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Wynn Resorts Macau tops Macao in Forbes Travel Guide Awards 2026

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Wynn Resorts Macau stands at the top of Macao’s luxury hospitality landscape, receiving the most Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) awards of any individual resort this year. Together, Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace amassed 63 stars in 2026, reaffirming their leadership in world‑class service.

For three consecutive years, Wynn Palace has reigned as the largest FTG Five-Star resort in the world, and it is the only resort worldwide with six individual FTG Five-Star awards. The luxurious resort on Cotai also carries on its legacy of holding the most FTG Five-Star restaurants of any individual resort in the world, achieving this honor for seven straight years. 

“The outstanding achievements of Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace in the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Awards reaffirm our continued commitment to raising the bar, elevating our service standards, and driving innovation,” said Frederic Luvisutto, Chief Operating Officer of Wynn Macau. “With Wynn Resorts Macau receiving the most Forbes Travel Guide awards of any individual resort in Macao this year, this recognition speaks volumes for how our teams go above and beyond to deliver exemplary service for travelers from all around the world.” 

Wynn Palace retained its status once again as home to more FTG Five-Star Restaurants than any other individual resort in the world, garnering four Five-Star Restaurant accolades at Chef Tam’s Seasons, Mizumi, Sushi Mizumi and SW Steakhouse. At Wynn Macau, Wing Lei has been recognized once again with the Forbes Five-Star Restaurant award, reaffirming its exceptional culinary standards. 

Wynn Resorts Macau received the following 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Awards:

Wynn Macau

  • Wynn Macau (Five-Star) 
  • Encore at Wynn Macau (Five-Star)  
  • The Spa at Wynn Macau (Five-Star) 
  • The Spa at Encore (Five-Star)  
  • Wing Lei (Five-Star) 
  • Drunken Fish (Four-Star) 

Wynn Palace

  • Wynn Palace (Five-Star) 
  • The Spa at Wynn Palace (Five-Star) 
  • Chef Tam’s Seasons (Five-Star) 
  • Mizumi (Five-Star) 
  • Sushi Mizumi (Five-Star) 
  • SW Steakhouse (Five-Star) 
  • Lakeview Palace (Four-Star) 

Grand Lisboa Palace Macau becomes world’s only fully Forbes Five‑Star IR

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SJM Resorts has strengthened its standing as a global leader in luxury hospitality, with its flagship Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau now recognized as the world’s only integrated resort where every hotel holds a Forbes Travel Guide Five‑Star rating.

Every hotel, signature restaurant, and spa within the integrated resort evaluated by FTG has earned the coveted Five-Star rating. This milestone also makes Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau the world’s first integrated resort to house three FTG Five-Star spas—The Spa at Grand Lisboa Palace, The Spa at THE KARL LAGERFELD, and The SPA at Palazzo Versace Macau—under one roof. 

The property has further distinguished itself as one of only three destinations worldwide with the highest concentration of FTG Five-Star restaurants. The prestigious 2026 FTG has awarded SJM a record-breaking 14 Five-Star ratings across its properties. 

Commenting on the recognitions, Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, shared that, “Achieving this unprecedented suite of Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star honours places SJM firmly on the global stage and reflects the exceptional talent within Macau’s hospitality sector. As the leading authority in luxury hospitality, Forbes Travel Guide’s rigorous evaluation system makes these accolades especially meaningful. They underscore our long-term commitment to service culture, operational excellence, and consistently elevated guest experiences, reinforcing SJM’s leading role in global luxury travel and further strengthening Macau’s position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.” 

