Casino entertainment provider Play’n GO is moving into the world of politics, aiming to contribute to global gaming policy by participating in the G7, G20 and United Nations General Assembly.
According to a release, the first step is participation in the G7 Leader Summit, which features the inaugural Global Forum on Responsible Gaming and Gambling Policy.
The session will be led by the company’s Head of Government Affairs, Shawn Fluharty and is scheduled for June 13th.
The engagement with operators is promising, with expectations to ‘engage directly with global leaders, regulators, neuroscientists, and public health experts on the critical intersection of gambling, mental wellness, and policy development.’
Shawn Fluharty, Head of Government Affairs at Play’n GO
The summit is set to be held in Calgary, Canada, and features numerous other operators involved, however Play’n GO highlights that it is the ‘only online supplier to be invited to participate at the forum’.
The event is a lead-in to the following G20 Summit and UN General Assembly, with Play’n GO’s Fluharty noting that: “As the only online supplier engaging directly at the G7 Forum on Responsible Gaming and Gambling Policy, and soon at the G20 Summit and United Nations General Assembly, Play’n GO’s presence will showcase the critical value of early collaboration with lawmakers and regulators in forging cohesive, global standards.”
The company celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Gaming product and services provider TCSJOHNHUXLEY has announced that it has been awarded a Gaming-Related Vendor License by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The license is issued by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) of the nation.
In a Wednesday release, the company noted that the move ‘marks a pivotal moment for the company, solidifying its position to operate and expand within the new UAE gaming market’.
It allows for TCSJOHNHUXLEY to supply live gaming solutions to ‘licensed commercial gaming operators across the UAE’.
The UAE has been expanding the licensing of companies to operate in the jurisdiction, following the progress of land-based legislation to allow casino gaming for the first time.
Notably, Wynn Al Marjan Island is slated for a 2027 opening, with many operators and suppliers moving quickly to ride the wave of what is bound to be a significant gaming jurisdiction.
Wynn Al Marjan Island, Ras Al-Khaimah
Speaking of the new license, the company’s Executive Chairman Tristan Sjöberg noted that “The UAE represents a significant and exciting new market, and we look forward to a long and successful future doing business here, contributing to the development of a world-class gaming industry.”
Despite being the undisputed king of gaming worldwide, surprisingly, Macau’s legislative system is not the most sought-after reference model for other gaming jurisdictions. Legal expert Bruno Ascenção looks at what each jurisdiction is aiming to do, what improvements could be made, and the major factors behind the necessities for legal adaptability in order for gaming to best benefit the population, and the coffers.
With over 30% of global gaming revenue projected to come from Asia soon, the window of opportunity is wide open. Bettorify’s white-label and turnkey solutions deliver what most platforms miss: sharp execution backed by real local expertise.
Macau, Japan and Singapore. Three vastly different gaming jurisdictions; two highly developed and one with massive potential. Gaming law expert Bruno Ascenção gives AGB a look at some of the highlights of each, derived in part from his LL.M studies in Gaming Law & Regulation with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Ascenção benefits from having practiced law in Macau for over 20 years, seeing the booms and busts that accompanied its growth; as well as the shifts in legislation, city planning, and politics involved in it gaining the crown as the world’s gaming capital.
Bruno Ascenção, Lawyer, BBA Legal Macau
But, despite its international recognition, back home Macau doesn’t want to be known for its lifeblood, focusing instead on promoting a non-gaming narrative.
“Ideally, I would like to see the Macau government explicitly recognize the gaming industry as a vital pillar of the local economy, much as Nevada has done, rather than treating it as something to be cautiously managed or gradually replaced,” notes Ascenção.
“The ongoing rhetoric about diversifying from gaming to non-gaming sectors is difficult to reconcile with current policies, such as the refusal to approve new hotel facilities,” he highlights.
This is not a new topic, as experts draw comparisons between Las Vegas and Singapore in regards to hotel capacity (something Macau is highly restrained in, given its limited land supply).
Until Hengqin shapes up, Macau still needs multiple changes: infrastructure improvements, better transportation, improved city planning and a realistic approach to its ‘1+4’ diversification strategy.
And the new administration could be key in that, adopting a more collaborative approach to the six concessionaires which provide some 85 percent of its tax revenue.
“The Macau government should actively involve gaming operators in major decisions, particularly those concerning infrastructure and city planning initiatives designed to attract overseas visitors. As the primary beneficiaries of increased international tourism, the operators possess unique expertise and insight into the preferences, behaviors, and expectations of global travelers,” he opines.
“Their direct engagement in shaping policies and projects ensures that investments are aligned to encourage visitors to spend within Macau’s integrated resorts, ultimately benefiting the entire community and reinforcing Macau’s goal to become a leading international tourism hub.”
