Visit Gambling Insider
A new king is crowned: Ed Domingo takes the throne at Crown Melbourne
Crown Melbourne has announced a leadership shake-up, with industry veteran Ed Domingo set to take over as CEO in late April. Domingo, who currently serves as President & COO of MGM Resorts’ Empire City Casino, brings over two decades of experience in casino and hospitality management.
Domingo has previously held executive positions at Bellagio Resort and Casino, Caesars Entertainment and Rush Street Gaming. Crown Resorts CEO David Tsai praised Domingo’s expertise, stating: “Ed has a proven track record in leading integrated resorts, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Crown Melbourne. With his extensive industry experience across various gaming jurisdictions, Ed is well-positioned to lead Crown Melbourne’s next phase of growth and success.”
The announcement comes shortly after Crown Melbourne revealed plans to redevelop The Palms into a 1,200-seat theatre venue, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2026.
Sportradar scores big with billion-Euro year
It’s been a strong year for Sportradar, with the supplier surpassing €1bn in annual revenue for the first time. The company reported a 26.1% increase in full-year revenue, reaching €1.11bn ($1.21bn), while adjusted EBITDA rose by 33% to €222m.
Betting and technology solutions accounted for the bulk of revenue at €907m, but Sportradar’s most notable announcement was its acquisition of IMG Arena’s sports rights portfolio. The €225m deal, which includes $125m in cash payments and $100m in sports rights prepayments, is expected to enhance Sportradar’s coverage of some of the world’s most bet-on sports.
CEO Carsten Koerl expressed confidence in the company’s future, highlighting expanded partnerships, product innovation and the potential for multi-year margin expansion.
Thai-ing the knot: Thailand picks four provinces for casino complexes
Thailand is ushering in a new era of entertainment as the Government has identified Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai and Phuket as the prime locations for planned casino-entertainment complexes. This move is part of a wider strategy to boost tourism and compete with regional giants like Singapore and the Philippines.
The Thai Government estimates these integrated resorts could attract 50 million visitors annually and contribute significantly to the country’s GDP.
Not everyone is on board with the decision, however. A recent survey found that 59% of respondents oppose the development, citing concerns over youth gambling, money laundering and lax regulatory oversight. Public protests have already erupted, delaying further discussions on the Entertainment Complex Bill.
No POGOs? No problem. Philippine’s revenue soars despite POGO ban
The Philippine gaming industry is proving that it doesn’t need offshore operators to thrive. That’s according to its regulator, anyway. Despite the Government’s ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the sector claims it saw an impressive 25% increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2024, reaching Php410bn ($7.2bn).
Brick-and-mortar casinos contributed Php201bn, but the biggest shift was seen in the E-Games and E-Bingo sector, which skyrocketed by 165% year-on-year. This rapid growth is largely attributed to a reduction in licence fees from 50-55% down to 30%, encouraging more operators to enter the regulated market.
Looking ahead, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco remains optimistic about the industry’s future, stating: “We wish to assure our industry stakeholders that even as we strive for greater success, responsible gaming and market integrity will continue to be at the heart of our efforts. The best days of Philippine gaming are still ahead of us, and we look forward to working with all of you to shape what comes next.”
There’s a whole lot(to) at stake: IGT and Sisal face off in Italian showdown
It’s a two-horse race for Italy’s lucrative nine-year Lotto concession, with IGT and Sisal confirmed as the only bidders. With an estimated contract value of €4.3bn ($4.7bn) and a starting bid of €1bn, analysts predict the final cost could soar to €1.5bn.
IGT, which has managed the Italian Lotto since 1993, is partnering with Novomatic, the Italian Tobacco Federation (FIT) and Allwyn. Meanwhile, Sisal, now part of the Flutter Group, is bringing Scientific Games into the fold for its bid.
While the highest bid will play a key role in determining the winner, Italy’s government will also weigh technical and investment proposals.
