Anutin Charnvirakul's re-election as Thailand's prime minister reportedly leaves no prospect of casino legalisation during his term. The previous government's plan for five casinos was halted after its fall, and the casino bill has been shelved; Melco had opened a Bangkok office in preparation for a licensing campaign.
The shelved bill and Anutin's stated opposition weaken the near-term prospect of a regulated Thai casino market.
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MGM Resorts International executives said their Osaka casino resort, now under construction in Japan, could become a major competitor to Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. CFO Jonathan Halkyard said it could be the largest and most successful integrated resort globally since Marina Bay Sands; CEO Bill Hornbuckle said the project could generate cash flow of up to $2 billion.
J.P. Morgan analyst Daniel Politzer favoured Las Vegas Sands and DraftKings ahead of fourth-quarter earnings, while taking a cautious view of the wider gaming sector. He forecast $626 million in fourth-quarter Macau cash flow for Sands and $723 million in Singapore, and said comparisons would become harder in the second half of 2026.
Citizens analyst Jordan Bender said the US midterm election results could influence gaming companies. In Texas, Vicki Goodwin won the lieutenant governor race and supports a public vote on casinos and sports betting; Nebraska voters rejected two measures that would have legalised online sports betting. Bender said Amy Acton's Ohio victory may ease the path to igaming legalisation, though Republicans hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers.
Texas election results could alter the prospects for casino and sports betting legislation, but legalization still requires substantial bipartisan support to reach voters. The report says incoming lieutenant governor Vikki Goodwin supports letting voters decide, while incoming governor Gina Hinojosa voted against gambling proposals in 2023.
Vikki Goodwin, a Democrat, upset longtime Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday, a result the report calls particularly significant. Patrick blocked multiple efforts to broaden gambling in Texas, pointing to moral and social grounds. The report says Patrick's loss may renew hopes among gambling supporters about legalization.
Texas lieutenant governor-elect Vikki Goodwin said she would support legislation allowing casino resorts if voters in the state wanted them. Her comments come after she defeated incumbent Dan Patrick in the election; the article also reports that Texas governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has not stated a similarly explicit position on casinos.
Goodwin told Casino.org that she would embrace legislation allowing casino resorts in Texas. Goodwin defeated Patrick on Election Day, becoming the first Democratic lieutenant governor of Texas in nearly three decades.