U.S. President Trump announced the imposition of tariffs on goods from multiple countries, including 46% on Vietnam, 36% on Thailand, 25% on South Korea, 26% on India, and 31% on Switzerland, causing unrest in global markets. Against this backdrop, the prices of Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies fell, and market risk aversion intensified.
1. Global Supply Chain Dependence in the Gambling Industry
The global gambling industry heavily relies on hardware, financial technology, and tourism consumption, and Trump's tariff policy could impact the following aspects:
1. Increased Costs of Gambling Equipment
Slot machines, electronic gambling tables and other core equipment mainly produced in China, Germany, and Japan, if the U.S. imposes tariffs of 25%-45%, it will lead to:
Increased procurement costs for U.S. domestic casinos (e.g., budget for equipment updates in Las Vegas casinos may increase by 15%-30%)
Export orders for Asian gambling hubs (Macau, Singapore) may be affected
2. Payment Systems and Financial Technology Restrictions
The U.S. may strengthen regulation on cross-border payment platforms (such as Alipay, cryptocurrency exchanges), affecting the flow of funds in online gambling
If financial technology hardware (servers, blockchain mining machines) is taxed, it may delay the digital transformation of the gambling industry
3. Impact on Tourism and Gambling
If the U.S. imposes visa fees or travel taxes on tourists from the EU and China, it may reduce high-net-worth clients traveling to the U.S. for gambling
Asian casinos (e.g., Macau, Philippines) may see a reduction in high-roller gambling funds if the trade war leads to economic slowdown
2. Regional Impact Analysis
1. U.S. Domestic: Surge in Casino Operating Costs
Equipment Tariffs: If tariffs are imposed on China, casino procurement costs will rise, and some small and medium-sized casinos may delay upgrades
Labor Costs: If foreign labor (e.g., Filipino dealers) is restricted, labor costs may increase
Online Gambling: If international payments are restricted, some states (e.g., New Jersey) online casinos may be affected
2. Macau & Singapore: Shrinking High-Roller Market
If China's economy slows down due to the trade war, VIP gambling revenue in Macau may drop by 10%-20%
Singapore casinos (Marina Bay Sands, Resorts World Sentosa) rely on global tourists, if airfare tariffs increase, high-end customers may decrease
3. Philippines & Cambodia: Offshore Gambling Industry Impacted
POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) rely on Chinese players, if the RMB exchange rate fluctuates, betting amounts may decline
Cambodian casinos may see reduced investments due to the US-China trade war, some projects may stall
4. Europe: Online Gambling Payments Hindered
If the U.S. taxes the EU, Visa/Mastercard cross-border fees may increase, affecting European players betting on U.S. sports gambling platforms (such as DraftKings)
Conclusion: Survival Rules for the Gambling Industry in the Era of High Tariffs
If Trump's tariff policy is implemented, it will reshape the global competitive landscape of the gambling industry. Equipment costs, payment restrictions, and tourism consumption are three key challenges, while supply chain adjustments, financial innovation, and market shifts will become the main coping strategies. In this era of rising trade protectionism, whether the gambling industry can adapt flexibly will determine its prosperity or decline over the next decade.
