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Crown casino troubles result in Melco not buying James Packer’s shares
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Lawrence Ho and his Melco Resorts have decided to keep their plans to purchase shares of the Crown casino on hold, while the scandal and the investigation on the illegal activities of the casino remain under question. The Hong Kong casino magnate was supposed to purchase James Packer’s shares of the crown casino in order to start expanding their portfolio into a more international one. But, with the ongoing investigation, they have decided to put the plans on hold until further notice.
The Hong Kong side has also said that the trade could be altogether canceled if the investigation results in the decision that the trade deal between the two sides would be unacceptable.
The announcement was made on Wednesday and has been one of the many results of the investigation spearheaded by a number of media companies within Australia. The investigation uncovered that Crown casino was involved with junket companies that are backed by Asian crime gangs and Chinese foreign influence agents. This has caused the launch of an investigation by the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority and is releasing terms of reference. While the investigation into Crown casino and its operations continue, there is seemingly no negative effect on the industry in general. The demand for Australian casino games is growing, and the industry remains as healthy as always, despite the investigation. But there are certain deals and aspects outside of Australia that the investigation will be concerning.
Within the context of this illegal operation, the sale of the stakes has come under investigation as well. Within the context of the investigation, the father of Melco’s owner, Stanley Ho is under suspicion of having ties to Asian gangs and that the sale might be related to the illegal junket operations. Melco had agreed to the purchase of a stake that is worth around $1.7 billion, with the first 10 percent transfer happening before September 30th.
The current effects of the fallout
The Melco Resorts company has released a statement on the Nasdaq exchange. In the statement the company said that it had agreed with Consolidated Press Holdings to extend the possibility of the deal going through by another 60 days. A representative from CHP announced that they did not consider there was much a breach of an agreement or any law broken. According to them, all of the steps that they had agreed on with Melco had already been taking. But the agreement also has clauses that would result in the deal not going through at all.
Melco did not specify what they would be doing with the 10 percent that they had already purchased from Crown, but the situation might be complicated for them already.
When Crown was granted the license to create their $2 billion casinos by 2021 in Sydney, the casino was given a list of individuals and casinos that it would not be allowed to work with. Stanley Ho, the owner of Melco, was one of the individuals that were part of the original list. The list was made public recently and includes a casino that Stanley Ho owns, and Crown casino has dealt with extensively.
One more company that Crown was not allowed to interact with, the Great Respect Limited, is a 20 percent owner of Melco International. That is the company the Mr. Ho is the chair of, and which has a controlling stake in Melco Resorts, which is the one purchasing stake in Crown. This has put the entire company in a very precarious situation.
The current inquiry is thus important in determining the extent to which the company has managed to breach the terms of the agreement, beyond simply breaking the law. There is no specific time frame for the investigation.
Melco and Crown have been partners in the past, but the partnership was canceled after 19 individuals of the Crown staff were arrested on gambling-related charges.
The two companies were planning to increase their partnership further, but for now, the deal is on hold. It seems that James Packer is to remain the largest shareholder of the casino for now.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Crown casino troubles result in Melco not buying James Packer’s shares
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GGPoker Launches Online Poker Millionaires – A New Docuseries Showcasing The High-Stakes Online Poker World Of GGPoker
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Online Poker Millionaires Episode 1 to premiere on GGPoker’s YouTube channel this Wednesday, November 12
GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, is excited to launch Online Poker Millionaires, a new docuseries that takes viewers inside the world of high-stakes online poker. The series trailer will go live on GGPoker’s official YouTube channel on Monday, November 10, with Episode 1 featuring Alex Theologis made available on Wednesday, November 12.
Series Description
Online Poker Millionaires is produced in association with POKERfilms and reveals how the game’s most dedicated players turn a laptop, ambition, and discipline into real financial success. Online poker isn’t just a game – for some, it can be a path to financial success, where real money and real careers are built at GGPoker.
Each episode follows a different high-stakes player, uncovering the mindset, routines, and drive required to compete for life-changing prizes from behind the screen. The debut episode features Alex Theologis – a GGMillion$ and WSOP champion with over $9 million in GGPoker tournament earnings – offering an unfiltered look at the grind, preparation, and passion that define one of online poker’s most respected professionals.
