Why has land-based gaming proven so strong and consistent within Asia, both to casino players and investors? 

Land-based gaming in Asia has demonstrated remarkable resilience and sustained growth, even as global markets fluctuate. Several structural and cultural factors underpin this strength. Asia’s integrated resort (IR) model continues to outperform global benchmarks. Destinations such as Macau, Singapore and the Philippines have built ecosystems where gaming is only one component of a broader entertainment, hospitality, and retail experience. This diversified value proposition attracts both mass market and premium players, reinforcing stable visitation and spend.  Cultural preferences in Asia favour in-person, social gaming experiences.

Table games – especially Baccarat – remain deeply embedded in regional gaming culture and the tactile, communal nature of land-based play continues to draw players who value atmosphere, ritual and prestige. The IR properties also offer world-class eateries and hotels, offering much more than just the casino floor. Other attractions such as shows and entertainment facilities also help attract customers to spend their weekends and holidays.  Operators in Asia have been early adopters of hybrid engagement models. Industry experts note that 2026 marks a shift from geographic expansion to consolidation, with operators focusing on integrating digital touchpoints – such as free-to-play apps, loyalty ecosystems and social entertainment – into their land-based offerings.

These digital extensions strengthen brand loyalty, drive repeat visitation and help stabilize revenue during seasonal fluctuations. Investor confidence remains high due to Asia’s long-term regulatory maturation. Governments demanding more non-gaming investments to balance the IR offerings also helps diversify the customer base, attracting customers who may not have been previously interested to visit the properties.  

What are the biggest trends on the casino floor within APAC right now, and how different are they to the Americas and EMEA?

One of the most dominant trends on APAC casino floors right now is the continued rise of linked progressives. What’s particularly interesting is the shift in player preference: instead of chasing the previously dominant, life-changing mega jackpots, players are increasingly gravitating toward smaller, more attainable grand jackpots. Achievable wins feel more realistic, more frequent and ultimately more engaging. 

This shift is reshaping jackpot strategy across the region. At the same time, three-pot/five-pot perceived persistence features remain a major driver of performance. Players are clearly signalling that they want feature-rich gameplay with layered surprises, rather than relying solely on traditional hold and respin mechanics or simple free-game structures. Games that visually communicate progress, tease upcoming features, or build anticipation over time are outperforming more static legacy formats. Another major trend is the rapid rise of standalone electronic table games (ETGs).

Player behavior is maturing: there is growing trust in full RNG outcomes, supported by strong regulatory oversight and increasingly sophisticated hardware. Standalone ETGs also give players something they value highly: control over the pace of play. Without the constraints of a dealer or a “no more bets” timer, players can enjoy a more personalized experience at their own pace. This autonomy is proving especially attractive to younger demographics and experienced players who prefer efficiency and uninterrupted flow. 

How different are casino trends in Southeast Asia versus Australia? 

Casino trends in Southeast Asia and Australia continue to diverge in meaningful ways, shaped largely by player preferences and regulatory environments. In Southeast Asia, players show a strong and consistent preference for linked progressive games, whereas Australia maintains a robust market for standalone progressives (SAPs).

This difference reflects not only player psychology but also the distinct product ecosystems that have evolved in each region. Regulation plays a major role in shaping innovation. Slot manufacturers enjoy significantly more freedom in Southeast Asia, where regulatory frameworks allow for faster experimentation with new mechanics, volatility profiles and feature sets. 

As a result, SEA markets tend to see quicker adoption of fresh concepts and more aggressive iteration cycles. The same dynamic appears in the ETG segment. Australia’s market has multiple specific protocols for each state, requiring bespoke engineering for each jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia benefits from the widespread use of the standardized SAS protocol, enabling manufacturers to innovate rapidly and compete directly with one another across the region. This standardization has created a highly dynamic ETG environment where new game types, features, and hardware concepts reach the floor much faster. 

As a supplier, how do you adapt your approach or offerings in these areas? 

As one of the leading technology partners in the region, we adapt by continuously evolving both our content and our platforms to meet the distinct needs of APAC markets. Our focus is on delivering feature-rich linked progressives that align with regional player preferences, and this is reflected in the success of our newly launched VISION LINK™ and XTENSION LINK™ families.

We are consistently advancing our hardware and software ecosystems to introduce fresh experiences, stronger engagement, and more dynamic floor performance. In the ETG segment, our Novo Unity™ Pro platform allows us to innovate beyond traditional table gameplay and offer players new forms of entertainment. A strong example is Lucky Lady’s™ Roulette, our multiplier-based roulette variant that gives players the chance to hit wins of up to 210x their bet - without requiring any side bets. This type of innovation resonates strongly in APAC, where players value fast-paced, intuitive and rewarding experiences. 

Which Novomatic products do you find are the most successful in Asia? 

Across Asia, several Novomatic products continue to deliver exceptional performance, driven by strong brand recognition and alignment with regional player preferences. Our blue-chip NOVO LINE™ Edition X5 titles remain firm favourites in markets such as Korea and the Philippines, where traditional high-volatility titles continue to resonate strongly with players.

 Our latest linked progressives – VISION LINK™ and the XTENSION LINK™ family – are also gaining significant traction. These products introduce fresh interpretations of the region’s most popular mechanics, attracting new players while maintaining the depth and volatility profile that longtime Novomatic fans expect. Their success is further amplified by our premium hardware lineup, particularly the DIAMOND X™ 1.55J Quattro, which provides the visual impact and ergonomic comfort that APAC operators value on high-traffic floors.

In the ETG segment, our Novo Unity™ Pro system remains a standout performer. Its flexibility, reliability and multigame capabilities continue to make it a preferred choice for operators across the region. Innovations such as Lucky Lady’s™ Roulette – which offers multiplier wins of up to 210x without requiring side bets – are helping attract new demographics to ETGs and expanding the appeal of our electronic table portfolio. 

What developments and innovations do you foresee taking place within APAC in 2026?

AI is set to dominate the conversation and its influence will extend well beyond headline buzz. The most immediate growth will come from AI-driven analytics, where operators leverage machine learning to better understand player behavior, optimize floor layouts and refine game mix decisions in real time. This shift will enable faster, more precise operational adjustments and more personalized player engagement.

On the product side, AI will begin shaping gameplay mechanics and development workflows. From assisting designers in prototyping new concepts to generating variations of features and math models, AI has the potential to significantly accelerate the pace of innovation. This means new game ideas can be tested, iterated and brought to market far more quickly than before.

As APAC remains one of the world’s most competitive and fastmoving gaming regions, AI-enabled tools will give suppliers and operators a meaningful edge – driving smarter decision making, faster product cycles and more dynamic gaming experiences across both slots and ETGs.