Shifting Gears: Asian Casinos Move from Expansion to Consolidation in 2026

The year 2026 may mark a period of notable strengthening and market share growth for the Eastern offline casino segment. However, expanding into new jurisdictions is not essential for revenue increase. The key lies in building digital engagement with local audiences.

This view is shared by Shaun McCamley, an industry expert with extensive experience across the land-based, online, and free-to-play casino verticals. He argues that for offline operators, 2026 will be more about consolidation. The next competitive edge will depend on how effectively ground facilities can integrate their physical presence with digital customer engagement channels.

Offline Gaming in the East: Changing Vectors

One of the most significant updates in the regional sector was the Thai government’s decision to withdraw the draft law legalising casino resorts. Mr McCamley interprets this step as a signal that a more advanced and carefully structured regulatory framework for the entire industry may emerge.

For gambling operators already established in Asia, the emphasis on territorial expansion is diminishing. Instead, the priority is to refine how they meet audience expectations and to create new interaction options.

The industry’s propositions are actively integrating, giving rise to hybrid projects such as:

• web free-to-play formats designed for sustained player engagement;
• loyalty programmes centred on values, cultural identity and public missions;
• social and image-building events that reinforce connections with the local community.

Offerings beyond brick-and-mortar casinos are no longer viewed as supplementary marketing tools. Instead, this model is increasingly becoming a core operational component. Its lack directly affects financial performance. Since social online entertainment does not involve monetary wagering, it remains outside conventional regulatory constraints in many regions.

Advocates of this type of content emphasise that it fulfils several strategic goals:

• strengthening brand loyalty and recognition;
• encouraging repeat visits to physical venues;
• boosting audience participation in charitable projects organised by operators.

Commenting on the trend, Mr McCamley warned that business owners neglecting digital touchpoints risk losing younger and mid-tier clients. Such customers will inevitably shift to alternative entertainment ecosystems, even in markets where iGaming remains restricted or officially prohibited.

Consequently, social digital formats are becoming a pillar of sustainability for brick-and-mortar venues, enabling them to offset seasonal downturns in activity and uphold consistent audience interest.

The Philippines and the UAE: Analysing Development Trajectories

Key facts about the Philippine market:

1. Legal framework. Currently, the country is the only Asian jurisdiction with a fully lawful online gambling niche. All major web formats, from digital slots and card tournaments to social amusement platforms, are formally permitted in the state.
2. Regulatory imbalance. A notable disruption occurred in August 2025, when the national central bank required financial organisations to cut direct links to entertainment content. This measure has complicated the relationship between payment systems and web operators.
3. Expert insight. According to Daniel Cheng, a well-known analyst for the APAC casino segment, the local market is currently undergoing a correction stage. The regulatory programme has yet to reach full maturity, while the state is already experiencing rapid growth in gambling positions and early signs of oversaturation.

The UAE presents a markedly different scenario. Core information about the market:

1. Online debut. In late 2025, the first digital betting and casino portals were launched in the Emirates under the management of Momentum Group, marking a substantial milestone in the legalisation of the national industry.
2. Future outlook. Global interest in this market is expected to intensify throughout 2026, spanning both online and land-based segments. A major highlight will be the opening of the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Q1 2027. Its owner has invested $5.1 billion in the facility.
3. Expert perspective. IGamiX’s Managing Partner, Ben Lee, anticipates that 2 additional licences for the construction of ground complexes in the UAE will be announced in the near future. This occasion has the potential to reignite international investors’ interest. The combination of flexible regulation and political stability creates an environment conducive to the country's emergence as the world's 2nd-biggest gambling hub.

Regarding the 1st-largest destination, Macau, Mr Lee foresees no major legal or structural updates in 2026. He expects the territory to preserve its position as China’s sole jurisdiction where gaming is systematically permitted.

Contrasting Paths: Legalisation in Vietnam, Protraction in Japan

By the end of 2025, Vietnam had made a notable step towards liberalisation of the sphere by authorising participation in RMG sessions for affluent customers. As of now, this 5-year trial scheme is restricted to 3 physical venues.

The year 2026 will be decisive, as it will demonstrate whether the market can evolve beyond a model centred predominantly on foreign tourists and transform into a mature jurisdiction.

As for Japan, progress towards legalisation is far more cautious. The 2nd round of applications for integrated casino resorts is not expected before May 2027.

According to Mr Cheng, the domestic sector currently faces more scepticism than optimism among specialists. Political considerations will remain dominant, while investors are likely to encounter opposition from local communities, along with stringent measures to prevent gambling addiction.

At present, all pilot projects in Japan have been halted, except for MGM Osaka — the state’s sole integrated resort under construction, scheduled to open in 2030.

The Main Things About Asia’s Gambling Markets in 2026

Eastern jurisdictions are evolving along distinct paths, markedly different from those in Latin America or Africa. Cultural specifics, public attitudes towards gambling, and the cautious stance of regulatory authorities play a decisive role.

In 2026, the following markets are expected to draw the strongest interest from international investors:

• Vietnam;
• the Philippines;
• the United Arab Emirates.

A gradual trend towards liberalisation is evident across several countries. Access to entertainment formats is expanding, while land-based projects are actively reinforcing their online presence. In this context, success in the Eastern industry depends on a profound understanding of local peculiarities, flawless regulatory compliance, and the ability to ensure stable, long-term operations.