SJM’s 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Ratings: 

Hotels 

  • Grand Lisboa Macau (7th consecutive year) 
  • Grand Lisboa Palace Macau (4th consecutive year) 
  • THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU (4th consecutive year) 
  • Palazzo Versace Macau (Newly awarded) 

Restaurants 

  • Robuchon au Dôme (7th consecutive year) 
  • The Eight (7th consecutive year) 
  • Palace Garden (4th consecutive year) 
  • Zuicho (2nd consecutive year) 
  • Mesa by José Avillez (2nd consecutive year) 
  • Don Alfonso 1890 (2nd consecutive year) 

Spas 

  • The Spa at Grand Lisboa (7th consecutive year) 
  • The Spa at Grand Lisboa Palace (4th consecutive year) 
  • The SPA at THE KARL LAGERFELD (4th consecutive year)
  • The Spa at Palazzo Versace Macau (2nd consecutive year) 

Setting New World Standards: The Ultimate Five-Star Collection 

Palazzo Versace Macau has joined the elite ranks of Five-Star properties, placing it among only four new Macau hotels honoured in 2026 and completing Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau’s transformation into the only FTG all-Five-Star destination in the world, with its three hotels—Grand Lisboa Palace Macau, THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU and Palazzo Versace Macau—each achieving the highest recognition. Together with Grand Lisboa Macau’s seventh consecutive Five-Star award, these distinctions reinforce SJM’s dual strategy of strengthening its proprietary “Lisboa” brand while advancing strategic collaborations with world-renowned designer labels.

Global Benchmark for Luxury Wellness Destinations 

SJM’s four signature hotel spas—The Spa at Grand Lisboa, The Spa at Grand Lisboa Palace, The Spa at THE KARL LAGERFELD, and The SPA at Palazzo Versace Macau—have once again achieved FTG Five-Star recognition, reaffirming Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau as the world’s only integrated resort with the highest number of FTG Five-Star spa facilities. Through collaborations with world-class skincare brands and thoughtfully designed interiors, SJM elevates professional wellness treatments into holistic journeys of physical and mental renewal, articulating a refined philosophy of holistic living.

World’s Highest Concentration of FTG Five-Star Dining 

Culinary excellence continues at SJM, with six restaurants retaining their FTG Five Star ratings: Robuchon au Dôme, The Eight, Palace Garden, Zuicho, Mesa by José Avillez, and Don Alfonso 1890. The latter four restaurants, located within Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, establish the property as one of only three destinations worldwide with the highest concentration of Five-Star restaurants under one roof.

These distinctions underscore SJM’s sustained culinary leadership, defined by clear brand positioning, authentic global cuisines led by world-class chefs, and one of Asia’s most acclaimed wine collections, further elevating Macau’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. 

MGM celebrates seven Five‑Star honors in Forbes Travel Guide 2026

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MGM announced its renewed recognition with seven Five‑Star Awards from Forbes Travel Guide, reaffirming the Company’s enduring commitment to superior guest service standards.

This year marks a new milestone as MGM MACAU earns its 11th consecutive Five-Star rating, while Tria Spa at both MGM MACAU and MGM COTAI receives the accolade for the seventh consecutive year. In addition, Emerald TowerSkyloftsFive Foot Road at MGM COTAI, and Imperial Court at MGM MACAU, have each been honored with Five-Star recognition for the fifth consecutive year, underscoring MGM’s consistent excellence across accommodation, wellness, and dining.

Kenneth Feng, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said, “In an ever-changing hospitality landscape, MGM continues to deliver quality, consistency, and thoughtful experiences to guests. The Company also aligns its offerings with the Macau Government’s vision to develop the city into a global and diversified tourist destination. The introduction of Alpha Villa at MGM MACAU, together with the continued enhancement of our dining and wellness offerings, reflects our ongoing efforts to refine the guest experience and commitment to helping prolong visitors’ length of stay in Macau, thereby supporting the city’s long-term and sustainable growth. 

Achieving sustained recognition from Forbes Travel Guide reflects a disciplined approach to service excellence and a steadfast commitment to maintaining high standards across the Company’s properties. I am deeply grateful to the Golden Lion Team, whose professionalism, dedication, and shared pursuit of excellence underpin these achievements.”

MGM received the following 2026 Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star Awards:

MGM MACAUMGM COTAI
MGM MACAU
Imperial Court
Tria
Emerald Tower
Skylofts
Five Foot Road
Tria

Skylofts at MGM COTAI, now honored with a Five-Star rating for the fifth consecutive year, continues to represent the pinnacle of refined luxury through its distinctive loft-style accommodations atop the resort’s M Tower.

