The World Poker Tour (WPT) has launched its social casino platform, PlayWPT. The first product launched by the WPT in partnership with its parent company, China’s Ourgame, the platform features PlayWPT Poker which allows players to enjoy ring...
Author - Ben Blaschke
WGM’s Best Bets: Thursday 1 September 2016
China travels to South Korea tonight for a tough World cup qualifier but we like their chances to come away with a little something from this one. While the Koreans were belted 6-1 by Spain last star, the Chinese have been gradually building in...
WGM’s Best Bets: Wednesday 31 August 2016
It’s a battle of the big hitters tonight as local Ryan Harrison faces Canada’s Milos Raonic. Both players cruised through their opening round matches in straight sets, but this clash represents a huge step up for Harrison against a...
Englishman’s exile in the new season
With the deadline of the summer transfer window now just 24 hours away, most clubs are accelerating the pace of finalizing deals and we expect to see a flurry of activity across Europe. Joe Hart was more than happy to hear of interest from Torino...
Asian Poker Tour returning to Macau
The Asian Poker Tour (APT) is heading back to Macau! After a three-year hiatus, the APT will finally return for APT Macau 2016, to be held in partnership with Poker King Club and SJM at Casino Lisboa from Wednesday 19 October to Tuesday 25...
WGM’s Best Bets: Tuesday 30 August
The Cleveland Indians will be looking to cement their place at the top of the All Central division when they host divisional rivals the Minnesota Twins tonight. The Indians boast an impressive 73-56 record this season while the Twins sit bottom at...
Sydney’s The Star scores rare VIP victory over Crown
Australian casino operator The Star Entertainment Group appears to be benefiting from Macau’s downturn, with profit for the 2016 financial year up 15 percent and VIP revenue at Sydney flagship The Star out-performing Melbourne rival Crown for...
Early signs good for Wynn Palace
The latest addition to the Cotai landscape, Wynn Palace, is in good shape to claim decent market share – particularly at the higher end of the spectrum – according to Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen. “Talking to junkets and spending...
WGM’s Best Bets: Monday 29 August 2016
The US Open tennis gets underway tonight and among a slew of lopsided opening round match-ups, we like the look of Richard Gasquet to cruise through his opening round clash against Kyle Edmund in straight sets. Gasquet reached the semi-finals in New...
Battle for Taiwan casinos gets ugly ahead of referendum
The battle to launch Taipei’s casino industry is heating up with Trees Party Chairman Sheng Yi-che alleging his car was vandalized by supporters of legalized gambling in Penghu. In a report in the Taipei Times overnight, Sheng – who strongly...
Chinese toddlers attending “CEO courses”
Parents in China are enrolling children as young as three in special “CEO courses” in a bid to give them an early advantage over their peers. According to The Telegraph in the UK, the courses teach kids such skills as recognizing real...
WGM’s Best Bets: Friday 26 August 2016
Another huge weekend of Premier League action is highlighted by a crucial clash between big guns Tottenham and Liverpool tomorrow night. Despite last week’s shock loss to Burnley, the Reds will anticipate better luck in front of goal this week...
Uber’s failed China experiment cost US$1.25 billion in 2016
Uber’s decision to sell up and move out of China earlier this month was prompted by huge losses totaling more than US$1.25 billion in 2016 alone, according to a report from Bloomberg. The rideshare company sold its operations to Chinese rival...
Mass market gives Galaxy a welcome boost
Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) is reaping the rewards for successfully transitioning to a mass market focus, according to Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen, with revenue up 4 percent year on year for the second quarter of 2016. In...
Blue Man Group reveals its Macau party tricks
An exclusive backstage tour of world renowned stage act Blue Man Group has revealed the sheer scale and variety of props used by the distinctive blue performers. Held prior to one of their shows at the Venetian Theatre earlier this week, where Blue...
PAGCOR to issue foreigner-only online gaming licenses
The Philippines’ government-owned gaming authority PAGCOR is set to issue new online gaming licenses that will exclusively target overseas players, according to global news service Reuters. Barely a week after PAGCOR confirmed it would not...
WGM’s Best Bets: Thursday 25 August
The world’s very best golfers will assemble for the first FedEx Playoffs event of the year, The Barclays, tonight and we like the look of Dustin Johnson to secure a high finish. Johnson has a good record at this course, which typically favors...
WGM’s Best Bets: Wednesday 24 August 2016
Manchester City host Romania’s Steaua Bucharest in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifying playoff with the visitors facing the impossible task of overturning a 5-0 deficit. This looks like it will be another romp for City...
Greyhound racing’s demise progresses to London
The global future of the greyhound racing industry continues to look shakier with the news that London will demolish its last remaining dog track. Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is set to make way for a new Plough Lane development with London Mayor...
Russia creates new gambling zone in Sochi
Sochi, the former home of the Winter Olympic Games, is set to become Russia’s newest gambling hub after being signed into law by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The Krasnaya Polyana zone covers 165,000 square meters and becomes just...
Wynn Palace officially opens its doors to the public
Macau’s newest integrated resort, Steve Wynn’s US$4.2 billion Wynn Palace, officially opened its doors to the public last night with a spectacular fountain show on the property’s giant Performance Lake signalling its launch. At...
WGM’s Best Bets: Tuesday 23 August
Italy’s fabled defensive prowess will be put to the test tonight as Roma host Portuguese side Portugal in an intriguing Champions League qualifying clash. A 1-1 result in last week’s first leg gives Roma the slightest edge thanks to the...
Demolition of Las Vegas icon the Riviera complete
The second tower of the Riviera was demolished late last week, bringing an end the Las Vegas icon’s colorful 60-year history. Two months after the 24-storey Monaco Tower was brought crashing down, the job is now complete with the smaller Monte...
Chinese firm eyes Liverpool FC stake
State-supported Chinese consortium China Everbright Limited is looking to buy a “substantial shareholding” in Liverpool Football Club, according to a weekend report by Sky News. But just how big that share is remains open to...
WGM’s Best Bets: Monday 22 August
The Chicago Cubs will be looking to continue their recent run of form when they travel to San Diego to take on the Padres tonight. Currently on top of the National League Central division with a 78-44 record, we expect them to be far too strong for...
Flo Rida to perform at Pacha Macau
American rapper Flo Rida is headed to Pacha Macau for a one-night only performance on Saturday 10 September. Most famous for his 2008 breakthrough smash hit “Low”, Flo Rida and his full entourage will fly in to give Hong Kong and Macau...
China arrests 450 suspected of illegal money transfers
Chinese authorities have arrested 450 suspects in 2016 as they continue their fight against the illegal transfer of money out of the country. According to a report by Bloomberg, the suspects are believed to have transferred a massive US$30 billion...
WGM’s Best Bets: Friday 19 August
Penrith will be looking to move one step closer to a finals berth when they host injury depleted Wests Tigers in tonight’s NRL clash in Sydney. Fresh from big wins over the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle, the Panthers are high on confidence...
World Poker Tour signs five year deal with Fox Sports
The World Poker Tour (WPT) has signed a historic five-year deal with US television broadcaster Fox Sports which will see its major events broadcast around the world for the next five seasons, including an additional 13 hours of programming each...
Steve Wynn describes Macau diversification plan as “misunderstood”
Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn has described Macau’s diversification plan as “misunderstood”, insisting restaurants, not roller coasters, are the true representation of family entertainment. Speaking at a press conference at his new...