For the Eastern land-based casino vertical, 2026 could be a period of significant strengthening and market share gains. Nevertheless, revenue growth does not necessarily require expansion into new jurisdictions. The decisive factor is developing digital engagement with local audiences.
This assessment belongs to Shaun McCamley, an industry specialist with rich experience in the ground, web, and F2P casino sectors. He believes that for offline operators, 2026 is more about consolidation. The next competitive advantage will depend on how effectively niche venues can connect their offline presence with online customer engagement channels.
You can receive professional advice on development in various jurisdictions and order a turnkey industry business from the Casino Market studio.
Oriental Land-Based Gambling: Trajectory Changes
One of the most notable shifts for the regional segment was the decision by Thai authorities to withdraw the bill legalising casino resorts. According to Mr McCamley, this move can signify the emergence of a more robust and sophisticated legal framework for the entire sphere.
For operators already running a gambling business in Asia, the focus on geographic expansion is fading. Instead, they orient towards more precisely addressing audience expectations and developing additional interaction variants.
Offerings are increasingly integrating, revealing new hybrid projects:
- digital F2P formats focused on long-term engagement with players;
- loyalty programs built around values, cultural identity, and a public mission;
- social and image-building events that strengthen ties with the local community, etc.
Propositions outside ground casinos are no longer perceived as an auxiliary marketing channel. This model is gradually becoming a core element of operations. Its absence directly impacts finances. Without involving monetary bets, social online entertainment is not subject to traditional regulatory restrictions in many jurisdictions.
Supporters of such content note that it achieves several strategic objectives:
- enhances brand loyalty and awareness;
- encourages regular return visits to brick-and-mortar locations;
- increases audience engagement in charitable initiatives organised by casino owners.
Commenting on this trend, Mr McCamley noted that operators who ignore digital touchpoints risk losing younger and mid-tier customers. These visitors will inevitably migrate to alternative amusement ecosystems, even in countries where the internet vertical remains limited or formally forbidden.
As a result, social digital options are becoming an element of sustainability for land-based projects. Such channels help venues smooth out seasonal declines in activity and maintain stable audience interest.
The Philippines and the UAE: Development Approaches
Let us list the fundamental notions worth knowing about the Philippine market:
- Legal status. The state remains the only Asian jurisdiction with a fully regulated web sector. All key digital formats, from internet slots and card tournaments to social entertainment portals, are officially available in the country.
- Regulatory imbalance. The sphere faced a significant challenge when, in August 2025, the national central bank forced all financial institutions to remove direct links to gambling content. This requirement has complicated the interaction between the payment infrastructure and online operators.
- Expert opinion. Assessing the situation, Daniel Cheng, a renowned analyst for the APAC casino vertical, noted that the local market is undergoing a correction phase. The regulatory program has not yet reached full capacity, but the country is already facing a sharp increase in gambling positions and signs of oversaturation.
The situation in the UAE is fundamentally different. Essential facts:
- Digital debut. At the end of 2025, the Emirates’ first online betting and casino platforms, managed by Momentum Group, were launched. This occasion became a significant milestone in the legalisation of the national sector.
- Further focus. In 2026, global attention to this market is expected to continue growing, not only in the web segment but also in the offline vertical. The opening of the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort is scheduled for Q1 2027. Its owner has invested $5.1 billion in the project.
- Expert opinion. According to Ben Lee, IGamiX’s Managing Partner, 2 more licences for physical complex construction in the UAE are expected to be announced soon. This event could spark a renewed interest from international investors. Flexible regulation and political stability create the conditions for the state to eventually become the 2nd-largest gambling hub in the world.
As for Macau, the 1st-biggest destination, Mr Lee does not expect any significant legal changes or structural shifts in 2026. He believes the territory will retain its status as the only place in China where gaming is systematically permitted.
Liberalisation in Vietnam and Japan’s Protractions
At the end of 2025, Vietnam took a significant step toward industry legalisation by approving participation in real-money entertainment sessions for wealthy individuals. This 5-year pilot program is currently limited to 3 land-based facilities.
2026 will be a significant year for the country. It will determine whether its market can move beyond a model focused primarily on foreign tourists and develop into a fully-fledged jurisdiction.
As for the gambling business in Japan, the local authorities are moving more cautiously toward liberalisation. The 2nd round of applications for integrated casino resorts is planned for no earlier than May 2027.
According to Mr Cheng, the national industry currently evokes more scepticism than enthusiasm among its experts. Political factors will continue to play a leading role, and investors will face resistance from local communities and extremely strict measures to prevent ludomania.
For now, all pilot initiatives in the country have been suspended. The exception is the MGM Osaka project, the only integrated complex already underway and scheduled to open in 2030.
The Main Things About Asia’s Gaming Markets in 2026
Oriental jurisdictions are developing along unique trajectories, significantly different from those in Latin America or Africa. Cultural peculiarities, societal attitudes toward gambling, and regulators’ cautious approach play a decisive role.
In 2026, the following gaming hubs will continue attracting the greatest interest from global investors:
- the United Arab Emirates;
- the Philippines;
- Vietnam.
Several jurisdictions are seeing a gradual liberalisation trend. Access to amusement formats is becoming broader, and ground projects are increasingly strengthening their digital channels. In this environment, success in the Eastern realm depends on in-depth knowledge of local specifics, impeccable compliance, and the ability to maintain sustainable operations.
When entering the Asian region, feel free to contact our managers for professional support, regulatory risk evaluation, and a smooth turnkey platform launch.
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