for Asia and IGT’s award-winning Cardless Connect and Resort Wallet solutions. Offering a modular design that supports convenience-driving apps, IGT ADVANTAGE drives the player experience forward while helping optimise casino operations. Through IGT’s HTML-based M5 technology, operators can deliver personalised real-time promotions, bonuses and more to the player via the cabinet’s service window.
The post IGT Unveils Advanced Product and Solutions Portfolio at G2E Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Construction of Japan’s First Integrated Resort with a Casino Begins

Construction has officially begun on Japan’s first integrated resort with a casino, as MGM Osaka held its groundbreaking ceremony last week. The event, hosted by Osaka IR KK, the project’s promoter, was attended by Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura and representatives of MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corporation, the lead partners behind the ¥1.27 trillion ($8.8 billion) development.
Located on the man-made island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, MGM Osaka is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2030. The project marks a key milestone in Japan’s long-debated foray into legalised casino gaming. Once operational, it is expected to generate around $5.9 billion annually in gross gaming revenue.
MGM Osaka will feature a casino, three hotels with approximately 2500 rooms, and extensive convention and entertainment facilities, including a 3500-seat theater, 330,000 square feet of exhibition space and 400,000 square feet of conference areas. Dining and retail outlets are also part of the expansive master plan.
“In collaboration with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, this project… is expected to contribute to the development of Japan’s tourism industry and the growth of the Kansai region,” a press statement reads.
The complex’s timeline coincides with the tail end of Expo 2025, also hosted on Yumeshima Island. To minimise disruption during the event, construction will be scaled down on peak days and the use of heavy machinery delayed until after the Expo concludes in October.
The resort will benefit from enhanced transportation access. A new Osaka Metro station opened in January to serve Expo 2025 and eventually MGM Osaka, while the Kintetsu Nara Line is being extended to further improve connectivity before the resort opens.
Financially, the project is backed by a ¥530 billion ($3.68 billion) debt financing package led by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., with investments from regional businesses in Osaka.
The post Construction of Japan’s First Integrated Resort with a Casino Begins appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Hero Esports Announces Venues for ACL Grand Finals 2025

Hero Esports, an industry leader and the largest esports company in Asia, has announced its championship venues for the Asian Champions League (ACL) Grand Finals 2025 taking place May 16-18 in Shanghai. The landmark event will transform three of the city’s most iconic venues into battlegrounds for nine premier esports titles, cementing Shanghai’s status as the global esports capital.
The tournament is expected to attract 80,000+ live attendees across three venues, with global broadcasts reaching millions via Twitch, YouTube and TikTok. Participating teams will be competing for a total prize pool of $2 million. Selected ACL winners will earn direct entry to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—the largest esports event in history due to take place from July to August.
“Shanghai’s selection as our host city reflects its unmatched esports infrastructure and passionate community. By combining elite competition with DreamHack’s festival energy, we’re creating a new blueprint for global esports events,” said Jonny Wang, CEO of ACL.
“This is Hero Esports’ most ambitious project to date. The ACL bridges Asian talents with the world stage while delivering unforgettable fan experiences through cutting-edge production,” said Danny Tang, Co-Founder & CEO of Hero Esports.
The post Hero Esports Announces Venues for ACL Grand Finals 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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