The Emerald Tower, also a five-time Five-Star recipient, exemplifies MGM’s enduring commitment to thoughtful design and cultural elegance. Featuring an emerald and ivory marble lobby adorned with curated artworks from the MGM COTAI Art Collection, the rooms at the tower blends modern luxury with East-meets-West influences and reinterprets Chinese aesthetics with contemporary sophistication.

Another Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star Award winner in MGM COTAI, Five Foot Road continues to embrace refined Sichuanese culinary craftsmanship while honoring century-old traditional recipes from Chengdu. Meanwhile, the Forbes Five-Star Imperial Court at MGM MACAU offers an elevated interpretation of Lingnan cuisine that celebrates the culinary heritage of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Hakka regions.

Having earned the Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star honor for the 11th consecutive year, MGM MACAU boasts distinguished features and world-class facilities including the iconic European-inspired Grande Praça, signature restaurants and bars, and the POLY MGM MUSEUM, one of cultural landmarks at Macau, spanning almost 2,000 square meters which is constructed in accordance with Chinese national standards for the exhibition of Grade-One cultural relics. 

The two spas at both MGM properties – Tria at MGM MACAU and MGM COTAI – have secured their Five-Star ratings for the seventh consecutive year. Following a comprehensive upgrade, Tria at MGM MACAU now exclusively offers Macau’s only Hyperbaric Hydrogen Oxygen Capsule therapy, holistic WATSU Pool therapy treatment and Experience Pool, setting new benchmarks in wellness care.

For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star ratings, refer to Forbes Travel Guide’s official website.

Tabcorp fined by ACMA for taking in-play tennis bets

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Australian authorities have fined Tabcorp Holdings Limited for taking online in-play sports bets.

According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), this is the third time since 2021 that Tabcorp has breached in-play betting rules.

An investigation by the ACMA found that Tabcorp had accepted 426 in-play bets across 32 tennis matches between February of 2024 and June of 2025.

Despite the number of bets and period of time over which they took  place, the operator was only hit with a AU$158,000 ($112,600) fine.

This is, in part due to evidence from Tabcorp that the breaches occurred due to ‘systems and communications issues with its third-party provider’.

ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood noted that “While we understand that most wagering operators rely on third-party providers to close betting on sporting events, they cannot outsource their legal responsibilities. The length of time it took Tabcorp to identify and then fix the problem was concerning and we expect Tabcorp to do better in the future”.

Aside from the fine, Tabcorp also has entered an ‘enforceable undertaking’ which requires the operator to conduct a processes and systems review on tennis bets and report regularly to the ACMA.

Non-compliance could result in proceedings through the Federal Court, warns the ACMA.

Fitch affirms Macau’s ‘AA’ rating and Stable outlook on ‘relatively resilient’ premium mass

Fitch Ratings on Wednesday affirmed Macau’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘AA’ with a Stable outlook, based on ‘strong public and external finances’ and expectations for continued resilience from mass market gaming.

According to the note, Fitch is forecasting GDP growth to be 4 percent this year, after growing by 4.7 percent in 2025. Expectations are for gross gaming revenue (GGR) to reach 89 percent of the level seen in 2019 this year.

‘We expect gaming tourism growth to slow but remain solid in 2026, supported by favorable visa-entry policies, expanded cultural and entertainment offerings, and continued non-gaming investments’, highlighted the group.

Premium mass resilience

Problem Gambling, Macau

Assuming that visitation continues at current levels, the analysts opine that Macau’s mass market gaming, ‘particularly the premium mass segment […] will remain relatively resilient in 2026’.

The analysts note that Macau saw mass GGR exceed 2019 levels by ‘about 14 percent’, supported by record-high tourism of over 40 million. ‘VIP gaming gained more traction in 2H25 amid continued restructuring of junket operations and the closure of satellite casinos, although VIP GGR remained roughly half of its 2019 level,’ noted the report.

