Light & Wonder Launches JOYUP! Globally at Solaire Manila
Philippines.- 25 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Light & Wonder has launched JOYUP! globally at Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Manila, Philippines, opening a new chapter for its established Jin Ji Bao Xi franchise.
The launch introduces new titles, refreshed mechanics and next-generation hardware, combining familiar elements from one of the company’s established slot families with a new proposition designed for the Asian market.
The Solaire deployment also marks the regional debut of Light & Wonder’s Cosmic Dual cabinet, strengthening the supplier’s strategy of combining content and hardware across major Asian casino floors.
Global Debut in the Philippines
Solaire Resort Entertainment City was selected to host the first global deployment of JOYUP!.
The installation makes the Manila integrated resort the first casino worldwide to commercially introduce the latest evolution of the franchise.
The decision also reinforces the importance of the Philippines within Light & Wonder’s wider Asian strategy.
Evolution of Jin Ji Bao Xi
JOYUP! represents a new chapter for Jin Ji Bao Xi, a franchise already established across gaming floors in Asia.
Light & Wonder has developed the new product around a combination of familiar elements and additional gameplay mechanics.
The strategy is designed to leverage recognition of an existing property while creating a refreshed experience.
JOYUP! Link
The global debut introduces JOYUP! Link, the new proposition attached to the franchise.
It initially launches with two titles:
- JOYUP! Phoenix.
- JOYUP! Dragon.
Both games combine elements associated with Jin Ji Bao Xi with new functionality developed for this generation.
JOYUP! Phoenix
JOYUP! Phoenix is one of the two initial titles included in the rollout.
The game brings JOYUP!’s identity into a phoenix-themed environment while remaining connected to the wider franchise.
Launching with multiple titles allows Light & Wonder to establish JOYUP! as a broader product family from the beginning.
JOYUP! Dragon
The second title is JOYUP! Dragon.
Like Phoenix, it forms part of the initial JOYUP! Link deployment and retains recognisable connections with Jin Ji Bao Xi.
The simultaneous arrival of both games gives operators multiple options within the new platform.
JOYUP Coin
Among the new gameplay additions is JOYUP Coin.
The feature forms part of the mechanics developed to differentiate the new generation from previous titles in the franchise.
Light & Wonder is therefore combining familiarity with additional player interaction.
Top Up
The product also introduces the Top Up feature.
It forms another layer within JOYUP!’s new gameplay proposition.
Its inclusion supports the wider strategy of evolving an existing franchise without abandoning the characteristics that helped establish its original appeal.
Double Fu
A further new feature is Double Fu.
Alongside JOYUP Coin and Top Up, it forms part of the gameplay package introduced with the new family.
The collection of new mechanics is intended to create a differentiated experience while maintaining links to an established Asian gaming property.
Familiarity and Fresh Gameplay
A central concept behind JOYUP! is the combination of familiarity and innovation.
Rather than introducing an entirely unrelated property, Light & Wonder has extended Jin Ji Bao Xi with new titles and mechanics.
This allows existing players to recognise elements of the franchise while experiencing new gameplay.
Cosmic Dual Makes Asian Debut
The launch also marks the Asian debut of the Cosmic Dual cabinet.
Solaire Resort Entertainment City becomes the first property in the region to deploy the hardware alongside JOYUP!.
The cabinet forms part of Light & Wonder’s latest generation of casino gaming platforms.
Hardware and Content Integration
The simultaneous launch of JOYUP! and Cosmic Dual demonstrates an integrated hardware-and-content strategy.
For gaming manufacturers, the cabinet is an important component of the player experience.
Screen configuration, physical presentation, audiovisual elements and software all contribute to the way a new gaming family is presented on the casino floor.
Light & Wonder’s Asia Strategy
Light & Wonder views Asia as an important market for its gaming portfolio.
The company operates across multiple jurisdictions in the region and develops products intended to reflect regional player preferences.
JOYUP! supports this strategy by evolving a franchise that already has recognition across Asian casino floors.
Statements
Mike Smith, Managing Director, Asia at Light & Wonder, described JOYUP! as the continued evolution of the company’s commitment to creating compelling gaming experiences for Asian players.
He highlighted the success of Jin Ji Bao Xi and said the new family combines familiar characteristics with fresh gameplay.
