Asia
Melco Announces Unaudited Second Quarter 2023 Earnings
Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, a developer, owner, and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe, reported its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2023.
Total operating revenues for the second quarter of 2023 were US$947.9 million, representing an increase of approximately 220% from US$296.1 million for the comparable period in 2022. The increase in total operating revenues was primarily attributable to the improved performance in all gaming segments and non-gaming operations primarily due to the relaxation of COVID-19 related restrictions in Macau in January 2023, the openings of Studio City Phase 2’s Epic Tower and indoor waterpark in April 2023, as well as the launch of residency concerts at Studio City in the same month.
Operating income for the second quarter of 2023 was US$64.3 million, compared with operating loss of US$209.2 million in the second quarter of 2022.
Melco generated Adjusted Property EBITDA(1) of US$267.3 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with negative Adjusted Property EBITDA of US$13.8 million in the second quarter of 2022.
Net loss attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited for the second quarter of 2023 was US$23.4 million, or US$0.05 per ADS, compared with US$251.5 million, or US$0.53 per ADS, in the second quarter of 2022. The net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was US$27.7 million and US$43.2 million during the second quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively, all of which were related to Studio City, City of Dreams Manila, and City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other.
Mr. Lawrence Ho, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The strength of our Macau recovery is evident in the 43% increase in gross gaming revenue in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2023. We’ve seen mass drop increase month-to-month and turnover in our premium direct VIP segment continued to exceed 2019 during the second quarter.
“Labor supply issues in Macau have been largely resolved. We have been able to provide our customers with Melco’s full suite of services and amenities. We expect to add another 560 hotel rooms to our portfolio with the opening of W Macau at Studio City in September and are well positioned to support the continuing increase of customers in Macau.
“The mass segment is also leading the recovery in the Philippines, continuing to outperform 2019 in the second quarter of 2023. And in Cyprus, we opened City of Dreams Mediterranean to the public in July after a successful soft opening in June, and we’re excited for its prospects as we ramp up our operations.
“Environmental sustainability is built into the core of our business and embedded in our operations. Examples of this include the sophisticated water filtration system installed in our waterpark at Studio City to reduce water consumption and improve water reuse and meticulously-designed sustainable packaging and amenities that are free of single-use plastics. We are also continuing our work towards achieving BREEAM certifications for Studio City Phase 2 and City of Dreams Mediterranean following the construction completion of these properties.”
City of Dreams Second Quarter Results
For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, total operating revenues at City of Dreams were US$506.2 million, compared with US$97.3 million in the second quarter of 2022. City of Dreams generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$161.2 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with negative Adjusted EBITDA of US$28.5 million in the second quarter of 2022. The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily a result of better performance in all gaming segments and non-gaming operations.
Rolling chip volume was US$5.76 billion for the second quarter of 2023 versus US$748.1 million in the second quarter of 2022. The rolling chip win rate was 2.88% in the second quarter of 2023 versus 2.57% in the second quarter of 2022. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85% – 3.15%.
Mass market table games drop increased to US$1.24 billion in the second quarter of 2023, compared with US$209.1 million in the second quarter of 2022. The mass market table games hold percentage was 32.0% in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 33.0% in the second quarter of 2022.
Gaming machine handle for the second quarter of 2023 was US$771.5 million, compared with US$217.1 million in the second quarter of 2022. The gaming machine win rate was 2.8% in the second quarter of 2023 versus 2.7% in the second quarter of 2022.
Total non-gaming revenue at City of Dreams in the second quarter of 2023 was US$68.9 million, compared with US$24.3 million in the second quarter of 2022.
Altira Macau Second Quarter Results
For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, total operating revenues at Altira Macau were US$29.3 million, compared with US$7.2 million in the second quarter of 2022. Altira Macau generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$4.3 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with negative Adjusted EBITDA of US$11.3 million in the second quarter of 2022. The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily a result of better performance in all gaming segments and non-gaming operations.
In the mass market table games segment, drop was US$116.6 million in the second quarter of 2023 versus US$29.3 million in the second quarter of 2022. The mass market table games hold percentage was 24.2% in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 17.5% in the second quarter of 2022.
Gaming machine handle for the second quarter of 2023 was US$82.0 million, compared with US$41.5 million in the second quarter of 2022. The gaming machine win rate was 3.3% in the second quarter of 2023 versus 4.2% in the second quarter of 2022.
Total non-gaming revenue at Altira Macau in the second quarter of 2023 was US$4.9 million, compared with US$1.9 million in the second quarter of 2022.