At the end of the day, the operators still need to prove to the government that they’re meeting the goals that are expected under their concessions. And Macau’s waters are still a bit muddy.
“My primary concern is more fundamental: there remains a lack of clarity regarding Macau’s true public policy objectives for the gaming sector.”
Bruno Ascenção
Success in Singapore
Interestingly, from a legislative point of view, despite Macau being the frontrunner in Asian gaming, its legal framework has not been significantly highlighted in the approach of either Singapore or Japan.
As part of the UNLV experience, Ascenção was also privileged to meet with regulators and stakeholders in both Singapore and Japan, offering some key insights. Namely, neither one of the jurisdictions chose Macau as a basis for its regulations.
Singapore
“During our session with the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), Macau was not mentioned at all as a model that influenced Singapore’s legislation, neither in a positive nor a negative light. I found this omission quite telling, as it suggests that Macau’s regulatory framework was not considered a significant reference point by Singapore’s authorities when shaping their own approach,” notes the gaming law expert.
That seems particularly significant, given that Singapore has been highly mentioned as a model for gaming legislation in (hopefully) upcoming jurisdictions such as Thailand.
“It may reflect Singapore’s intent to distinguish its regulatory model or to avoid associations with Macau’s specific challenges and reputation.”
The law expert quotes renowned Professor Anthony Cabot: “Effective regulation is about tailoring systems to local needs, learning from international best practices, and optimizing outcomes based on a jurisdiction’s specific goals and circumstances”.
And Singapore has done this very efficiently, with strong AML measures, strict punishment for illegal gambling, strong licensing criteria, mandatory casino entry fees for citizens, exclusion orders for vulnerable individuals, and bans on casino advertising for locals.
“Just as with Singapore, Macau was not mentioned at all as an influence during discussions about the drafting of Japan’s gaming regulations. This omission is particularly striking given that many Japanese patrons regularly gamble in Macau and that Japanese regulators frequently visit the city,” notes the gaming law expert.
Ascenção notes that, instead, Japan pulled from Singapore and Nevada regulations as influences, “the former for its IR (integrated resort) and social safeguard model and the latter for its casino licensing and anti-organized crime measures”.
Japan had already established its primary gaming legislation – including the Integrated Resort Promotion Law of 2016 and IR Implementation Law of 2018 – before the pandemic.
Future changes could be coming, but it depends on what data is available.
MGM Osaka project render
“When asked whether legislative amendments might be preferable at this stage, the response was that any significant changes would likely be considered only after the opening of the MGM Osaka Integrated Resort. The rationale is to first assess the practical impact of the current framework before introducing further amendments,” indicates Ascenção.
And Japan has to battle a completely different beast than either Macau or Singapore: significant problem gambling; however that has not curbed enthusiasm.
“The excitement largely stems from the government’s ambition to attract foreign visitors and strengthen the tourism sector through integrated resorts. However, this is tempered by traditional Japanese unease about embracing gambling, particularly due to concerns over problem gambling and social harm”.
That is not the only problem, however.
“It is equally important for Japanese authorities to address the persistent and significant illegal gaming market. Illegal online gambling, in particular, remains widespread in Japan, with millions of Japanese participating in unlicensed sites and annual wagers estimated at $8.4 billion,” highlights the expert.
While these gaming jurisdictions are not the only standouts within Asia, they do highlight the importance of customized legislation that fits the needs of the government, the populace, and the operators – building a successful model that can scale and adapt, all while protecting its population and funneling the benefits of tax revenues where they’re needed.
Two have already proven themselves. And many are banking on the success of the (soon) newcomer.
Light & Wonder (LNW) has released Lightning Gorilla 2: Maximum Boltage, a supercharged sequel from in-house studio Lightning Box.
Set deep in the heart of the jungle, the 3×5 slot is filled with all the fan-favourite features of the original while introducing an exciting new twist, the Maximum Boltage Wheel.
Built to reward players for their persistence, the wheel fills during base play, and once fully charged, spins to award cash prizes, Jackpots or the Lightning Respin feature. Every win on the wheel leads to another spin, keeping the energy high and the wins flowing.
Landing six or more Lightning Bolt Scatters triggers the Lightning Respin feature, where prizes and jackpots can be collected. Each time a prize lands, the spins reset to three, while Colossal symbols can break into smaller ones to increase the number of prizes on screen.
If the Maximum Boltage Wheel lands on the Lightning Respin symbol, players are taken straight to the Respin bonus. The game features four jackpots, Mini, Minor, Major and Grand, with the top prize worth up to 1000x at max bet.
