On the week of the annual SiGMA Asia Summit in Manila, the Global Gaming Awards are once again honored to recognize the strongest industry performers across the previous 12 months, with the self-nomination window now open. The 2026 Global Gaming Awards will be independently adjudicated by KPMG US, ensuring votes for all categories remain fair, while winners are chosen by a panel of senior industry executives. 

While the Asia-Pacific region brings forth many of gaming’s most inspiring developments, many operators or suppliers acknowledged at the event carry ties to the US and North America sectors as well. As part of the previous Global Gaming Awards in Manila, Light & Wonder took home the Casino Supplier of the Year honor, celebrating numerous accomplishments over the first half of 2025 and latter stages of the prior year.  

Aristocrat represented an extremely close runner-up for the category, while International Game Technology (IGT) came third for its efforts throughout the previous 12 months. The industry giant still walked away with the Casino Product of the Year award, however, following the success of its Big Fu Cash Bats title.  

On December 3, IGT announced the official appointment of Hector Fernandez as its new CEO, following his original appointment nearly a year prior for the newly merged IGT and Everi Holdings entity. Former Interim IGT CEO Nick Khin transitioned into a strategic advisor role for the supplier’s leadership team and Board of Directors, while Fernandez will oversee the enterprise’s gaming business. 

The appointment marks the beginning of a new era for IGT following the transaction with Apollo Global Management, as Fernandez stated he will work with global team members to “define what’s next” for the supplier. Aristocrat also made personnel changes in the second half of 2025, naming Dylan Slaney as the next CEO of Aristocrat Interactive. Slaney represents yet another executive who has served for both Aristocrat and Light & Wonder, which also includes current Light & Wonder CEO Matt Wilson.  

Even with the flurry of leadership changes witnessed in the final months of 2025, suppliers across the globe prepare for what should be a defining 12-month period in gaming throughout the new year.  

“Asia-Pacific stands out as one of the most dynamic and resilient gaming markets globally. Operators and suppliers across the region are continuously pushing boundaries, embracing new technologies and delivering world-class experiences,” Global Gaming Awards Event Manager Mariya Savova said.  

“We are excited to reward the industry’s outstanding achievements at the fifth annual Global Gaming Awards event in Manila.”On the operator side of US and Asia-Pacific similarities, MGM China also announced new leadership changes in December, as well as reported successful results for the third quarter of 2025. Kenneth Xiaofeng Feng will serve as the new CEO of MGM China Holdings on a fixed three-year term and has been part of the MGM Resorts International family since 2001.  

MGM also expanded its responsible gaming strategy across Macau on December 15, reinforcing its commitment to building a safe and healthy tourism environment while supporting the Government’s policy direction. The operator stated its latest initiatives form a portion of long-term framework which integrates education, industry training and community-based interventions.Throughout Q3 2025, MGM China operations increased revenue by 17% to $1.1bn, primarily attributed to an increase in main floor table games drop. The sector’s adjusted EBITDAR for Q3 2025 was $284m, increasing 20% and representing a quarterly high for MGM China, which also recorded an all-time high in market share at 15.5%. Potential competition for MGM China at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards in Manila could be Wynn Resorts’ Macau operations, as Wynn Palace generated a 22.2% operating revenue increase to $635.5m for Q3 2025. At Wynn Macau, revenue throughout Q3 2025 increased 3.9% to $365.5m, while adjusted property EBITDAR for the period grew 7.4% to nearly $108m. 

Wynn Resorts North America COO Brian Gullbrants spoke on the competition in Macau as part of a Q3 2025 conference call, having said, “It’s hand-to-hand combat in Macau. We have a really clear view of how much incremental GGR market share we need to justify and fade an incremental percentage point reinvestment, so we’re monitoring that closely in real-time. 

“We view margin as an outcome of aggressively driving revenues, profitably reinvesting customers and diligently managing costs. So we don’t manage to a specific margin per se, but what we’re constantly doing is looking at our reinvestment relative to revenue. Not market share, revenue.” 

Wynn Resorts’ positive results in Macau come with little surprise, as the city’s gaming industry has reported strong results throughout 2025, with October gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaching $3.01bn and equating to a rise of 15.9% year-over-year. October represented Macau’s strongest monthly result for gaming revenue since pre-Covid-19 figures, and topped the previous monthly record for 2025 set in August, which was reported to be $2.8bn. 

Despite ceasing operations of its short-lived digital arm after an internal review concluded the project was no longer “aligned with the company’s core long-term objectives,” Las Vegas Sands generated a 7.6% increase in revenue from Macau operations to $1.9bn. The operator’s Venetian Macao property reported a quarterly revenue of $692m, the highest of any facility in the region for Las Vegas Sands.  

Moving forward, the operator stated it will continue to concentrate on the land-based enterprises currently residing in Macau and Singapore. Given the positive gaming results witnessed throughout Macau in the final months of 2025, it’s certainly difficult to fault Las Vegas Sands, as the new year could forge even more opportunity for those conducting business in the region.  

Staple categories of the Asia-Pacific awards include Casino Operator of the Year and Casino Supplier of the Year, awarded to Galaxy Entertainment Group and Light & Wonder, respectively, in 2025. These honors will be making their return to the 2026 stage along with Digital Operator of the Year and Digital Casino Supplier of the Year and Casino Product and Table Game Product of the Year.  

Other awards that consistently witness heavy competition include Integrated Resort of the Year and Executive of the Year, two of the highest honors bestowed for Asia-Pacific gaming entities. The 2025 Executive of the Year went to SJM Holdings Chairman & Executive Director Daisy Ho, following PAGCOR Chairman & CEO Alejandro H. Tengco’s honor the year prior. Galaxy Macau was able to secure the Integrated Resort of the Year award as part of the 2025 festivities, and reported a 20% increase for Q3 2025 net revenue to $1.3bn.  

Coming off what was a thrilling Global Gaming Awards EMEA ceremony in Barcelona this January, the Asia-Pacific event is sure to continue the legacy of the most respected honor across the industry. Entities currently conducting business in the region can put themselves forward for the Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific 2026 by filling out the Shortlist nomination form on globalgamingawards.com.