Gaming-dependent but fiscally sound

Estimates are for a budget surplus of ‘about 5 percent of GDP in 2026’ and 5.2 percent in 2027, following an estimated 4.7 percent in 2025.

‘This reflects our expectation that gaming tax revenue, accounting for more than 80 percent of total revenue in 2025, will well exceed the government’s conservative target this year, while we expect government spending to remain within budget’.

The group does highlight Macau’s fiscal dependence on gaming, which it notes ‘accounted for 43.3 percent of gross value added in the economy in 2024’.

While the group expects the government will continue its attempts at diversification, ‘human capital constraints and skill mismatches will limit Macau’s ability to build a competitive edge in nascent non-gaming sectors in the near term’.

Other restraints, such as limited additions to hotel capacity and air connectivity ‘will also constrain faster diversification of visitor source markets’.

Healthy fiscal reserves

‘Macau’s external position remains among the strongest of Fitch-rated jurisdictions, providing sizeable buffers against potential external volatility,’ highlight the analysts, expecting a ‘large current account surplus at 33.8 percent of GDP in 2025, thanks to robust gaming and tourism receipts’.

Further expectations for 2026 are for Macau’s net external creditor position ‘to be high at 249 percent of GDP in 2025, with sovereign net foreign assets at around 217 percent of GDP, both well above the projected median for ‘AA’ category peers’.

Last year, foreign exchange reserves increased by 4.2 percent to $30.6 billion ‘and cover more than 4x the territory’s monetary base’.

BetX Pro by Pronet Gaming: optimizing exchange betting for new markets

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When betting exchanges enter new markets, the conversation usually centres on liquidity, pricing, and regulatory approvals. These factors are essential, of course. But in reality, the success or failure of an exchange launch is determined at a far more granular level: the moment a player interacts with the product. That’s where BetX Pro by Pronet Gaming makes the difference.

Operators expanding into new regions are no longer competing on odds alone. They are competing on how intuitive, fast and locally relevant their exchange feels to the end user. For a betting exchange, this is particularly unforgiving territory. If the product feels confusing, slow or foreign, players do not wait: they leave.

With this reality in mind, Pronet Gaming designed BetX Pro—our betting exchange product. We do not treat market entry as a configuration exercise; we treat it as a product localisation challenge that touches every layer of the exchange experience.



Liquidity only works if players can access it

Liquidity is the heartbeat of any betting exchange. But liquidity has no commercial value if users struggle to find markets, place bets, or understand how to trade positions. In new markets especially, player behaviour is shaped by years of experience with traditional sportsbook interfaces, not exchange-style trading.

This means the frontend must do a great deal of translation. Not just linguistically, but conceptually.

New users need to understand instantly how to back, lay, manage exposure and close positions. They need to see risk and potential return clearly. They need confidence that the system is responding in real time, especially during in-play trading. Even small delays or unclear layouts introduce hesitation; and hesitation kills liquidity.

That is why we place such emphasis on frontend performance and interface design. A fast, responsive exchange interface increases order flow, improves market depth and reduces the friction that prevents players from engaging fully. In new markets, this difference is magnified.

A single exchange, locally optimized

Every market trades differently. Some regions prefer pre-match betting with longer holding periods, while others gravitate towards high-frequency in-play trading. Some markets have high tolerance for volatility; others are more risk-averse. An exchange platform that forces all users into the same behavioural model will inevitably underperform. This is where modular frontend architecture becomes critical.

Operators need the ability to adjust layouts, market prioritisation, and default bet settings based on local preferences without rebuilding the entire product. A Southeast Asian audience may need fast access to live football and basketball markets. A European audience may expect detailed horse racing ladders. A LatAm audience might prioritise mobile-first simplicity over depth of data.

Our approach at Pronet Gaming allows operators to tailor the exchange experience market by market while maintaining a single, scalable backend. The result is consistency for operations and compliance teams, and relevance for players.

