The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority named Ciarán Carruthers as its chief executive, succeeding Kevin Mullally. Chairman Jim Murren had held the role on an interim basis; Carruthers most recently led Crown Resorts from September 2022 to November 2024, the report said.
The appointment places a new chief executive at the authority overseeing commercial gaming in the UAE.
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Macau’s DICJ approved new baccarat side bets, and all six concessionaires have introduced at least one option, according to Citigroup analysts. They estimated the bets’ house advantage at 16% to 18%, compared with about 1% for Banker and Player bets, but said most players may not yet have encountered the new wagers.
Macau gaming revenue rose 14.4% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, while the quarter-on-quarter figure fell 0.3%, according to government data cited in the report. Seaport Research Partners expects growth to slow during the rest of the year and estimates EBITDA growth of 9% alongside a 30-basis-point decline in margins. The brokerage also expects operating expenditure to increase by 6% to 7% in 2026.
Macau’s gaming sector is expected to grow EBITDA by about 8% year on year in Q1 2026, according to Citigroup analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau. Gross gaming revenue reached MOP65.87 billion, up 14%, while VIP performance and hold rates weighed on margins. Citigroup expects Sands China to record the strongest operator EBITDA growth, at about 20%.
Citigroup’s monthly survey of Macau table games reported that average premium mass wagers rose 17% year on year to HK$20,689 per hand, while the number of players fell 16%. It also found mass baccarat minimum bets increased 3% to HK$2,028 across Macau, with Cotai up 6% and the peninsula down 7%; these are survey findings and analyst views.
It was reported that UAE regulator GCGRA appointed Dr Ahmad Hesham as general counsel and board secretary. He joins the leadership after Ciarán Carruthers became permanent chief executive the previous month.