In a recent operation in Bonifacio Global City in Manila, Filipino authorities apprehended 112 individuals, including 95 Filipinos and 17 foreign nationals, at an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub.
The raid was conducted by the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-NCR), the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and the Southern Police District while searching for a Chinese national wanted for fraud.
According to The Phil Star, Lt. Col. Jerry Amindalan from CIDG-NCR stated the suspect had been under surveillance for nearly a week and was ultimately captured.
Upon entering the office, police discovered rows of computers linked to alleged illegal gambling sites, along with mobile phones assigned to each workstation. The operation was disguised as an IT solutions company but was reportedly involved in online scams.
The facility was not registered with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and authorities suspect the Chinese national may have acted as an interpreter for the operation.
The CIDG is currently verifying the work permits of the foreign nationals. Those arrested have denied any involvement in illegal gambling, claiming the office was not a POGO hub.
Australian wagering market technology supplier BetMakers Technology Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets and liabilities of the Las Vegas Dissemination Company (LVDC), strengthening its foothold in the United States.
The Australian wagering technology firm said LVDC is expected to generate about $4.5 million in revenue and be at least EBITDA break‑even in its first year, with further growth opportunities anticipated.
Founded in 1988, LVDC provides race information, off‑track betting processing and common‑pool wagering services to casinos, sportsbooks, racebooks, bars and online platforms.
BetMakers said the acquisition would give it direct access to Nevada’s tier‑one casino operators, including Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, Wynn, Sands and SouthPoint, and serve as a launchpad for rolling out enhanced digital wagering solutions.
Completion of the deal remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, with BetMakers expecting to finalize the transaction in the second half of fiscal 2026.
Chief executive Jake Henson said Nevada represented “one of the largest blue‑sky opportunities in the US market” given the limited digital adoption of horse racing.
“This acquisition gives BetMakers a launchpad to bring world‑class digital wagering experiences to Nevada customers and accelerate our US growth strategy”, he said.
Good Morning. Build it and they will come. The UAE is banking exactly on that, with Ras Al Khaimah acting as its key testing ground for IRs with casinos. Wynn Resorts indicates that it already has some $3.4 billion either spent or pledged for its Al Marjan Island development, with massive expectations to boost tourism and regional development, while also reaping the benefits. Looking to Vietnam, the Sun Group is establishing its own fiefdom, building out its Van Don property while simultaneously moving in on non-gaming in Phu Quoc. The operator’s savvy approach of investing in infrastructure and development is a testament to its long-term vision, which is likely to pay off.
Wynn Resorts is no stranger to flinging billions at projects, but it always has a game plan. For its first integrated resort in the United Arab Emirates, its strategic plays appear to be working, gaining it the first-mover advantage in a massive new market when it opens Wynn Al Marjan Island. So far, over two-thirds of its $5.1 billion budget is either spent or contractually secured, and the property grows by the day, on track for an early-2027 opening.
Cambodia is launching a visa-free pilot program for Chinese nationals starting in mid-June of next year, allowing visits of up to 14 days.
According to Chinese state media, the trial period is set to last four months, from June 15th to October 15th of 2026.
Chinese nationals will not have to apply for a visa or pay related fees, merely filling out an electronic arrival card. Multiple entries will be allowed during the period.
Following the announcement, there was a surge in searches for Cambodian destinations on key Chinese travel sites, with a strong increase in air ticket searches for key cities such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Cambodia is aiming to increase its tourism influx, negatively impacted by the spat with Thailand – which also heavily improved relations with China by cancelling its proposed casino legislation.
Cambodia received some 1 million visits by Chinese tourists in the first 10 months of the year, according to official data.
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) Index marked November with a slight retraction, falling by 1.5 percent from the prior month, but remained 16 percent higher than a year earlier.
During the month, six of the 10 AGEM Index companies reported stock price decreases, which resulted in six negative contributions and two negative contributions to the AGEM Index.
The largest negative contribution to the monthly index was Aristocrat Leisure Limited, whose 7.9 percent fall in stock price led to a 57.13-point loss for the index.
Meanwhile, Konami Corp also saw its stock price fall by 7.4 percent, leading to a 54.52-point loss for the index.
The largest positive contribution to the index was Light & Wonder, whose 39.8 percent increase in stock price resulted in a 100.73-point gain for the AGEM Index.
In November, two of the three major US stock indices increased from the prior month. The NASDAQ fell by 1.5 percent month-on-month, however the S&P 500 increased 0.1 percent. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.3 percent from the prior month.
BC.GAME is gearing up for Crypto Fight Night 2025 by launching CFN odds under its BC.GAME Specials, giving players a simple and intuitive Winner market to support their chosen fighters. The event, set for December 5 in Dubai, now has its full fight card confirmed.