Mocha and Other Second Quarter Results
Total operating revenues from Mocha and Other were US$28.8 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with US$17.0 million in the second quarter of 2022. Mocha and Other generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$6.7 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$2.5 million in the second quarter of 2022.
Mass market table games drop was US$41.4 million in the second quarter of 2023 versus US$0.4 million in the second quarter of 2022. The mass market table games hold percentage was 18.2% in the second quarter of 2023 versus 26.9% in the second quarter of 2022.
Gaming machine handle for the second quarter of 2023 was US$502.8 million, compared with US$406.8 million in the second quarter of 2022. The gaming machine win rate was 4.5% in the second quarter of 2023 versus 4.2% in the second quarter of 2022.
Studio City Second Quarter Results
For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, total operating revenues at Studio City were US$236.0 million, compared with US$35.9 million in the second quarter of 2022. Studio City generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$41.1 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with negative Adjusted EBITDA of US$31.1 million in the second quarter of 2022. The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily a result of better performance in the mass market table games segment and non-gaming operations.
Studio City’s rolling chip volume was US$789.5 million in the second quarter of 2023 versus US$104.1 million in the second quarter of 2022. The rolling chip win rate was 1.43% in the second quarter of 2023 versus 5.33% in the second quarter of 2022. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85% – 3.15%.
Mass market table games drop increased to US$716.6 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with US$93.2 million in the second quarter of 2022. The mass market table games hold percentage was 25.5% in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 25.7% in the second quarter of 2022.
Gaming machine handle for the second quarter of 2023 was US$595.4 million, compared with US$201.7 million in the second quarter of 2022. The gaming machine win rate was 3.4% in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 2.5% in the second quarter of 2022.
Total non-gaming revenue at Studio City in the second quarter of 2023 was US$74.3 million, compared with US$8.3 million in the second quarter of 2022.
City of Dreams Manila Second Quarter Results
For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, total operating revenues at City of Dreams Manila were US$116.4 million, compared with US$111.7 million in the second quarter of 2022. City of Dreams Manila generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$47.0 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$49.0 million in the comparable period of 2022.
City of Dreams Manila’s rolling chip volume was US$520.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 versus US$771.3 million in the second quarter of 2022. The rolling chip win rate was 3.10% in the second quarter of 2023 versus 2.95% in the second quarter of 2022. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85% – 3.15%.
Mass market table games drop increased to US$194.5 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with US$178.4 million in the second quarter of 2022. The mass market table games hold percentage was 31.3% in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 29.0% in the second quarter of 2022.
Gaming machine handle for the second quarter of 2023 was US$1.01 billion, compared with US$925.6 million in the second quarter of 2022. The gaming machine win rate was 4.8% in the second quarter of 2023 versus 5.3% in the second quarter of 2022.
Total non-gaming revenue at City of Dreams Manila in the second quarter of 2023 was US$28.7 million, compared with US$27.3 million in the second quarter of 2022.
City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other Second Quarter Results
City of Dreams Mediterranean officially opened to the public on July 10, 2023, after a soft opening in June. The Company continues to operate three satellite casinos in Cyprus in conjunction with City of Dreams Mediterranean (collectively, the “Cyprus Casinos”).
Total operating revenues at the Cyprus Casinos for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 were US$30.9 million, compared with US$21.7 million in the second quarter of 2022. The Cyprus Casinos generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$6.9 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$5.6 million in the second quarter of 2022. The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily a result of better performance in the mass market segment.
Rolling chip volume was US$0.1 million in both the second quarters of 2023 and 2022. The rolling chip win rate was 2.52% in the second quarter of 2023, compared with negative 6.12% in the second quarter of 2022. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85% – 3.15%.
Mass market table games drop was US$47.0 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared with US$31.4 million in the second quarter of 2022. The mass market table games hold percentage was 21.9% in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 19.5% in the second quarter of 2022.
Gaming machine handle for the second quarter of 2023 was US$391.7 million, compared with US$315.9 million in the second quarter of 2022. The gaming machine win rate was 5.1% in the second quarter of 2023 versus 5.0% in the second quarter of 2022.
Total non-gaming revenue at City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other in the second quarter of 2023 was US$1.9 million, compared with US$0.1 million in the second quarter of 2022.
Other Factors Affecting Earnings
Total net non-operating expenses for the second quarter of 2023 were US$116.5 million, which mainly included interest expenses of US$123.5 million, net of amounts capitalized, partially offset by interest income of US$5.0 million.
Depreciation and amortization costs of US$136.5 million were recorded in the second quarter of 2023, of which US$5.7 million related to the amortization expense for land use rights.
Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed Senate Resolution 1193 to investigate the failure of local banks to detect POGO-related suspicious transactions tied to criminal activities, following the case of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.
Gatchalian, in his resolution, highlighted bank transactions involving Guo’s companies, which amounted to hundreds of millions of pesos and allegedly funded the construction of a POGO hub in Bamban. The amount far exceeded the financial capacity reflected in the companies’ financial statements.
He pointed out a significant increase in cash flows, check disbursements, and transactions involving Guo’s accounts, peaking in 2020—an anomaly given that the COVID-19 pandemic had severely disrupted businesses and economies worldwide.
Gatchalian noted that despite these large transactions, the banking system failed to flag them as suspicious. He raised concerns about the banks’ inability to report such dubious activities, questioning the effectiveness of their internal controls and procedures for identifying and reporting suspicious behaviour.
The senator emphasised that financial institutions are responsible for analysing financial data to detect transactions that may indicate money laundering.
These circumstances, according to Gatchalian, raise doubts about the adequacy of current Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations and guidelines for banks and financial institutions.
Gatchalian also pointed out that the Philippines remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The country must improve its AML/CTF efforts, including prosecuting money laundering and terrorism financing, addressing beneficial ownership information and strengthening cross-border declaration measures.
While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed all government agencies to meet the necessary requirements to remove the country from the FATF grey list, Gatchalian stressed that private sector compliance is equally crucial to strengthening the country’s AML/CFT regime. This includes increased adherence to obligations, such as reporting covered and suspicious transactions.
The post Philippine Senator Pushes for Inquiry into Banks’ Role in Pogo Funding appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
An Islamic party said it was prepared to shut down Malaysia’s only casino if it wins control of the state where it is located, as the group looks to build its influence in the Southeast Asian nation.
A senior official from Parti Islam Se-Malaysia said if voters in central Pahang state – home to Genting Bhd.’s casino – wanted gambling to end, they should choose the Islamic party. The party is tapping into concerns by the country’s Muslim majority over gambling, which is forbidden in the Koran.
PAS has been growing its influence since the 2022 elections made it the biggest party in federal parliament. It already controls four of Malaysia’s 13 states and is looking to capture Pahang in the next national election that must be held by early 2028.
“Gambling is harmful, so we have to close it. But it must be in accordance with the laws and constitution,” Andansura Rabu, PAS’ deputy commissioner for Pahang, said at the party’s annual gathering.
The federal government decides on casino and gaming permits in Malaysia and gaming is one of the most regulated sectors in the country.
Genting’s casino contributed as much as US$1.16 billion annually to government coffers before the pandemic, according to a report by UOB Kay Hian, a Singapore-based brokerage. When PAS emerged as the biggest party after the 2022 elections, Genting shares slid but recovered as Anwar formed a unity government made up of liberals, a Chinese-dominant party and regional groups.
Still, the growing influence of the Islamic party in national politics has pushed Anwar to turn more conservative to burnish his credentials with voters. Last year his government cancelled a concert after two members of a British band The 1975 shared a same-sex kiss on stage, and banned Swatch watches that showcase Pride colours.
At the annual gathering held last weekend in Pahang, PAS has ruled out working with Anwar’s coalition and pledged to champion Islamic issues. Banning alcohol and gambling in Malaysia would be key, the party has said.
“Anything that can harm society, we must together support its destruction. This isn’t a matter of religion, it’s a social issue,” Andasura said.
The post Malaysia’s PAS Vows to Shut Genting Casino if Party Wins in Pahang State appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Chinese football authorities have banned 43 individuals for life due to their involvement in gambling and match-fixing scandals. The list includes three former China international footballers and South Korean World Cup player Son Jun-ho.
China’s extensive football corruption crackdown campaign has been ongoing since 2022. The National Sports General Administration and the Ministry of Public Security have led efforts to address issues of match-fixing and gambling in the sport. They have investigated over 120 matches, involving 83 players, referees, coaches and club officials. To date, 44 individuals have been sentenced, with 34 receiving prison terms.
The recent announcement of these lifetime bans came shortly after the national team’s 7-0 loss to Japan.
Son Jun-ho, who played for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League and represented South Korea in the 2022 World Cup, has been accused of participating in match-fixing and accepting bribes. Son returned to South Korea in March 2024 after being detained in China since May 2023. The authorities initially stated that he was held “on suspicion of accepting bribes by non-state employees” but did not provide further details.
Other notable figures banned include Jin Jingdao, a former Shandong Taishan player, and Chinese international players Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao.
The post Chinese Football Bans 43 for Life Over Gambling and Match-Fixing Scandal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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