Xpoint, a leading geolocation and compliance technology company, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Tom Flaherty as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as the company continues to grow its presence globally.
Flaherty joins Xpoint with a proven track record in financial leadership, fundraising, and M&A within the software, SaaS, and technology sectors.
Throughout his career, Flaherty has held numerous c-level and senior positions, most recently serving as CFO at ActiveWorx, where he led the company to a successful exit via acquisition in 2024 after closing a Series A round and executing two strategic acquisitions.
At Xpoint, Flaherty will work closely with CEO Manu Gambhir and the rest of the executive team to drive fundraising efforts, optimise operational performance, and support the company’s continued global expansion.
Manu Gambhir, CEO of Xpoint, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Tom to Xpoint, and he joins us at a very exciting time for the company, where we are ramping up our efforts to further establish ourselves as a leading geolocation technology provider in the iGaming space. Tom’s extensive experience in driving financial strategy, especially within the technology sector, will be invaluable as we continue to expand our global footprint.”
Tom Flaherty, CFO of Xpoint, added: “I’m excited to join Xpoint at this pivotal juncture and I look forward to collaborating with the team to drive sustainable growth, enhance our operational capabilities, and create long‑term value for our stakeholders through strategic financial leadership.”
Relax Gaming, a leading iGaming aggregator and provider of exclusive content, is bringing high-stakes action to players with its adrenaline-pumping new release, Cash in Transit.
This latest title delivers a pulse-racing experience, packed with suspense, strategy, and lucrative rewards. A highly volatile 5×4 slot sees players joining a cunning gang of thieves in the City of London, attempting to commit the ultimate crime and get away with prizes worth up to 10,000x.
The action begins when three or more Bonus Symbols land, unlocking the game’s Bonus Reels. Players are awarded three respins, which reset with every new symbol that drops. As reels fill with loot, up to two additional reels can be unlocked, increasing the chances of landing valuable symbols and hitting big wins.
A range of criminally clever features can be triggered when special symbols such as the Cash Bag, Bag Man, Lock Smith, Gov’Nor, Pawn Broker, Detective and Constable land on the reels. Each symbol brings unique abilities to the chase, from revealing and collecting all visible values and amplifying symbol values to bringing non-persistent symbols to life again.
Persistent variants of these character symbols can appear, raising the stakes even more, triggering their abilities at the end of each spin and pushing players toward a genuinely successful heist.
Shelley Hannah, CPO at Relax Gaming, said: “Cash in Transit has all the makings of a legendary Relax Gaming slot. With a truly thrilling bonus reel mechanic that showcases a cunning gang of criminals, we think players will revel in the high-octane action and enjoy the engaging London heist theme with Bonus symbols and respins also up for grabs.”
International Game Technology (“IGT”) has introduced its Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS™ Premium Wheel cabinet to casinos across the United States.
Players at Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, California, and Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, were among the first to experience the excitement of the Wheel of Fortune Cash Link™ Reels Double Diamond™ and Wheel of Fortune Cash Link™ Reels Double Gold games, showcased on IGT’s latest high-tech mechanical-reel cabinet.
“The U.S. market arrival of IGT’s Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet is the latest of many exciting Wheel of Fortune product introductions for 2025,” said Nick Khin, IGT President for Global Gaming. “The cabinet’s transmissive IGT Diamond Glass™ enables our game designers to develop incremental lower-box content that is unique in stepper-style games, while the game’s standout overall design and features deliver high-quality entertainment that players expect from Wheel of Fortune slots.”
Designed exclusively for Wheel of Fortune game content, the Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet boasts a 20-inch physical wheel, a 32-inch LCD top box, and a 23-inch transmissive display. Wheel of Fortune Cash Link™ Reels Double Diamond™ and Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Gold are part of IGT’s new Ultra Link; a wide-area progressive (“WAP”) network with a $1.125 million jackpot re-set value.
Good Morning. The grey and black markets continue to thrive in Southeast Asia, with the United Nations again pointing a finger at illicit operations which exploit loopholes to facilitate fraud and money laundering. A new UNODC report highlights underground banking services and online gambling operations as key for their ongoing success, despite regulatory attempts. Meanwhile, Thailand continues its stumble-start towards casino legislation, attempting to overcome numerous bumps in the road despite general government support.
Southeast Asia has become a hotbed for new, diversified criminal operations, with online gaming a key component of how criminal syndicates move and filter money, according to a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The international body highlights how extensive syndicates can target weak regulatory jurisdictions, offering lucrative opportunities and facilitating fraud and money laundering.
Playtech announced a landmark long-term partnership with ProgressPlay, selecting Playtech as their exclusive bingo provider. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as ProgressPlay becomes the first white-label network to launch Playtech’s cutting-edge bingo platform, which went live in December 2024.