Adapting fast while staying compliant

Regulatory frameworks do more than dictate what you can offer. They change how players behave. In some jurisdictions, in-play betting may be restricted. In others, minimum bet sizes, exposure limits, or cash-out rules can significantly alter trading patterns. An exchange that is not designed to adapt to these constraints quickly becomes awkward for both operators and users.

Optimizing for new markets therefore requires flexibility not only in content but in workflows. How quickly can you introduce market-specific bet limits? Can you change default order types? Can you present compliance-driven messages without damaging the experience?

When frontend and backend are tightly integrated yet loosely coupled, these adjustments can be made without disrupting the wider platform. That is what allows operators to remain compliant while still delivering a product that feels purpose-built for that market.

Real growth comes from local relevance

The most successful exchange launches we see are not the ones with the biggest marketing budgets. They are the ones where players feel at home quickly.

When an exchange loads fast, displays familiar market structures, and uses local language and conventions, it builds trust. That trust turns casual users into repeat traders, and repeat traders into liquidity providers.

From a commercial perspective, this is where scalability becomes real. A flexible exchange frontend allows operators to enter new markets faster, test configurations, and optimize conversion without re-engineering the core platform each time.

Operator-led, platform-driven

At Pronet Gaming, our betting exchange roadmap is driven by one simple principle: every technical decision should make it easier for operators to grow.

That means building tools that let them adapt, localise, and optimize without friction. It means designing interfaces that reduce learning curves. And it means ensuring that performance, stability, and speed are never compromised as markets and regulatory complexity increase.

New markets will always bring uncertainty. But with the right exchange architecture, operators can turn that uncertainty into opportunity; and scale with confidence rather than constraint.

Konami Gaming launches its real‑money online slots in Italy via Betflag

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Konami Gaming and Betflag have confirmed the official Italian market debut of Konami’s real‑money online slots, expanding the company’s presence in the EU’s third most populous member state.

BetFlag

As a top operator in Italy’s regulated online gaming sector, Betflag has become the nation’s first platform to bring Konami’s real‑money online slots to smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Italian players can now dive into global hits like All Aboard™, China Shores™, and Lotus Land™, unlocking hidden features, fan‑favorite characters, and exciting jackpots with every spin.

“Service and entertainment stand at the forefront of Betflag’s popular success, which we are excited to expand to even greater heights with Italy’s debut premiere of Konami real-money online slots,” said Laviero Saganeiti, casino business developer at Betflag. “The depth, variety, and global prominence of the game content available with Konami Online Interactive will serve our online players for years to come.”

Konami Online Interactive

Through this strategic partnership, Betflag players can look forward to a vast library of popular Konami slots, spanning beloved classics to today’s biggest hits. For more than a decade, players have enjoyed Konami slot games inside Italy’s most renowned land-based gaming destinations. Now through Betflag, those recognizable games are made mobile, for more opportunities to safely and securely spin.

Aching, vice president of iGaming & international gaming operations at Konami Gaming
Aching, VP of iGaming & International Gaming Operations at Konami Gaming

“The Italian launch of Konami Online Interactive with Betflag is a milestone moment, further highlighting Betflag’s longtime market leadership and innovation,” shared Eduardo Aching, VP of iGaming & International Gaming Operations at Konami Gaming. “Betflag players in Italy are among Europe’s first to experience online entertainment that we aim to deliver to many more regulated iGaming markets worldwide.” 

Licensed under the European Union, Konami Gaming, Inc.’s official Europe Branch is based in Koper, Slovenia and delivers direct service and support to casino operators across the region.

Slotmill launches Lucy Luck and the Quest for Coins

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Lucy Luck and the Quest for Coins is Lucy’s latest feature‑packed adventure from the innovative game studio Slotmill — an action‑packed cluster slot where every win shatters layers of blocks to reveal hidden spaces and treasure‑filled chests beneath.

Featuring Coin Cluster, coin wins merge together to create even bigger rewards before fresh avalanches bring new opportunities.

Charge up Lucy’s meter with every winning symbol to unleash explosive sprays of coins and wilds, pushing the overall multiplier higher with each step. The free spins bonus takes the adventure further as progress carries over between rounds, letting multipliers and uncovered areas build toward massive rewards.