Lightning Gorilla 2: Maximum Boltage offers an exciting experience that delivers non-stop engagement. Available exclusively with Rush Street Interactive, the follow-up delivers even more spins and jungle-sized wins.
Michael Maokhamphiou, Studio Director at Lightning Box, said: “Lightning Gorilla 2: Maximum Boltage takes one of our most popular slots and supercharges the bonus round. The addition of the Maximum Boltage Wheel takes the excitement even further by rewarding consistent play and giving players even more chances to win.”
SEON, a global leader in digital fraud prevention, announced the launch of its expanded Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance suite, a significant step in the company’s evolution from fraud prevention to a unified risk solution.
SEON’s 2025 Digital Fraud Outlook reveals real-time transaction monitoring is the top investment priority for compliance and fraud teams this year — with 62% of organizations making this shift. To meet this demand, SEON’s AML suite delivers granular, real-time monitoring alerts that reduce false positives and improve detection accuracy across both fraud and AML use cases.
SEON at ASEAN Gaming Summit 2025
“We already use SEON as a key part of how we manage fraud risk at Casumo,” said Sebastian Brant, Director of CEX, Casumo. “They bring depth in proprietary risk signals we can’t get anywhere else, flexible tools that we can adapt to any scenario and a level of customer service responsiveness and expertise we simply haven’t seen elsewhere. We see the significant value of having one system that can help teams operate more efficiently and effectively.”
SEON serves as the unified solution for teams managing both fraud and AML compliance, helping them detect risks proactively, resolve cases faster and keep records audit-ready — all without navigating between different systems, eliminating manual steps or working off spreadsheets.
“Risk teams don’t need more tools — they need one that gives them a full picture,” said Tamas Kadar, Co-Founder and CEO, SEON. “This launch gives fraud and compliance teams a multi-dimensional command center to manage risk in one place. And because we own our data pipeline and can control data accuracy, this means our models deliver more accurate risk decisions.”
Built for the Way Risk and Compliance Work Today
Most risk teams are using legacy solutions that were not designed to support real-time decisions, instead relying on batch processing, leading to delayed reviews, siloed data and scattered case files with no audit trail. SEON replaces that with a single solution where fraud and AML data work together — giving teams a holistic view with more context, less noise and quicker paths to action.
Key Capabilities
Spot bad actors early with digital footprint and fraud signals before users enter KYC or AML checks;
Expedite reviews with AI-assisted customer screening that helps analysts resolve hits faster;
Detect risks instantly with real-time transaction monitoring and payment screening;
Investigate efficiently and close out cases faster with unified fraud intelligence, AML signals and transaction data in one dashboard;
Reduce time spent on regulatory reporting with autofill capabilities and AI-powered SAR narratives;
Submit SAR, CTR, and Form 8300 reports to FinCEN in one click, with status tracking and audit history; with expansion in progress to other regulatory bodies;
Lean on expert support from SEON’s Managed Risk Services team, offering guidance and rule management for leaner teams.
Developed through customer collaboration, SEON’s AML Compliance solution applies the same real-time capabilities, data quality and limitless customization that SEON is known for to compliance use cases, helping teams tailor risk programs to new products, regulatory jurisdictions, internal policies and evolving risks.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco on Tuesday, June 10, led the ceremonial launch of the second phase of construction for the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) building at Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City.
The six-story facility, envisioned as the PMAAAI’s future Center for Leadership Excellence, has funding support of Php600 million from Newport World Resorts Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of one of PAGCOR’s licensed integrated resorts.
Mr. Tengco lauded the initiative as a model of public-private partnership, underscoring its long-term value to the country’s defense and governance sectors. “This project is truly remarkable because it is being constructed at no cost to the Philippine government,” he said. “It stands as proof that the gaming industry, when properly regulated and responsibly managed, can be a strong partner in nation-building.”
Once completed, the building will serve as the official headquarters of the PMAAAI as well as a venue for strategic forums, leadership training, and legacy-building activities that will benefit generations of Filipino military leaders.
“We are optimistic that through this future Center for Leadership Excellence, we will not only help strengthen the PMAAAI as an institution but also help empower the Armed Forces and support our men and women in uniform,” Mr. Tengco said.
He added that the gaming industry, under strong regulatory oversight, has consistently been supporting high-impact and socially relevant initiatives.
“This structure is a solid proof of what can be achieved when public service and private enterprise are united by a shared vision for progress and patriotism,” he said.
Earlier this year, PAGCOR committed funds for the construction of modern facilities at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), including a modern warfare laboratory, additional sports facilities, a patient transport vehicle, and the renovation of PMA’s Candidate Control Liaison Office in Quezon City.
Shikenso Analytics, the AI-powered sponsorship analytics specialist for sports and esports, announced the renewal and expansion of its partnership with German esports giant Eintracht Spandau.