The partnership between ProgressPlay and Playtech is a perfect synergy of innovation and expertise. ProgressPlay’s white-label bingo platform, combined with Playtech’s industry-leading bingo network, creates a best-in-class experience for operators and players alike.
The UK online bingo market is thriving, with 3.5 million players engaging in online bingo games every week and a gross gambling yield (GGY) exceeding €700 million annually. ProgressPlay and Playtech are poised to capitalise on this growth, offering operators and players an unparalleled bingo experience.
With 120+ gambling sites already on board, the success of ProgressPlay’s white-label bingo speaks for itself. This partnership is not just a milestone, it’s a vision for the future of online bingo, where innovation, engagement, and profitability come together to create a truly transformative gaming experience.
Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing at ProgressPlay, emphasised: “With ProgressPlay leading the charge, operators now have an unmatched solution to attract and retain bingo players. This is next-gen bingo, built for scalability, engagement, and profitability.”
For operators, the platform offers scalability, increased revenue through cross-sell opportunities, and enhanced player retention thanks to engaging features and seamless gameplay.
This strategic alliance strengthens the existing relationship between the two companies, further solidifying Playtech’s position as the B2B market leader in bingo. By joining Playtech’s network, ProgressPlay gains access to the largest B2B liquidity in the market, offering players a wide variety of networked rooms and beloved bingo experiences.
ProgressPlay’s next-generation white-label bingo has officially launched across 120+ UK gambling sites, redefining how operators deliver engaging, high-performing, and scalable bingo experiences. Designed for both established operators and new brands, ProgressPlay offers a white-label bingo solution packed with innovative features that keep players entertained and coming back for more.
The platform’s key features include customisable branding, allowing operators to tailor the experience to reflect their unique identity. Multi-device play ensures a seamless experience across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices, while dynamic jackpots and exciting prize structures keep players engaged.
Enhanced social features, such as chat rooms and community-building tools, foster player interaction, and seamless integration with sportsbook, casino games, slots, and live dealer experiences creates a holistic gaming ecosystem. This isn’t just bingo, it’s next-level entertainment, profitability, and engagement.
For players, the partnership delivers variety, flexibility, and excitement. Access to a wide range of networked rooms and side games, including Playtech’s Eyecon studio slots, ensures there’s something for everyone. A smooth, responsive, and immersive experience across all devices keeps players engaged, while tailored promotions and jackpots enhance the gaming experience.
Marat Koss, VP of Interactive Gaming at Playtech, commented: “We are delighted to welcome ProgressPlay to the Playtech Bingo network. This partnership allows us to extend our successful collaboration into the bingo vertical, offering ProgressPlay’s players a best-in-class experience with a wide choice of content, attractive prizes, and a variety of games.”
The collaboration between ProgressPlay and Playtech is a testament to the power of innovation and partnership in the iGaming industry. Together, they are redefining what bingo can be, offering operators a scalable, customisable, and profitable solution while delivering players an immersive and engaging experience. The bingo revolution is here, and ProgressPlay and Playtech are leading the charge.
Itai Loewenstein, CEO at ProgressPlay, added: “We are thrilled to integrate Playtech’s innovative bingo platform into our offerings. This collaboration enables us to deliver unparalleled gaming experiences and next-level entertainment to our operators. Together, we are setting a new standard for the industry.”
NOVOMATIC, one of the world’slargest gaming technology groups, has announced a new strategic distribution partnership in Asia with Harvest Gaming, a renowned company headquartered in Singapore.
This new venture marks an important step in NOVOMATIC’s strategy of expanding its presence across Asia and reinforces the Group’s long-term commitment to international growth through strong regional collaborations.
Under the new agreement, Harvest Gaming will represent NOVOMATIC’s leading portfolio of land based gaming solutions in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. With its in-depth market knowledge, excellent industry relations, and a customer-focused approach, Harvest Gaming is ideally positioned to support NOVOMATIC’s growth and deliver tailored solutions to local operators.
Michael Barsin, NOVOMATIC Sales, emphasized: “We are delighted to partner with Harvest Gaming in order to strengthen our footprint in Southeast Asia. Their deep understanding of the regional markets and dedication to supporting our customers make them excellent representatives of the NOVOMATIC brand. This partnership will allow us to serve operators in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam better with our tailored, high-performance gaming solutions.”
Alfred Hwee, General Manager at Harvest Gaming, added: “We are proud to be appointed as NOVOMATIC’s distributor for this important region. NOVOMATIC is globally recognized for its innovation, quality, and reliability – values that perfectly reflect our own business philosophy. We look forward to working closely with the NOVOMATIC team to support our customers and drive mutual growth in Southeast Asia.”
