Asia
Galaxy Entertainment First Macau Gaming Operator to Accept WeChat Pay
Galaxy Entertainment, one of just six licensed gaming operators in Macau, announced this week that it will soon begin accepting WeChat Pay mobile transactions at its three major properties, Galaxy Macau, StarWorld Macau, and Broadway Macau.
WeChat Pay allows mobile users to leave their physical wallets at home, and now visitors to Galaxy Entertainment resorts in Macau will be given that freedom, so long as they don’t plan on gambling.
WeChat is a popular social media platform in China that has almost a billion monthly active users. Its Pay digital wallet component allows users to link the app to their bank account in order to pay bills, order goods and services, transfer money, and pay in stores by scanning merchant QR codes.
In addition to the yuan, WeChat Pay supports numerous currencies including the Hong Kong dollar, US dollar, Great Britain pound, and euro. Exchange rates are calculated through one of the Chinese government’s commercially owned banks.
In a statement, Galaxy Entertainment said the inclusion of WeChat Pay “answers the needs of mainland Chinese visitors … who overwhelmingly prefer to pay with e-wallets.”
What the company didn’t reveal, however, is whether casino patrons will be able to purchase gaming chips and spin the slot machines through their mobile devices. That might hint that the service won’t be immediately available on the gambling floors. Galaxy only confirmed that WeChat will be accepted “at a wide range of establishments” including hotels, food and beverage establishments, retail shops, and entertainment venues.
Galaxy Entertainmentwas founded in 1988 by Hong Kong billionaire Lui Che Woo. In addition to the three casino resorts, Galaxy also controls three CityClub casinos in Macau.
WeChat Controversy
Galaxy Entertainment welcoming WeChat use into its resorts might come as a surprise considering the recent gambling scandals involving the social platform.
Just last week, Macau’s Judiciary Police arrested seven men for operating an illegal gambling operation that offered baccarat to remote players and took bets via WeChat Pay.
Even more startling was last April’s sting that uncovered a betting ring that used WeChat to livestream video footage of an actual baccarat table inside a Macau casino. Bettors were given 70 seconds to place their bets, and online facilitators collected or paid out on the wagers after the results of each round were displayed. The allure was apparently that there were no betting limits.
Macau police also announced this week that a loansharking operation that facilitated money for gamblers through WeChat Pay had been disrupted.
Asian Appeal
The Asian gambler is a coveted demographic, as they often have a strong belief in luck, fortune, and fate. An anonymous Chinese gambler once said, “If you don’t gamble, you don’t know how lucky you are.” The same, of course, can be said about how unlucky one might be.
Regardless, a substantial portion of Asians enjoy gambling. Behind only the United States, China loses the most money gambling each year of any country.
That’s why over 7,000 miles away in Las Vegas, Caesars recently incorporated WeChat Pay at Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, and LINQ Hotel & Casino. “We want to do this for our Chinese customers to make them feel at home,” Caesars VP of International Marketing Bruce Bommarito said last summer.
WeChat Pay users at the three resorts can purchase food through the app, as well as concert tickets and retail items. However, gambling through the app isn’t available.
Asia
Nazara integrates with ONDC Network to Launch “gCommerce” in India, Unlocking a new era of In-Game Monetization
Nazara Technologies Limited, a leading diversified gaming and sports media platform, and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) are proud to announce their integration to launch “gCommerce” – an innovative in-game monetization platform that seamlessly integrates e-commerce within games.
The integration aims to address a persistent challenge for Indian game developers: low in-app purchase (IAP) conversion rates and poor yields from advertising. Through gCommerce, Nazara and ONDC Network are reimagining game monetization by leveraging India’s thriving e-commerce landscape and providing developers with new, scalable revenue streams.
This strategic integration will allow game developers to monetize through an affiliate revenue-sharing model, earning a commission on every successful transaction initiated by players through the gCommerce platform.
Creating Value for Developers and Gamers
ONDC Network’s expertise in creating an open, interoperable network for digital commerce will enable Nazara’s gCommerce platform to connect with a wide range of sellers across more than 10 categories, ensuring a rich diversity of product offering for gamers. This integration enhances the user experience by allowing them to make informed purchases while they continue their gaming journey.
