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MGM Resorts International’s ambitious plan to open Japan’s first regulated casino resort in Osaka by 2030 may face another setback. According to reports from Japanese media, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which oversees Expo 2025, has requested a six-month pause in construction on MGM’s integrated resort (IR) during the event.   

The Expo is set to take place on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay from April to October 2025, and officials fear that ongoing construction could disrupt the aesthetics and operations of the World Fair.  

This potential pause in construction adds to a series of delays and challenges that have plagued the Osaka IR project. Originally, MGM hoped to complete the resort in time for Expo 2025, positioning it to capitalise on the influx of tourists expected during the event. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent bureaucratic hurdles have pushed the opening date to 2030. A six-month halt in construction could delay the project even further, possibly extending the timeline into 2031.  

Such delays could significantly impact the project’s financial outlook. The resort, which already carries a hefty price tag of $9.1 billion, (€8.3 billion) may see further cost increases due to the prolonged construction timeline. MGM’s CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, recently expressed optimism about the project during a Q2 earnings call, stating that construction was “moving along nicely.” However, his comments were made before the BIE requested a construction pause, which could alter the projected timeline and financial expectations.  

The delay in Osaka could also have broader regional implications. Thailand, which is actively advancing its own gaming regulations, aims to establish a competing integrated resort before MGM’s Osaka project is completed. If MGM’s opening is pushed back due to the construction pause, Thailand could launch its casino operations first, gaining early momentum in the regional market.  

The Osaka IR project, which represents Japan’s first foray into legalised casino gaming, has been seen as a significant opportunity for MGM Resorts International. Despite the challenges, the company remains committed to the project. However, as construction timelines and costs continue to fluctuate, the road to opening day in Osaka remains uncertain.  

Local media also reported that Osaka’s governor, Hirofumi Yoshimura, and Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama are expected to meet with MGM officials soon to discuss the implications of the BIE’s request. This meeting will be crucial in determining the future of the Osaka IR project and its timeline. The outcome of these discussions will likely influence whether MGM can maintain its target opening date of 2030 or if further delays will push the project into the following decade.??

The Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macau, Lei Wai Nong, shared that as of June, residents hold 90.3 percent of intermediate or senior management positions at the city’s gaming concessionaires, surpassing the required threshold of 85 percent. During a session at the Legislative Assembly (AL), Lei highlighted this achievement as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to boost local employment within the gaming sector.  

According to a report by Macau Business, Lei also noted that the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) has been collaborating with gaming operators to implement an “Employment + Training” plan, designed to offer professional development opportunities for residents. The plan has already seen 21 initiatives launched, with 379 residents successfully beginning their roles.  

Despite this progress, the session also saw Lei come under fire from lawmakers who expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of labour-related illegalities. According to the report of the Macau Daily Times, Lawmaker Nick Lei was particularly vocal, criticising the Secretary for failing to address the persistent issue of illegal work in Macau. Nick Lei accused the government of being reactive rather than proactive. He also highlighted the prevalence of illegal services such as unauthorised photography and driving, which are often advertised online and go unchecked by authorities.  

In response, a representative from Lei Wai Nong’s team mentioned that the Public Security Police Force (PSP) has been conducting inspections to combat illegal work. However, these efforts were deemed insufficient by lawmakers, who demanded more robust actions.   

The session also addressed broader labour concerns, particularly regarding the treatment of non-resident workers (TNRs) by companies. Lawmaker Ron Lam cited a recent case involving luxury retailer DFS, where employees were pressured to take unpaid leave. Lam questioned the government’s approach to regulating companies that exploit TNRs while maintaining local workers in precarious positions. He also called for greater transparency in the disclosure of TNR numbers and job categories to ensure a fair hiring process.  

In response, Lei Wai Nong mentioned that the government would reevaluate the quotas for companies found violating labour laws, but lawmakers remained sceptical about the effectiveness of these measures.  

While the government’s success in increasing local employment in the gaming sector was acknowledged, lawmakers continue to press for stronger actions against illegal work and labour violations in Macau.?

A probe into the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) has unearthed allegations that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may have overstepped his executive powers, encroaching on the legislative authority of Congress. ?

During a committee hearing in the House of Representatives, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro highlighted concerns that Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) No. 13, which termed online gaming and allowed POGOs to flourish in the country, constituted a legislative act—something exclusively within the purview of Congress.?