Smith also said Light & Wonder intends to bring JOYUP! to additional casino floors across Asia following its global debut at Solaire.
Relationship With Solaire
The launch builds on a longstanding relationship between Light & Wonder and Solaire Resort Entertainment City.
Both companies have previously worked together to introduce new gaming experiences in the Philippine market.
The JOYUP! world premiere deepens that relationship by making Solaire the launch property for a new international product family.
Early Player Response
Solaire reported positive early feedback from players following the launch.
The integrated resort also said demand for JOYUP! has remained strong.
These initial indicators support both companies’ intention to continue developing their relationship.
Statements From Solaire
Lim Chin Gan, SVP Operations at Solaire, welcomed the partnership with Light & Wonder for both the global JOYUP! launch and the Asian debut of Cosmic Dual.
He said the resort had received positive player feedback since launch.
The executive also expressed an intention to continue working with Light & Wonder to introduce further gaming experiences.
Solaire Resort Entertainment City
Solaire Resort Entertainment City is one of Manila’s major integrated resorts.
The property combines a large casino operation with hotel, dining, entertainment and other facilities.
Its position within Entertainment City makes it an important showcase for new gaming products entering the Philippine market.
Philippines as a Launch Market
Selecting Manila for the global premiere underlines the increasing importance of the Philippine casino sector within Asia.
The country’s major integrated resorts compete continuously to refresh their gaming offerings and provide new experiences for local and international visitors.
This environment creates opportunities for global suppliers introducing new cabinets and content.
Asia-Focused Content
Regional preferences remain important when designing casino games for Asian markets.
Themes, mechanics, symbols and presentation can all be adapted to the expectations of local players.
JOYUP! builds on the experience accumulated through Jin Ji Bao Xi while establishing a new identity within the same broader product line.
Importance of Gaming Franchises
Established franchises play an increasingly significant role in suppliers’ product strategies.
Recognised brands can be extended through sequels, new features and new cabinets.
This allows manufacturers to balance product innovation with existing player awareness.
Refreshing Casino Floors
Casino operators continually rotate machines and content to keep gaming floors current.
New products compete for both physical space and player attention.
In that environment, a combination of recognisable branding, refreshed gameplay and differentiated hardware can support product adoption.
Next-Generation Hardware
Cosmic Dual forms part of the continuing technological evolution of Light & Wonder’s portfolio.
Launching the cabinet alongside a new game family allows the supplier to present operators with an integrated solution.
Its debut at Solaire provides one of the first regional showcases for the combination.
Regional Expansion
Light & Wonder has indicated that it plans to bring JOYUP! to additional casino floors across Asia.
The Solaire deployment therefore represents the beginning of a wider regional rollout rather than a Philippines-only launch.
The supplier will seek to expand the family into further Asian markets as commercial deployment progresses.
Industry Context
Asia remains one of the most competitive markets for international slot suppliers.
Global manufacturers increasingly develop products specifically adapted to regional players while combining established franchises with new technology.
Integrated resorts, meanwhile, use gaming-floor renewal as a way to differentiate their properties and broaden the experiences available to customers.
Innovation Through an Existing Franchise
The JOYUP! launch reflects a common strategy within land-based gaming: extending successful properties rather than replacing them.
Light & Wonder retains its connection with Jin Ji Bao Xi while introducing new functionality, titles and cabinet hardware.
The approach is designed to extend the commercial lifecycle of the franchise and establish a new phase of growth.
Next Steps or Impact
The global launch of JOYUP! at Solaire Resort Entertainment City marks the beginning of the new Light & Wonder family’s commercial rollout.
The company will now seek to expand across further Asian casino floors with JOYUP! Phoenix, JOYUP! Dragon and the JOYUP Coin, Top Up and Double Fu features.
The Asian debut of Cosmic Dual adds a hardware component to the strategy and allows Light & Wonder to present its content and physical platform as an integrated proposition.
Solaire’s reported early player response will provide one of the first indicators of the product’s commercial performance.
For Light & Wonder, the launch provides an opportunity to extend the recognition of Jin Ji Bao Xi while developing a new generation of gaming content specifically positioned for Asia’s competitive casino market.
Editó: @fonta