The ongoing collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation, measurable media value, and enhanced partner visibility.
Formed in 2021, Eintracht Spandau quickly rose the ranks to establish itself as a top German esports team under the leadership of Maximilian “HandOfBlood”: Knabe. Fast forward to the present, Spandau is now a regular at tournaments such as EMEA Masters and Prime League Pokal.
Under the renewed partnership, Eintracht Spandau leverages several key Shikenso solutions to optimize brand exposure, measure media values, and maximize sponsorship ROI:
Social Media Analytics: Measurement and valuation of brand exposure across multiple social platforms.
Video Analysis: Tracking and valuation of visible brand placements during live broadcasts and digital content.
Voice Analysis: Unlock the power of words along with context and capture brand mentions.
Hendrik Ruhe, Co-CEO at Eintracht Spandau, remarked: When we call ourselves a content team, we imply that we create narratives, protagonists, and live shows in order to build social relevance—relevance that is worth partnering with and paying for as a brand. Demonstrating the value of this partnership is no easy task. That’s why Shikenso has been a key partner from day one—helping us make our efforts measurable, transparent, and ultimately meaningful for our brand partners. Their reliable analytics provide the foundation we need to turn creativity into credibility.”
Arwin Fallah-Shirazi, Co-CEO & Co-Founder at Shikenso Analytics, added: “Eintracht Spandau represents the perfect blend of performance, personality, and professionalism in esports. It’s a privilege to help fuel their growth and bring deeper value to their commercial ecosystem since 2022.”
International Game Technology (IGT) announced the release of its striking RISE55 cabinet, now live on casino floors across the United States.
With robust, performance-focused content roadmaps for the premium-leased and for-sale game segments, IGT’s RISE55 cabinet debuted with the highly entertaining Magic Treasures Gold game. The RISE55 cabinet features a 55-inch ultra-HD curved display that delivers crisp graphics, enhanced audio technology, and remarkable player comfort.
“The RISE55 cabinet was crafted with the highest considerations for performance, comfort and serviceability, and is supported by a strong portfolio of multi-level progressive games,” said Nick Khin, IGT President, Global Gaming. “The U.S. market arrival of IGT’s RISE55 cabinet marks an exciting expansion of our hardware portfolio, providing our customers with a highly anticipated cabinet for engaging players and showcasing hot new IGT games such as Magic Treasures Gold.”
The RISE55 cabinet first hit casino floors in late May, with additional deployments planned through the summer. As the hardware’s Class III premium launch title, Magic Treasures Gold is a visually stunning multi-level progressive (“MLP”) game with features that build upon the success of IGT’s award-winning Magic Treasures game, including a leveled-up version of the Money Ball feature. Magic Treasures Gold has two base game themes, Emperor and Empress, each with a unique bonus event, free games and cash spins, respectively, and five compelling jackpot levels.
This month, IGT also released for-sale core titles on the RISE55 cabinet, including much-anticipated games Treasure Blast and Wolf Run Wild Moon.
Macau’s Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) has indicated that, for the first time, gaming operators have taken the initiative to file complaints regarding alleged bribery in the private sector, even against their employees.
The 2024 Annual Report was published today in the city’s Official Gazette, detailing a total of 293 cases formally placed on file throughout the year.
These included 113 cases investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau and 147 handled by the Macau Ombudsman. Additionally, 33 cases involved mutual assistance requests from law enforcement agencies outside the region, while 393 cases were either archived or referred to other departments as they did not meet the threshold for investigation.
A notable development highlighted in the report is the increasing willingness of private enterprises to take action against corruption internally. According to the CCAC, for the first time, ‘some integrated resort enterprises took the initiative to file complaints against alleged bribery in the private sector involving their employees.’
The commission emphasized that this marked ‘a change in the society’s attitude towards the processing of cases involving bribery in the private sector.’
Two bribery cases within the private sector were investigated and processed during 2024, which the CCAC said signaled a shift towards greater corporate accountability.
On the public sector front, the CCAC pursued several cases, including one involving alleged fraud against the Science and Technology Development Fund. Furthermore, the commission proactively investigated concerns highlighted in an audit report issued by the Commission of Audit related to the management of a public fund.
Although the investigation found no criminal conduct, the CCAC requested improvements in the fund’s administrative procedures and recommended measures to ‘plug the loopholes in supervision.’ The commission stated this was necessary to address ‘administrative problems discovered in the investigation.’
The CCAC also addressed trends in public sector behavior, noting a ‘significant decrease in the number of cases where public servants capitalize on their powers and functions to accept bribes.’
However, it expressed concern over continued breaches of basic professional duties, such as assiduity and punctuality.