1. Main event: Tactical Investing vs Barney
The headliner is Tactical Investing vs Barney at 85kg ±2, scheduled for three rounds of two minutes with 14oz gloves. American debutant Alexander “Tactical Investing” Bannister steps in against UK fighter Louis “Barney” Smith, who brings a 2–1 record. One side offers physical tools and the unknowns of a first outing; the other arrives with live ring experience and proven results.
In BC.GAME Specials, this main event is available on the Winner market. The page shows the two fighter names, fight time, and their respective prices. Players can simply use their read on form and style to decide who they think will come out on top and place their pre-fight bets accordingly. As the final bout of the night, it’s also the most natural place to start a CFN betting slip.
2. Heavyweight clashes: big frames, short distance
Heavyweight action is another key draw on this CFN card. Several bouts sit in the 94–105kg / 210lbs+ range with a three-round format, including matchups such as Primetimeindy vs White Boy Summer (210lbs ±10) and Majestic Drama vs NFT Kid (220lbs ±3). Higher weight and shorter distance mean every clean shot has the potential to swing the result.
With the Winner market in focus, the betting logic stays straightforward: looking at size, power, recent form and approach, deciding who is more likely to have the upper hand in exchanges, then see whether the current price matches the expectations before choosing a side. For fans who enjoy heavy punches and momentum swings, these fights naturally become must-watch and often must-bet moments on the card.
3. Women’s bout and statement matchups: higher tempo, clear identities
The women’s bout on the card is Crypto Queen vs Blonde Broker at 56kg ±2 over 3×2 minutes. The shorter rounds and higher tempo put a premium on footwork, timing, and clean combinations. On the Winner market, many players will focus on who manages distance, rhythm and shot selection more convincingly, then align their pick with the odds on offer.
The card also includes several matchups with very distinct identities, such as The Iron Brit (ElliotLFG) vs Kimchi Papi. These pairings come with built-in narrative and stylistic contrasts, making them well suited to informed, opinion-driven betting: the more user understands about a fighter’s background, approach, and in-ring personality, the easier it is to choose a side and let a single ticket plug user into that storyline for the night.
4. How CFN appears on BC.GAME
CFN odds are currently grouped under BC.GAME Specials – Crypto Fight Night. Once players enter this section, they’ll see the matchups laid out as individual fight cards featuring:
Both fighter names for each bout;
The event date and basic fight details;
The corresponding Winner prices.
As this year’s Exclusive Gaming Partner, BC.GAME uses these dedicated CFN markets to connect what happens in the ring with the choices on each betting slip, making sure Crypto Fight Night 2025 feels like a complete experience from the moment players start taking positions to the final bell.
Konami Gaming announced the ICE Barcelona debut of two major industry highlights: Konami Online Interactive and the new Solstice cabinet line.
The company is showcasing a selection of omni-channel game releases for casino customers inside stand #2W70—spanning new licensed IP to original creations—alongside its award-winning SYNKROS casino management, trusted by casino venues across global markets for its industry-leading reliability.
Aching, VP of iGaming & International Gaming Operations at Konami Gaming
“Whether land-based, online, or both, casino operators are encountering the industry’s latest advancements to reach and engage players at the Konami stand,” said Eduardo Aching, VP of iGaming & International Gaming Operations at Konami Gaming. “The official ICE debut of Konami Online Interactive and Solstice is a must-see at this year’s event, both backed by top Konami game content.”
Following a landmark year of iGaming growth, Konami has announced Konami Online Interactive as the new branded presence for its iGaming offering. Through the company’s owned remote gaming server (RGS), online operators can tap into casino slot games that have been enjoyed by players for decades. Konami Online Interactive’s robust RGS is also home to the latest slot creations, including slots inspired by the BOMBERMAN video game series beloved by players for more than 40 years.
“The world’s first slot game inspired by BOMBERMAN is among the key omni-channel entertainment showcases at ICE 2026, available exclusively through Konami Online Interactive and Konami’s all-new Solstice game hardware,” added Aching. “Solstice exemplifies the very latest game hardware technology, in everything from its spatial audio package to its signature acrylic lighting elements, which interact with in-game features across a dynamic color spectrum.”
The arrival of Konami’s new Solstice line of casino game hardware is celebrated with a c-curve portrait screen machine called Solstice 49C, backed by a strong game library. In addition to BOMBERMAN slot games, Konami is highlighting Red Fortune Rail at ICE 2026, with a high-energy nested bonus in the credit collection feature that amps the excitement for players through lucrative potential multipliers.
Another key Solstice showcase is a triple bonus game called Dragon Firecracker, delighting players through its bright animations and jolly hero characters.
During ICE 2026, Konami’s SYNKROS team will highlight top casino systems technology to advance guest service and operational success. This includes SYNKROS Drink System and the Konetic employee mobile application—both recognized in the 2025 Gaming & Technology Awards.
These top systems tools, and more, are further maximized by SYNKROS’ robust reliability, scalability, and data infrastructure. Attendees are encouraged to visit the Konami stand #2W70 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via on January 19 – 21, 2026, to explore these and more Konami releases.