BetConstruct has announced the launch of its advanced Sportsbook Risk Management tool, designed to provide operators with real-time control over player tracking, turnover prediction, and loss minimisation.
Using a comprehensive database and expert tools, the tool identifies suspicious activity and profitable players, ensuring sportsbooks remain secure and effectively managed.
BetConstruct’s Sportsbook Risk Management toolenables operators to monitor player behaviour in real-time, detect potential risks, and respond proactively to emerging threats. Through detailed analysis of multi-accounts and behaviours, the system categorises players, ensuring that each receives the appropriate level of attention based on their unique profile. This flexible approach allows more effective and tailored risk management strategies to suit individual operators’ needs.
Key Features of BetConstruct’s Sportsbook Risk Management Tool:
Customisable risk management settings for each partner;
Real-time tracking of player behaviour;
Detection of potential flaws and fraudulent players;
Monitoring of new registered players and their betting patterns;
Categorisation of unknown players and identification of emerging risks;
Direct communication channels with partners;
Alerts and detailed reporting on the services provided;
Flexible pricing and cancellation policies.
Using tools such as Odds Comparison, FeedConstruct, and Umbrella, BetConstruct’s expert team can quickly identify suspicious behaviour and profitable players. By monitoring both winning and losing players, the tool effectively detects risks such as arbitrage betting and applies the necessary restrictions.
As live betting and mobile platforms continue to evolve, with players having instant access to real-time information, sportsbooks face new challenges. BetConstruct’s Sportsbook Risk Management tool has been designed to help operators meet these challenges by providing continuous, comprehensive protection.
Offering live control, predictable turnover, and the ability to swiftly respond to emerging threats, BetConstruct’s tool helps sportsbooks create safer and more profitable environments. With BetConstruct’s cutting-edge technology, operators are equipped to manage risk with confidence and precision.
Macau saw a marked increase in tourist arrivals during the Easter holiday period from April 18th to 21st, with visitor arrivals exceeding half a million, despite the holiday not being observed in mainland China, Macau’s primary tourist source market.
According to data released by the Public Security Police Force, Macau welcomed 118,999 visitors on April 18th, the first day of the Easter holiday. The number increased substantially to 161,309 on April 19th, making it the peak day of the period. Visitor arrivals then moderated to 139,791 on April 20th, while April 21st recorded 80,708 visitors by 5pm, with final figures expected to rise further.
Across the weekend, many areas of Macau recorded heavy tourist traffic. In total, Macau received at least 500,807 visitors during the Easter holiday period.
Andy Wu, president of the Macau Tourism Industry Association, projected that since Easter is not a long holiday, the surge was mainly driven by visitors from Hong Kong, and international tourist numbers were not expected to increase significantly.
The industry is now turning its attention to the upcoming Labor Day holiday, which will run from May 1st to May 5th in mainland China. This five-day public holiday traditionally represents one of the busiest travel periods for mainland Chinese tourists and is expected to bring a substantial boost to Macau’s visitor numbers.
Thailand’s controversial casino-entertainment complex bill faces significant obstacles and is unlikely to pass parliament despite government efforts, according to reports.
The Pheu Thai-led government recently backed away from attempts to fast-track the bill following strong opposition from various sectors. Consideration of the legislation has been postponed until the next parliamentary session, starting July 2nd. However, experts cited by the Bangkok Post suggest that the delay signals deeper issues for the proposal.
The bill encountered a major setback when Chaichanok Chidchob, secretary-general of coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party, publicly opposed it in parliament. In response, Interior Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul sought to downplay reports of tensions within both the party and the broader coalition government.
Political analyst Stithorn Thananithichot, of King Prajadhipok’s Institute, told the publication that the government cannot keep postponing deliberation indefinitely. He emphasized that a referendum would be the only viable solution if the government wishes to proceed amid ongoing opposition.
Critics have raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of legal casinos and questioned whether the bill might violate Thailand’s constitution. Some opponents have even threatened protests that could destabilize the government if the measure moves forward.
The bill’s prospects appear particularly dim given Bhumjaithai’s strong support base in Buri Ram province and its rumored close ties with many senators. With the 200-member Senate believed to contain many Bhumjaithai sympathizers, securing enough votes is seen as increasingly challenging.
Thepthai Senpong, a former Democrat MP, noted that opposition to the project cuts across political lines. He explained that concerns center largely on moral and ethical issues, leading diverse groups to join anti-casino protests. Even typically apolitical organizations, such as the Academy of Moral and Political Science at the Royal Society of Thailand and the Catholic Education Council, have voiced their opposition.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stressed that the government has not withdrawn the bill completely but will continue gathering public input. A special Senate committee has been set up to study the issue, with its evaluation expected to take 180 days.