Luistro pointed out that EO No. 13 was the first instance where the term “online gaming” was officially mentioned in a presidential order, a term not found in the existing legal framework established by Presidential Decree No. 1869 and Republic Act No. 9487, which extended the franchise of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). “The term ‘online gaming’ was never mentioned in PD 1869 as well as in RA 9487,” she noted, raising concerns that the executive branch might have encroached upon the legislative powers of Congress. 

Atty. Harry Roque, who served as Duterte’s spokesperson, was called upon to provide his perspective. Roque, however, explained that his role as spokesperson was primarily to communicate the President’s decisions to the public, not to challenge them. “I could not actually countermand him. I could not correct him. He is my principal,” Roque emphasised, clarifying that his position did not entail influencing the President’s legal decisions.?

When asked if he believed that Duterte’s EO No. 13 overstepped the bounds of executive authority, Roque maintained that all executive issuances are presumed constitutional unless successfully challenged in court.  

“Under our scheme of things, executive issuances, [and] legislative enactments are all presumed to be constitutional unless proven otherwise,” he stated. This position underscores the presumption of legality that typically accompanies executive orders, leaving their constitutionality to be determined by judicial review. 

Luistro further argued that Duterte’s EO No. 13 might have violated the separation of powers by effectively creating a new law — an action that constitutionally belongs to Congress. “When the [former] President issued Executive Order No. 13, it is the humble submission of this representation, he legislated, he amended, he repealed the law, an act which violates the fundamental principle of separation of power,” she asserted, highlighting the potential constitutional conflict arising from the executive order.?

Executive Order No. 13, issued during Duterte’s presidency, aimed to clarify the regulation of online gaming in the Philippines, an industry that has since become both economically significant and controversial. The order expanded the oversight functions of the Office of the President to include online gaming, a move that critics argue circumvented existing laws governing PAGCOR’s authority. 

Luistro’s critique of EO No. 13 centred on the idea that it introduced new regulatory measures without the explicit approval of Congress, thereby undermining the legislative process. She reiterated that procedural laws should always defer to substantive laws, emphasising that the executive branch should not unilaterally extend its regulatory reach without legislative backing. 

Last month, Senator Risa Hontiveros cast doubt on Duterte’s ties to POGOs. Hontiveros highlighted the possibility of a deeper connection between Duterte and POGOs, pointing out that Michael Yang, Duterte’s former adviser, might have links to several POGO companies. 

In July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the total ban of POGOs in the country. He instructed PAGCOR to wind down and cease operations of all POGOs, legal and illegal, by the end of the year.?

Marcos’ decision came after many high-profile cases and investigations linked to POGOs have come to light. The operations of POGOs in the Philippines are linked to crimes such as human trafficking, forcible abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnap-for-ransom, theft, and robbery-extortion.?

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to introduce a new four-point line in the upcoming season, a move that has sparked a significant debate. This change is expected to have a big impact on the game, particularly for players like Marcio Lassiter, who is on the verge of breaking Jimmy Alapag’s record of 1,250 career three-pointers.

Lassiter, a veteran player for San Miguel Beer, is currently third on the all-time list, behind Alapag and Allan Caidic, who has 1,242 triples to his name. The introduction of the four-point line, which measures 27 feet, has raised questions about how records will be interpreted if the league decides to remove it after the experimental period.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has clarified that, in his opinion, a four-point shot would count as a three. This statement was made during a PBA Media Day interview with Lassiter. The question of how a four-pointer would count if Lassiter, who has 1,236 career triples, makes one, was first raised by Alex Cabagnot, Lassiter’s former teammate.

Despite the uncertainty, Lassiter has decided to focus on breaking Alapag’s record using the traditional three-point line. He stated, “For me, I’m gonna stick to the three-point line first and try to get that taken care of. It’s not gonna be easy, but I will focus on that first and I’ll venture out to that four-point land [later].”

The introduction of the four-point line also raises questions about how statistics will be tabulated by the league. Genius Sports, a global stats company partnering with FIBA for its FIBA Live Stats, cannot add the four-point category to its statistics, prompting the PBA to search for a local provider.

As the PBA sets off with this experimental period, players, teams, and fans alike are curious to see how the new dynamics will affect gameplay. Lassiter, like many others, is intrigued by the prospect of attempting a four-point shot, stating, “The four-point shot is gonna be something different for all of us, especially myself. I don’t usually take those, but I do make a few of those.” The upcoming season promises to be an exciting time for Philippine basketball as it introduces these new changes.

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