SOFTSWISS Sportsbook sets the standard, taking home the Best Online Sportsbook Provider at SiGMA South Asia Awards 2025, which took place on 30 November in Colombo, Sri Lanka, recognising outstanding achievement and meaningful contributions to the region’s iGaming landscape.
This award comes at a milestone moment for the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, which has just marked its fifth anniversary. Built on a flexible, platform-agnostic architecture, the solution seamlessly integrates with any casino platform on the market in under 14 days.
Alexander Kamenetskyi
Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, celebrated the milestone, stating: “Winning Best Online Sportsbook Provider in South Asia is meaningful because it reflects the trust and results we deliver for operators in one of the world’s fastest-growing betting regions. Our priority is to give clients a stable, scalable platform backed by reliable technology and strong service support. This award shows that our approach works perfectly.”
Coming in the same year as the product’s fifth anniversary, this milestone follows a series of significant achievements in 2025, including:
The launch of the industry’s first Sportsbook Network Jackpot, with a prize of over 80,000 euro from a 166 euro combo bet with total odds of 4.38.
A major technical overhaul ofAPI 2.0, enabling faster onboarding and more scalable integrations.
A renewed CMS, giving operators deeper control over content, branding, and event management.
Beyond daily operations, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team is actively shaping the future of the betting industry. In the recently released 2026 iGaming Trends report, the team shares its insights on emerging microtrends, including the rise of microbetting and the increasing integration of sportsbooks into online casino projects.
Playson has unleashed a whirlwind of excitement in its latest release, Tornado Power: Hold and Win, introducing a new Tornado Feature and enhanced payouts.
The 3×4, 10 payline slot features immersive visuals with old-school charm, as the untamed gameplay is further enhanced by a new Tornado Feature, which can be randomly triggered whenever a Thunder Bonus Symbol lands during the Main Game or Bonus Game.
Once active, multipliers of up to an impressive 20x may activate as well as Bonus Symbols to increase the likelihood of triggering the Thunder Bonus Feature or Hold and Win Bonus Game.
When both a Bonus Symbol and Thunder Bonus Symbol land on the reels, the Thunder Bonus Feature comes into action. The feature collects the values of all Bonus Symbols in play, including four in-game Jackpot Symbols, before adding them to the winnings for the spin in the Main Game or Total Win in the Bonus Game.
Landing at least one Bonus Symbol on each reel grants access to the Hold and Win Bonus Game, where players benefit from only Bonus and Thunder Bonus symbols for the entirety of the round.
Additional entry to the Bonus Game is also boosted by the Pile of Gold Feature. Any Bonus Symbols that land on the reels during the main game can randomly trigger the feature, which sees Bonus and Thunder Bonus Symbols added to the grid in quantity enough to activate the Bonus Game.
The Tornado Power: Hold and Win release demonstrates Playson’s ability to develop unique mechanics that enhance player engagement based on data-driven insights.
Anton Ivannikov, CPO at Playson, said: “Tornado Power: Hold and Win showcases our commitment to elevating the Hold and Win experience with engagement-boosting mechanics that genuinely move the needle. The new Tornado Feature introduces a fresh layer of dynamism to gameplay, giving players more ways to interact with bonus elements and enjoy heightened win potential. It’s a strong reflection of our data-led approach to development, and we’re confident it will resonate across a variety of markets.”
From January 19-21, 2026, the company will welcome the global iGaming industry at stand 2D12 in the Fira Barcelona Gran Via to showcase its proven, end-to-end platform.
This appearance marks a significant moment to highlight over a decade of innovation and reliability. ProgressPlay has built its reputation on a robust and flexible technology stack that empowers operators worldwide. The comprehensive platform seamlessly integrates a full spectrum of verticals, including Sweepstakes, Bingo, Casino, and Sportsbook, through customisable white-label, turnkey, and standalone solutions engineered for market growth.
Marina Nahhas
“We are thrilled to engage with the global iGaming community in the vibrant setting of Barcelona,” said Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing at ProgressPlay. “ICE provides the ideal stage to demonstrate how our proven platform serves as the foundation for our partners’ success.”
Nahhas added: “We go beyond providing technology; we build lasting partnerships. At the event, we will showcase how our customisable solutions are specifically tailored to help operators captivate players and efficiently expand their market share.”
Attendees will experience ProgressPlay’s platform firsthand, while the company’s team of experts will be on hand to discuss unique market challenges and demonstrate practical, scalable solutions designed to drive revenue and ensure long-term viability.
Itai Lowenstein
“Our participation in ICE 2026 is a powerful statement of our commitment to the industry and our partners,” said Itai Lowenstein, CEO of ProgressPlay. “Since our inception, our mission has remained unwavering: to deliver reliable, innovative, and fully compliant technology that provides a tangible competitive edge.”
Lowenstein concluded: “The trust we’ve earned from operators globally is a direct result of this consistent dedication. We eagerly anticipate connecting with both current and future partners in Barcelona to help write their next chapter of success.”