Stithorn suggested that without a referendum, it is unlikely the entertainment complex project will materialize during the government’s remaining two years in office. He believes Pheu Thai understands that pressing forward could provoke strong resistance and potentially threaten the government’s survival.
Thepthai predicted that Pheu Thai might instead include the casino project in its manifesto for the next election, addressing criticism that it was not part of the party’s 2023 campaign pledges.
However, not all analysts share this outlook. Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political science lecturer at Burapha University, believes the bill will eventually pass. He argues that Pheu Thai can negotiate with coalition partners who are reluctant to break away from the government. Even if the bill’s passage led to an early end of the government’s term, Olarn suggested Pheu Thai could rely on handout pledges to regain voter support in future elections, notes the publication.
Transnational organized crime networks in Southeast Asia have aggressively diversified their operations, expanding beyond unregulated — and often illegal — online gambling into various financial and cybercrimes, according to a new report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The report, released on April 21st, also indicates that these groups are exploiting gaps in the regulation and monitoring of highly technical supply chains, transactions, and money flows involved in online betting.
The UNODC’s latest findings, detailed in the 94-page report titled Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centers, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia, state that ‘Asian crime syndicates are highly entrepreneurial and known to mask their criminal operations and illicit financial flows as legitimate business interests and investments.’
While organized crime has infiltrated many sectors, its presence is particularly strong in capital-intensive industries such as integrated casino resorts, hotels, junket operations, and — especially — the largely unregulated online gambling and digital payment platforms. These industries offer lucrative opportunities for criminal groups to expand their influence, conceal illicit activities, and transfer value across borders without detection.
Criminal groups have increasingly targeted jurisdictions with weak regulatory frameworks, minimal investor screening, and limited enforcement capabilities. In some cases, local officials have been co-opted through corruption or political contributions, providing criminal networks with unprecedented operational access and influence. ‘Investments into such industries have provided unprecedented operational utility, influence, and access to illicit actors,’ the report highlights.
A particularly concerning case identified by the UNODC involves a cluster of illegal online gambling websites associated with malware distribution, operated by a network referred to by researchers as ‘Vault Viper’. While the report refrains from naming the business group behind this operation, it describes it as a large and influential player in the Asian iGaming market.
This group, originally founded over two decades ago in Taiwan, has grown into a vast network of subsidiaries, shell companies, and offshore holdings. It has established hotels, casinos, and major technology and data operations across Southeast Asia. The group operates primarily through its Philippine-based entities in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, but maintains a presence in numerous jurisdictions, including Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Macau, Malta, and Samoa.
Its core service — a customizable white-label iGaming platform — provides turnkey solutions for launching online gambling sites, offering integrated casino games, sports betting, fraud monitoring, and even optional Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) modules. However, beyond gaming services, the group has recently been implicated in distributing malware through a modified web browser marketed to its users.
Known as ‘U Browser,’ this Chrome-based application — promoted as enhancing privacy and access — is embedded with hidden malware capable of taking screenshots, recording keystrokes, and capturing clipboard data from infected devices. The UNODC, citing independent technical analysis, revealed that after installation the browser connects to attacker-controlled servers, mainly located in China and Southeast Asia.
Mapping the network’s domain name system (DNS) infrastructure uncovered over 1,000 unique nameservers hosting thousands of active illegal gambling websites. Many of these sites are known to be operated by groups involved in cyber-enabled fraud, human trafficking, and money laundering.
The report also connects this business group to major criminal organizations, including ties to the convicted Macau-based VIP boss Alvin Chau, founder of Suncity Group. According to evidence presented during Chau’s sentencing in China in 2023, he held a majority stake in the group behind Vault Viper. Suncity Group was previously the world’s largest junket operator, responsible for up to half of Macau’s high-roller gambling turnover before its collapse.
Chau was sentenced to 18 years in prison for facilitating illegal bets exceeding $105 billion and operating underground banking networks. His operations, according to prosecutors, spanned China, Southeast Asia, Australia and beyond, servicing major organized crime groups engaged in cybercrime and drug trafficking.
The fall of Suncity Group has reshaped the criminal landscape in Southeast Asia. Authorities have observed a proliferation of underground banking services and online gambling operations previously linked to Chau’s network. ‘The business model pioneered by Alvin Chau and the extended network of criminal investors and clients he led and serviced remains widespread and is proving more consequential than ever before,’ the UNODC warned.
The agency also noted that although the use of malware by an iGaming platform of this scale is unprecedented, it fits a broader trend: illegal operators are increasingly expanding into cyber and cyber-enabled crimes. This evolution reflects the growing technological sophistication of Southeast Asia’s criminal networks.
