Galaxy for luxury accommodations, is set to launch a new 5-star hotel, the Capella Hotel, in mid-2025. It is being described as 'a serene oasis in the centre of a bustling city". This addition will further solidify Galaxy, already housing eight renowned hotels, including the Banyan Tree and the Ritz-Carlton.

The upcoming Capella Hotel, officially named Capella at Galaxy Macau, will be a 17-floor architectural marvel showcasing Galaxy’s signature gold exterior. The hotel is designed by the renowned French company Moinard Bētaille, known for their innovative and luxurious designs. The design draws inspiration from tropical greenery and water, aiming to create a serene atmosphere that offers a tranquil retreat from the bustling city.

The hotel will feature 36 “sky villas” and 57 suites, each promising ultimate comfort and relaxation. The sky villas will each feature an outdoor lounge, infinity pool, karaoke room, personal cocktail bar, and pantry. The suites, on the other hand, will provide opulence with private pools and balconies offering breathtaking city views.

Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, expressed his excitement about the collaboration with Capella Hotel and Resorts. He aims to deliver unparalleled luxury in 21st-century hospitality, setting a new standard for luxury accommodations.

The hotel will also feature a high-end restaurant by renowned Michelin-starred chef Vicky Cheng. Cheng is known for his innovative French-meets-Chinese cuisine, and his debut at the Capella Hotel is highly anticipated.

In addition to the restaurant, guests can enjoy a whiskey bar by Moinard Bētaille and an exclusive members-only lounge named Pony & Plume, designed by Hong Kong’s Albert Kwan. These amenities further enhance the luxurious experience offered by the Capella Hotel.

The launch of the Capella Hotel marks a significant milestone for Galaxy Macau. It not only expands their portfolio of luxury accommodations but also redefines the standards of luxury and comfort in the hospitality industry. With its serene atmosphere, luxurious amenities, and world-class dining, the Capella Hotel is set to become a premier destination for discerning travellers.

After nearly three years of rigorous remediation, by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC). The Chief Commissioner, Philip Crawford, acknowledged Crown’s significant progress and emphasized the need for its sustained commitment to maintaining suitability.

Crown Sydney has undergone a fundamental transformation in its business operations. The NICC’s assessment confirmed that the casino is operating within the parameters of the Act, the suitability deed, and its regulatory obligations. This marks a significant milestone in Crown’s journey, demonstrating its ability to run the casino lawfully.

Beyond legal compliance, Crown has made meaningful strides in other areas of its business. It has fostered a culture of transparency and accountability across its integrated resort, a crucial step in its remediation process.

Despite these positive changes, the NICC remains mindful of the misconduct exposed in 2021 when Crown was deemed unsuitable. Crawford stressed that to do to reach a steady state. The casino must continue to elevate its standards and sustain its cultural transformation.

The NICC itself has evolved as a regulator, now possessing enhanced powers, a singular focus on casinos, and a mandate to mitigate harm. This decision is a testament to Crown’s transformation and a positive outcome for its staff, the community, and Crown Sydney itself.

Crown Sydney has implemented hundreds of new internal controls as part of its reforms, reflecting the Bergin-based recommendations. These reforms have culminated in a new licence and a new regulatory agreement between Crown Sydney, the NSW Government, and the NICC.

The updated agreements include revised settings, such as the removal of restrictions on the NICC’s powers and the elimination of previous compensation trigger clauses from the casino legislation.

Crawford reminded Crown of the responsibility and privilege that accompany a casino licence. Crown Sydney’s future as a destination hospitality and entertainment venue, underpinned by the restricted gaming facility, hinges on its unwavering commitment to continuing suitability, accountability, and compliance.

is currently engaged in discussions with Berjaya and Genting Group regarding the possibility of establishing a casino in Forest City, located in Johor, a state located south of the country and known for beaches and rainforest.  

Forest City, often referred to as the nation's 'ghost city,' was initially unveiled in 2006 as part of a 20-year development project funded by a consortium of primarily mainland Chinese real estate developers. 

The massive $100 billion (€93.5 billion) property project, which also involves the nation's monarch as a shareholder, has garnered attention from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. A recent Bloomberg report said that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held preliminary discussions with Vincent Tan, the founder of Berjaya Corp, and Lim Kok Thay from Genting Group regarding the proposed casino venture. 

Despite the discussions, uncertainties loom over the potential project due to 's predominantly Muslim population and cultural aversion to gambling. The Muslim-majority nation's stance on gambling presents a significant hurdle to the establishment of a casino, raising questions about the feasibility of the proposed venture. 

Notably, the country's King holds a substantial stake of over 20 percent in the Forest City joint venture, which is overseen by developer Country Garden. Additionally, King Ibrahim has interests in Berjaya Assets Bhd, while his daughter serves as the Chair of Berjaya Corp. King Ibrahim recently ascended to the throne in January, adding complexity to the political landscape surrounding potential developments in Forest City. 

If the discussions lead to concrete agreements, the establishment of a casino in Forest City would mark Malaysia's second-ever casino licence. However, the project's realization hinges on navigating cultural sensitivities, regulatory considerations, and political dynamics within the Southeast Asian country. 

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In the first quarter of 2024, theof 0.4 percent, amounting to a total of £307.7 million. This slight growth was facilitated by a 2.7 percent rise in the number of active customers during the quarter, reaching 1.7 million.

The company’s B2C gross winnings revenue (GWR) constituted £297.6 million of the total revenue, marking a 0.1 percent increase. Simultaneously, the company’s underlying EBITDA saw a significant improvement, increasing by 20 percent to £59.3 million.

A noteworthy 84 percent of the GWR was generated from locally regulated markets during the quarter, setting a new record for the company. The CEO, Nils Andén, highlighted this achievement.

Breaking down the total GWR, 64 percent (£191.5 million) originated from Western Europe, marking a 9.9 percent year-on-year increase. The Nordics contributed 22 percent (£65.2 million) to the total GWR, despite a 14.9 percent reduction compared to Q1 2023. Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe accounted for 10 percent (£29.8 million) of the remaining GWR, experiencing a year-on-year drop of 7.7 percent. The final 4 percent (£11.1 million) came from other regions, which saw a decrease of 21.8 percent.

In terms of revenue by vertical, online casino and games led the way, accounting for 56 percent of the revenue. Sports betting followed, generating 39 percent of the GWR. Poker and other products contributed 3 percent and 2 percent to the total, respectively.

The business declared a profit after tax of £31.4 million, marking a substantial 22.7 percent increase from Q1 2023.

CEO Andén commented on the company’s solid start to 2024, with business operations performing well and operational initiatives progressing as planned. He mentioned the headcount reduction plans announced at the end of the previous year were progressing as intended, and the North America exit is set to conclude towards the end of the second quarter this year.

The growth plan launched during the fourth quarter of the previous year, focusing on Europe and Australia, continues at pace with dedicated strategic growth projects across locally regulated markets. Andén also expressed excitement for the upcoming summer of sports, including the UEFA Euros, the Copa America, and the Paris Olympics.

Looking beyond the end of the quarter, the business provided a trading update up to and including 21 April. The average daily gross winnings revenue for the group was £3.5 million during the period, 6 percent ahead of the daily average in Q2 2023. Excluding North America, gross winnings revenue was up 8 percent year-on-year.

The operator’s sports betting margin after free bets for the period was 11.3 percent, in line with Q2 2023 but ahead of the group’s long-term average of 9.8 percent.

The company continues to The deal was approved by the Swedish Financial Market Supervisory Authority in February, but still requires several regulatory approvals before going ahead, as well as amendments to Kindred’s articles of association.