Super Free Spins raise the stakes even more, with coins that stick and sink as Lucy’s greatest treasures reveal themselves, all on the path to a max win of 20,000 times your bet!

Set on a 5×6 reel layout with 20 magical paylines, the game offers the chance for truly legendary wins of up to 12,000x your bet. Leading the charge are the Rainbow Wilds, bursting with colour and luck. These Wilds expand downward, transforming every position they cover into a Wild symbol. As the rainbow grows, so does the reward, with multipliers increasing up to an impressive x6.

Follow the trail of gold into the Golden Pots Free Spins feature, where Rainbow Wilds appear more frequently, lighting up the reels with Irish fortune. For those truly blessed by luck, Super Free Spins can be triggered — turning all Rainbow Wilds into radiant Super Rainbow Wilds that expand in both directions, showering the reels with colour, coins, and colossal win potential.

This is just a first glimpse of what’s ahead — stay tuned for more details and the upcoming release March 12th. 

Novomatic’s takeover bid for Ainsworth fails

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Ainsworth Game Technology (AGT) has terminated its transaction implementation deed with Novomatic AG after the Austrian gaming group’s takeover offer for the company failed to become effective by the agreed deadline.

In an ASX filing, Ainsworth said the unconditional off-market takeover bid by Novomatic for all outstanding ordinary shares closed at 7pm Sydney time on February 6th, 2026. As the proposed scheme was not implemented by the end date and the offer subsequently lapsed, the company exercised its right to terminate the agreement with immediate effect.

Although final results have yet to be released, Novomatic’s last disclosed holding on January 29th stood at 66.59 percent, up from 52.9 percent at the start of the offer in August 2025, but still short of the 75 percent required to take Ainsworth private.

The failed bid unfolded against the backdrop of a competing off-market offer led by Ainsworth founder and major shareholder Kjerulf David Hastings Ainsworth, who had sought to consolidate family control and counter Novomatic’s takeover attempt.

Founded in Australia in 1995, Ainsworth Game Technology is a long-established supplier of gaming machines and related technologies, with operations across the Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Novomatic, headquartered in Austria, is one of the world’s largest gaming technology groups, operating casinos and gaming equipment businesses in more than 45 countries and supplying products to thousands of gaming venues worldwide.

PAGCOR tightens regulations on online gambling

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced on Wednesday that it will be enforcing stricter regulations regarding online gambling, particularly in terms of know-your-customer (KYC) protocols, advertising restrictions, and promoting responsible gaming measures.

According to the Philippine News Agency, this initiative comes as the Senate examines the social and financial implications of online gambling in the country.

Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman of PAGCOR
Opening speech by Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman of PAGCOR at ASEAN Gaming Summit 2024

During a Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing, PAGCOR chairperson Alejandro H. Tengco informed lawmakers that gambling advertisements are already prohibited during peak television and radio hours.

Additionally, discussions are underway to consider extending this ban throughout the day. Tengco remarked, “During prime time, advertisements are already prohibited”, highlighting ongoing consultations with industry stakeholders.

Jessa Mariz Fernandez, the officer in charge of PAGCOR’s Electronic Gaming Licensing Department, stated that measures have been implemented to close loopholes that previously allowed players to access gambling platforms before completing identity verification.

Jessa Mariz Fernandez

The revised KYC process mandates that registrants provide their name, contact information, a valid government-issued ID, and a real-time selfie with the ID. This change is aimed at reducing instances of borrowed or fake identities, a concern frequently raised in prior Senate hearings.

On the advertising front, PAGCOR is collaborating with the Ads Standards Council to finalize regulations for gambling promotions on social media and other digital platforms. Illegal advertisements are also being monitored and reported to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the National Telecommunications Commission for action.

Other measures involve the introduction of online self-exclusion tools on gaming platforms, accrediting treatment and rehabilitation centers for problem gamblers, and removing gambling-related billboards and outdoor ads.