“We are excited to announce the upcoming launch of gCommerce by Nazara via integration with the ONDC Network, as it represents a significant step forward in our mission to empower game developers with effective and innovative monetization solutions,” said Nitish Mittersain, CEO of Nazara Technologies. “We are not only creating new revenue opportunities for developers but also enriching the overall experience for our gamers.”
T Koshy, CEO of ONDC, added, “Nazara coming on ONDC Network to launch gCommerce is a testament to the versatility of the Network in supporting various industries and use cases. By bringing e-commerce into the gaming ecosystem, we are paving the way for a seamless blend of entertainment and shopping that adds value for players, developers, and the broader digital commerce network.”
The gCommerce platform is currently in soft launch and will be rolled out to game developers starting Q1, FY26.
Asia
Making Indian Presence Felt: Natural8 India gears up to take a contingent of nine winners of its latest India Exclusive to Asian Poker Tour (APT) Phu Quoc!
With fully expense paid trip to the breathtaking island and a whopping INR 15 lakh in additional benefits, the winners will compete with Asia’s best poker players for the ultimate prize in the Main and Mini Main Events
Underlining its commitment to establishing India’s competitive poker scene on a global stage, Natural8 India is taking a massive contingent of nine players on an all-expenses paid trip to compete at the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Phu Quoc. In doing so, these nine players – Kishore Kumar V C, Romit Advani, Akhand Shukla, Myron Pereira, Pranav Khandalkar, Arindam Nayak, Anurag Rawat, Rasik Bhatia, and Harsh Bharti – will have a shot at winning the ultimate prize at the Main Event: the APT Trophy and the Main Event prize pool!
To facilitate this, Natural8 India has offered bonuses worth a whopping INR 15 lakh to the nine winners of its latest India Exclusive. In addition to travel and accommodation (worth around INR 85,000 per head) to all players, it has also offered the top four players a chance to compete at the main table with Main Event tickets worth INR 1,23,905 each while the other five players are set to compete at the Mini Main Event with tickets worth INR 41,301 each.
Speaking at the announcement, Kunal Patni, Executive Director and Country Head, Natural8 India, said, “The Indian competitive poker community is rapidly establishing itself as a thriving space and actively challenging the top players, whether in Asia or a global stage. At Natural8 India, we are proud to be driving this shift with events such as our India Exclusives, where we uncover the next wave of talented competitive poker players and give them a chance to shine at the grandest stages. It is inspiring to witness the energy at these tables, with both seasoned players and fresh talent coming together to elevate the game. We’re eagerly anticipating more intense showdowns at the APT Phu Quoc as our contingent takes on the best poker players from across Asia. We wish all the participants the very best!”
Asia
Hong Kong Construction Titan Turned Macau Casino Boss Lui Che-Woo Dies Aged 95
Lui Che Woo, the casino tycoon who helped propel Macau to eclipse rival Las Vegas in gambling revenues, has died at the age of 95, his company said in a statement late on Monday.
Lui, chairman of Macau casino company Galaxy Entertainment, died in Hong Kong on Nov. 7, it said, adding that his “vision, tremendous leadership and guidance” were the foundation for the group’s development and continued success.
Also the chairman of K. Wah Group, a Hong Kong-listed company focused on construction and quarry mining before turning to property, Lui was widely recognised in both Hong Kong and Macau as an influential businessman with close ties to the Chinese government.
One of Hong Kong’s richest men, Lui kept a low profile and was always seen wearing a flat cap as he went about the city and when he attended press conferences.
A member of China’s national advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Lui had close ties to Beijing and was part of a business delegation that met with President Xi Jinping in 2014 in China’s capital.
Galaxy Entertainment holds one of six coveted gaming licenses that were granted after Macau liberalised the casino industry in 2002.
Competing with rivals like the now deceased Stanley Ho, whose family runs the SJM Holdings casino empire, the late U.S. billionaire Sheldon Adelson and Wynn Resorts founder Steve Wynn, Lui steered Galaxy to become of Macau’s top operators.
It operates several large casino resorts in Macau, both on the Las Vegas-style Cotai strip and on the teeming main peninsula.
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