Singapore is betting heavily on mass market players to give its sputtering gaming industry a push amid China’s anti-corruption drive and economic slowdown.

The Financial Times reported the big casinos in Singapore are looking for other growth drivers in order to cushion the impact of the slowing Beijing economic growth as well as to shore up profits. Analysts say that casinos are attempting to shift away from the VIP business to focus more on mass market gamblers.

That’s why Singapore’s Resorts World, which recently announced that it was cutting staff in its gaming business to stay relevant in the challenging market, is enticing new customers through its newly-opened restaurant, which showcases different Michelin-star chef weekly.

Records showed that net profit at Resorts World’s operator Genting Singapore, which is controlled by Malaysia’s Lim family, fell 70 per cent last year to S$193 million (US$143.99 million), the smallest profit since the casino opened in 2010.

Blockchain’s fan base has just gotten bigger.

Two more countries are set to adopt the technology that supports the popular digital currency bitcoin into their own banking systems, albeit with different goals.

The Bank of Canada announced last week that it is testing how the blockchain technology can be used for interbank payments. But the Canadian central bank stressed that “it has no plans” to come up with a digitized version of the Canadian dollar.

Blockchain, as we all know, makes use of cryptography to create a distributed ledger system to hold and spend money in a more open, transparent and flexible manner compared to the traditional bank or credit card companies.

Blockchain’s fan base has just gotten bigger.

Two more countries are set to adopt the technology that supports the popular digital currency bitcoin into their own banking systems, albeit with different goals.

The Bank of Canada announced last week that it is testing how the blockchain technology can be used for interbank payments. But the Canadian central bank stressed that “it has no plans” to come up with a digitized version of the Canadian dollar.

Blockchain, as we all know, makes use of cryptography to create a distributed ledger system to hold and spend money in a more open, transparent and flexible manner compared to the traditional bank or credit card companies.

Chinese gamers will have more fun in the Philippines with relaxed visa rules.

This is the belief of Melco Crown Philippines Resorts Corp. (MCP) Chief Operating Officer Geoffry Andres as the executive calls on the Philippine government to ease the visa norms for Chinese tourists.

Andres lamented how the “cumbersome” visa rules have prevented mainland Chinese high rollers from coming to the island nation amid the ongoing corruption crackdown launched by the Chinese government.

He told local reporters at the sidelines of MCP’s shareholders meeting in Manila last Monday that the Philippines barely tapped the mainland Chinese market despite the continued exodus of Chinese gamers from Macau, the world’s biggest gaming hub.

European Parliament member, and former pro poker player, Tony G, has challenged the United Kingdom Independence Party leader, Nigel Farage, to a £1m charitable Brexit bet.

Politics? I’m a Linda Ronstadt lyric – I don’t know much. When people talk about the left and right wings, I think about Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. When I hear the term Brexit, it sounds like a theme park owned by Lego.

My wife says I should learn more about politics and today I feel like a bit of a mug for not listening. On Thursday, the people of the UK will vote on whether or not they should remain in the European Union (EU), and I haven’t registered to vote.

I would have voted ‘REMAIN’. Nigel Farage, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) Leader, and a member of the European Parliament for South East England, posted a video of him betting £1,000 on ‘LEAVE’ in Ladbrokes.

European Parliament member, and former pro poker player, Tony G, has challenged the United Kingdom Independence Party leader, Nigel Farage, to a £1m charitable Brexit bet.

Politics? I’m a Linda Ronstadt lyric – I don’t know much. When people talk about the left and right wings, I think about Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. When I hear the term Brexit, it sounds like a theme park owned by Lego.

My wife says I should learn more about politics and today I feel like a bit of a mug for not listening. On Thursday, the people of the UK will vote on whether or not they should remain in the European Union (EU), and I haven’t registered to vote.

I would have voted ‘REMAIN’. Nigel Farage, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) Leader, and a member of the European Parliament for South East England, posted a video of him betting £1,000 on ‘LEAVE’ in Ladbrokes.

Our review from the World Series of Poker brings you news of a second bracelet of the summer for Ian Johns, a record-breaking Seniors Event, and Jason Mercier leads the Player of the Year race.

Ian Johns is finding gold bracelets at the rate a Beaver finds wood. The 31-year old, who divides his time between Seattle and Las Vegas, has become the second man to win two bracelets this summer. Jason Mercier is the other magnet of gold.

Johns won his first bracelet in Event #8: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E, and he won his second by defeating 110 entrants in Event #28: $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship. He has now won over $500,000 at this year’s festival – not bad for a man who rarely plays tournament poker. It was his 20th WSOP cash, 5th final table, and 3rd career bracelet (he also won a $3k Limit Hold’em event back in 2006).

When asked why he didn’t play No-Limit Hold’em events by WSOP reporters after his win, he answered with beautiful honesty when he said: “I used to play, but these guys passed me by aeons ago. I get in the game, and I don’t know what I am doing.”

Our review from the World Series of Poker brings you news of a second bracelet of the summer for Ian Johns, a record-breaking Seniors Event, and Jason Mercier leads the Player of the Year race.

Ian Johns is finding gold bracelets at the rate a Beaver finds wood. The 31-year old, who divides his time between Seattle and Las Vegas, has become the second man to win two bracelets this summer. Jason Mercier is the other magnet of gold.

Johns won his first bracelet in Event #8: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E, and he won his second by defeating 110 entrants in Event #28: $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship. He has now won over $500,000 at this year’s festival – not bad for a man who rarely plays tournament poker. It was his 20th WSOP cash, 5th final table, and 3rd career bracelet (he also won a $3k Limit Hold’em event back in 2006).

When asked why he didn’t play No-Limit Hold’em events by WSOP reporters after his win, he answered with beautiful honesty when he said: “I used to play, but these guys passed me by aeons ago. I get in the game, and I don’t know what I am doing.”

Australian betting operator Tabcorp is holding talks with the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) over the future of the NZ TAB’s fixed-odds betting business.

On Monday, NZRB spokesperson Kate Gourdie confirmed that the state-owned betting agency was in talks with Tabcorp and two other unnamed companies about “automating” the NZ TAB’s fixed-odds division.

Earlier this year, the NZRB warned that its costs were rising at a rate that was “not sustainable” due to Kiwi punters opting to wager online with internationally licensed betting operators that offered better odds and a wider variety of betting options. The NZRB suggested “outsourcing or partnering” some aspects of its operations might be more cost-effective.

Gourdie declined to offer specifics regarding the possible role of Tabcorp or the other two contenders in running the TAB’s business. Gourdie said it was “far too early for us to discuss potential solutions when we don’t know what the final option will be.”

Australian betting operator Tabcorp is holding talks with the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) over the future of the NZ TAB’s fixed-odds betting business.

On Monday, NZRB spokesperson Kate Gourdie confirmed that the state-owned betting agency was in talks with Tabcorp and two other unnamed companies about “automating” the NZ TAB’s fixed-odds division.

Earlier this year, the NZRB warned that its costs were rising at a rate that was “not sustainable” due to Kiwi punters opting to wager online with internationally licensed betting operators that offered better odds and a wider variety of betting options. The NZRB suggested “outsourcing or partnering” some aspects of its operations might be more cost-effective.

Gourdie declined to offer specifics regarding the possible role of Tabcorp or the other two contenders in running the TAB’s business. Gourdie said it was “far too early for us to discuss potential solutions when we don’t know what the final option will be.”