Bloomberry Resorts Corp reported a 4% year-on-year decrease in consolidated gross gaming revenues to Php14.5 billion (US$255 million) in the three months to 30 June 2024, with the first contribution from recently opened Solaire Resort North in Quezon City not enough to counter a substantial decline in VIP volumes at the company’s original Entertainment City property.

According to information released Wednesday, Solaire Resort North booked 37 operating days post-opening in 2Q24, in which time it generated total GGR of Php1.1 billion (US$19.3 million) from its mass table games and electronic table games businesses. The property was also EBITDA positive, posting Php250.1 million (US$4.4 million) despite a variety of gaming and non-gaming facilities having not yet launched during the period.

Despite this, consolidated results were subdued, with Bloomberry reporting a 33% decline in group-wide EBITDA to Php3.6 billion (US$63.2 million) while net income fell to Php1.3 billion (US$22.8 million) from Php3.4 billion (US$59.7 million) a year earlier.

The company pointed specifically to continued weakness in VIP, where rolling chip volume at Solaire Resort Entertainment City fell by 32% to Php117.9 billion (US$2.07 billion) and GGR by 21% to Php3.74 billion (US$65.7 million).

“In the second quarter and first half of 2024, our mass gaming revenues across two properties increased year-over-year despite the very high base set in the first half of 2023,” said Bloomberry Chairman and CEO, Enrique K Razon Jr.

“However, continued weakness in the VIP segment as well as pre-operating and operating expenses at Solaire Resort North resulted in a decline in consolidated EBITDA and net income.

“Despite our weaker consolidated year-over-year performance, I am pleased to report that Solaire Resort North recorded positive EBITDA of Php250 million in its first 37 days of operations. We are in the early stages of the property’s ramp-up and are happy with the pace, especially as we compare it to the ramp of Solaire in Entertainment City over 11 years ago.

“As revenues at our second property grow, we anticipate further synergies and positive operating leverage to contribute to our group’s profitability in the coming quarters.”

Solaire Resort North’s GGR result included mass table GGR of Php508 million (US$8.9 million) and EGM GGR of Php629 million (US$11.0 million), while hotel occupancy was 20.1% due to a soft opening phase.

For the first six months of 2024 combined, Bloomberry reported consolidated GGR of Php29.2 billion (US$513 million), down 6% year-on-year, with consolidated EBITDA of Php8.6 billion (US$151 million), down 23%, and net income of Php4.0 billion (US$70.2 million), down 38%.

NODWIN Gaming, a global new-age youth gaming, esports, and entertainment company, in collaboration with Android has unveiled an experiential one-day carnival to celebrate the final of the third consecutive year of Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS). Designed to bring the community together for a memorable experience, the event is set to take place on August 11, which is Day 3 of the finals of the tournament, at Kicksal, Osho Drive in Chhatarpur, New Delhi.

The highlight of Android BGMS Carnival will be the view party of the Android BGMS Season 3 finals Day 3 alongside a live performance by music artist Garv Taneja, better known as Chaar Diwaari. The event will also feature ‘AndroidLand’ comprising a range of gamified activities and immersive experiences for attendees. Additionally, there will be several other community experiences including expo stalls and food and beverage stalls from notable brands such as Garnier Men and Red Bull.

The high-voltage action of Android BGMS Season 3 finals, featuring the nation’s top 16 esports teams will be broadcast on Star Sports from August 9 to 11.

“So far, Android BGMS Season 3 has showcased the pinnacle of esports action in India. With the introduction of the impact player and bounty system, teams and athletes have consistently delivered outstanding performances and intense moments that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. To elevate the excitement even further, we are announcing this experiential carnival in collaboration with Android to create an unforgettable experience for the youth. We are merging the best of esports with live entertainment, and interactive activities. We also want to extend our gratitude to our partners, who have been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life. This carnival is our way of thanking our incredible community and ensuring they have a blast while celebrating the spirit of gaming with us,” said Gautam Virk, Co-founder and CEO, NODWIN Gaming.

Chaar Diwaari’s live performance aligns perfectly with NODWIN Gaming’s focus on youth entertainment and providing an all-around experience for the community. Being a well-renowned name among the youth for his experimental hip-hop music makes him the perfect choice to elevate the excitement of the event.

“Gaming has always been one of the things I have enjoyed, so being part of the Android BGMS Carnival is really exciting for me. I have been following the tournament closely and can’t wait to watch the finals. It is going to be an incredible experience to perform live and then join the crowd in cheering on the top teams as they battle it out for the championship. I’m looking forward to amping up the excitement at the Carnival!,” commented Garv Taneja a.k.a Chaar Diwaari

After an intense league week, Reckoning Esports, Global Esports, Carpediem, and Gods Reign were the first four teams to have secured their spots in the finals of Android BGMS Season 3. They were later joined by WSB Gaming, Team X Spark, Raven Esports, MOGO Esports, Team Tamilas, Team 8Bit, Godlike Esports, Team Orangutan, OneBlade, IQOO Soul, Carnival Gaming and Entity who emerged victorious during the playoffs.

Fans can catch all the action of the Android BGMS Season 3 finals live on Star Sports 2 (HD & SD) in English and Star Sports First in Hindi starting at 6:30 PM. Additionally, viewers can also experience the finals in Tamil and Hindi commentary on SS2.

With the aim to build a harmonious, healthy and sustainable society, MGM has been working with different stakeholders in Macau to promote responsible gambling (RG) through various initiatives. The Company has unveiled the “MGM Financial Education School Tour 2024 – Hero of Egg Waffle” earlier, aiming to convey positive messages such as the prevention of gaming and financial awareness to the students. This initiative features interesting interaction and vivid story from the perspective of education and prevention, allowing students to have rational financial plans.

Tian Han, EVP of Gaming Operations & Strategic Marketing at MGM, said: “MGM organizes a series of RG promotional activities with different themes for all ages in society. We launched the ‘MGM Financial Education School Tour’ in 2023, presenting a musical drama every year addressing current social issues such as blind box purchases and online game recharging, helping students develop a proper concept of money and values in a fresh and fun way. The school tour visits 20 local primary and secondary schools, helping promote to more than 3000 students in every academic year.”

Aside from primary and secondary students, MGM is also conveying RG information to university students in a bid to make further contribution to local youth’s growth. Recently, MGM has signed a memorandum of understanding with City University of Macau (CityU) to inaugurate the “Responsible Gaming Project at Campus”. Under this partnership, MGM will host RG training and lectures at the university campus, enabling the students who have completed the training to act as RG ambassador in MGM’s RG promotional events. The project aims to encourage students to gain a deeper understanding of RG’s importance in Macau while building a broader and more robust safety net in the community.

Beyond promoting RG in schools, MGM is also committed to raise the public awareness of RG. The Company recently launched the “Photo Exhibition of Gaming Industry and Responsible Gaming Promotions in Macau – MGM Special Session”, revolving around three topics – “History of Gaming Industry Development,” “History of Responsible Gaming” and “Introduction to MGM’s Responsible Gaming Initiatives”. The exhibition showcased the evolution of Macau’s gaming industry and the city’s social efforts on RG, attracting audiences from local associations, gaming industry as well as residents and tourists. Additionally, MGM joined forces with Macao New Chinese Youth Association to hold the “Responsible Gaming City Orienteering Competition” with 30 participating teams. The competition required participants to finish a series of games and challenging tasks and arrive at the service point of a designated RG stakeholder within the specified time period, so that they can acquire RG knowledge of RG through sports competition.