Launch Week Schedule
- Monday, November 10 at 17:00 UTC | 12:00 EST: Official Trailer Launch on GGPoker’s YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/@GGPoker
- Tuesday, November 11: GGMillion$ live broadcast – Alex Theologis joins Jeff Gross as guest commentator at 18:15 UTC
- Wednesday, November 12 at 17:00 UTC | 12:00 EST: Online Poker Millionaires Episode 1 Premiere exclusively on GGPoker’s YouTube Channel
- Thursday, November 13: Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) with Alex Theologis on r/poker, discussing the making of the episode and his online poker journey
“Online poker let me build a life I never thought was possible when I started out,” said Alex Theologis, online poker professional. “It’s tough sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade this job for anything. I just want people who watch Online Poker Millionaires to get a real, honest look at what it means to be a professional player.”
Mike Bailey, Director of Online Poker Millionaires, added: “When GGPoker approached me to create Online Poker Millionaires, I felt empowered; I wanted to show viewers the real people living real lives behind the monitors. These high-stakes pros may not care for the limelight, but I felt it was important to be able to highlight the talent and dedication that goes on behind closed doors on a daily basis.”
To be ready to catch every moment of the upcoming Online Poker Millionaires, please subscribe to GGPoker’s official YouTube channel at GGPoker.TV.
The post GGPoker Launches Online Poker Millionaires – A New Docuseries Showcasing The High-Stakes Online Poker World Of GGPoker appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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19 Nations Set to Compete in MLBB at The World Esports Championships 2025 in Malaysia
Reading Time: < 1 minute
The International Esports Federation (IESF) proudly announces the 19 nations set to compete in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) at the 16th World Esports Championships (WEC25), hosted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This year’s MLBB competitions will see teams from Egypt, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Iran, Türkiye, Belarus, Romania, Uzbekistan, and host nation Malaysia come together in the spirit of unity, passion, and competition.
From South America to Central Asia, and from Europe to Southeast Asia, the World Esports family will once again gather under one banner, celebrating the values that define the IESF: inclusivity, integrity, and the joy of play.
“Each year, the World Esports Championships bring together athletes and fans who share the same dream, to connect, to compete, and to grow,” said Boban Totovski, IESF General Secretary. “We’re proud to see Mobile Legends: Bang Bang continue to bridge cultures and inspire players around the world. Malaysia will be an incredible stage for this year’s competition.”
The WEC25 MLBB tournament will shine a spotlight on both rising stars and champions, with every nation bringing its own story, its own energy, and its own pride to the world stage.
As the host country, Malaysia is ready to welcome the world with open arms, offering a unique blend of culture, passionate fans, and an esports scene that continues to grow year after year. WEC25 will once again prove that esports is more than a game, it’s a moment where nations unite, athletes rise, and communities grow stronger together.
The post 19 Nations Set to Compete in MLBB at The World Esports Championships 2025 in Malaysia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Sterling Lotteries selects Yaspa as its primary open banking payments partner
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Yaspa, the award-winning Pay by Bank fintech, today announced a new partnership with Sterling Lotteries, the UK’s market-leading External Lottery Manager (ELM). Sterling has selected Yaspa as its primary open banking payments provider for prize-led fundraising, enabling faster, safer, and more efficient supporter payments across its charity lottery programmes.
Sterling powers weekly lotteries and raffles for 800+ UK charities, from local organisations to national causes. By integrating Yaspa, Sterling can offer a streamlined Pay by Bank experience that confirms entries in real-time, reduces processing costs, and strengthens fraud protection, thereby freeing up more funds for impact.
Yaspa’s Head of Commercial, Amie Kadhim, said: “Sterling sets a high bar for reliability, security, and supporter experience. We’re proud to power their next chapter with instant bank payments that help charities move faster, enhance engagement, and achieve more with every donation.”
The partnership aligns with Sterling’s ongoing modernisation of the charity lottery model, bringing the convenience supporters expect, while improving cashflow and operational efficiency for fundraising teams. Entry confirmation is immediate and funds settle instantly, helping charities plan with confidence and reduce admin overheads.
Richard Dixon, Managing Director at Sterling, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Yaspa to deliver an open banking solution that represents a true sector-first innovation. From the outset, it was clear that Yaspa shares Sterling’s vision for using technology to drive meaningful change in the charity lottery space. Open banking has transformed retail and financial services and now we’re bringing that same innovation to fundraising. It’s faster, more secure, and significantly more cost-effective for charities. By harnessing open banking, we offer charities a bold, efficient, and future-proof way to engage supporters, especially digital-first donors who expect a seamless experience.”
Key benefits for Sterling and its charity partners include:
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Instant payment settlement and immediate entry confirmation
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Lower processing costs compared with traditional methods i.e. debit and credit cards
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Reduced fraud and chargeback risk, utilising bank-grade security
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A smoother, mobile-first, user journey for supporters
The post Sterling Lotteries selects Yaspa as its primary open banking payments partner appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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