The Philippine president has vowed to use the full force of the law to shut down Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
In a social media post following a multi-agency task force meeting on Wednesday, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noted that “All the licenses of POGO and IGL operators nationwide have been canceled […] They will never be allowed to ravage our country again. Anyone who will conduct illegal operations will face the full force of the law”.
The ban, initially announced in July during Marcos’ State of the Nation Address, covers all offshore gaming operations – including POGOs, IGLs and other offshore gaming licenses.
When the ban was initially announced, there were around 60 licensed POGO operators.
According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the nation’s gaming regulator, there are now only seven – all of which are scheduled to close by year-end.
PAGCOR has indicated that all POGO and IGL licenses will be revoked by December 15th, while all direct and indirect operations of offshore gaming have to cease by December 31st.
The push to ban POGOs came in response to strong public feedback over troublesome issues tied to the operations, including fraud, human trafficking, prostitution and even murder.
Good morning. Macau’s gaming sector experienced a slowdown in early December largely due to increased traffic controls before President Xi Jinping’s visit. Despite this dip, the mass market GGR is performing well, at about 105 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels, with analysts anticipating growth of 3-4 percent quarter-on-quarter, and a year-on-year increase of 8.6 percent. At the same time, Macau’s outgoing Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, has said that “the city is no longer dominated by the gaming industry” representing 37.2 percent of the city’s GDP. Meanwhile, SJM Resorts is looking to Hengqin to expand its hotel room capacity, having decided to acquire office spaces to be reconverted into a new Lisboa brand hotel.
Analysts project a positive outlook for the 4Q24 in Macau, anticipating GGR growth of 3-4 percent quarter-on-quarter, and a year-on-year increase of 8.6 percent, though these figures are lower than previous quarters. Macau’s gaming sector experienced a slowdown in early December, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the first eight days totaling MOP4.5 billion ($562 million), reflecting a 9 percent decrease from November’s daily rates, largely due to increased traffic controls before President Xi Jinping’s visit.
Founded just two years ago with the support of title sponsor 1xBet and under the leadership of renowned coach Lee ‘SunBhie’ Jeong-jae, the Aurora Gaming team now competes in multiple disciplines, including Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, Mobile Legends, and Warcraft.
Altenar, a leading sportsbook provider is bringing its global expertise to Asia, looking to expand its operations. Since 2011, Altenar has powered hundreds of online sports betting sites worldwide and is a major B2B provider in Europe and Latin America licensed markets.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) block six more illegal online gambling websites after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include: Eddy Vegas, Lucky Friends, Lucky Ones, MoonWin, Slottie , and SpinsUP
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling. Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1,117 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.
Over 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.
SJM Resorts has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zhuhai Hengqin Shun Tak Property Development Company Limited, a subsidiary of Shun Tak Holdings Limited, to acquire office properties in Hengqin that will be reconverted into a new ‘Lisboa’ brand hotel.
In a statement issued by parent company SJM Holdings Limited, the gaming operator revealed this agreement pertains to the proposed RMB546 million ($75.1 million) acquisition of select office properties at the Shun Tak Business Center near the Hengqin Port to be transformed into a 3-star hotel.
The property, located on floors 21 to 29, encompasses nine levels of office space and a retail unit, totaling 14,845 square meters.
The chairman and executive director of SJM Holdings, Daisy Ho is also a director in the property’s owner Shun Tak, with her sister, Pansy Ho, being Chairman, CEO, and Director of the property and transport group founded by their father, Stanley Ho.
‘The Xin De Kou An Shang Wu Zhong Xin is strategically located near Hengqin Port and is well-connected to major transportation hubs, including the Guangzhou-Zhuhai Intercity Railway and the Macao Light Rapid Transit Interchange”, SJM added.
‘The property features high foot traffic, along with various amenities such as a retail mall, apartments, office spaces, and hotels.’
The announcement follows a policy introduced in July 2024 by Hengqin authorities that allows the conversion of commercial buildings into hotels, with five applications already approved.
‘The property will be transformed into a three-star hotel, with a focus on operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while enhancing the diversity of SJM Resorts’ hotel portfolio and broadening its reach into the mass market. Leveraging the prestigious Lisboa brand, this development will provide visitors with more diverse accommodation options’, SJM added.
Daisy Ho, Chairman of SJM Holdings and Managing Director of SJM Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, emphasizing its alignment with the Central Government’s supportive policies for Macau and the potential for diversified industrial development.
She highlighted the property’s prime location near Hengqin Port and its proximity to existing hotel operations, stating that it would broaden the Group’s customer base and enhance the Macau-Hengqin tourism sector.
The last years have seen the Central Government issue various policies increasing integration between Macau and the surrounding Greater Bay Area region, including the upcoming Hengqin-Macao multiple-entry visa policy for tour groups, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, and the recent launch of the Macau Light Rapid Transit Hengqin Line.
Gaming operators have referred that hotel capacity could become a significant constraint on Macau’s long-term growth, with the nearby special economic zone seen as a possible alternative to expand this capacity
As of August 2023, Hengqin has over 8,000 hotel rooms, approximately 2,000 of which are designated for business or leisure use. Reports suggest that Hengqin may increase its hotel room inventory to 100,000 in the future, although no official confirmation has been made regarding the eventual scale of hotel development on the island.
ProgressPlay, a leading company in the iGaming sector, has launched its fully customizable and UK-compliant Bingo platform, set to redefine how operators approach the UK market.
Designed with a focus on seamless integration and scalability, the platform promises to offer operators a highly engaging and flexible solution that caters to both established and emerging brands.
“It’s a game-changer for operators in the UK,” says Marina Nahhas, Sales and Marketing Manager at ProgressPlay. “Our Bingo platform is fully customisable, allowing operators to reflect their unique brand identities effortlessly. This not only helps them stand out in a competitive market but also provides a more personalised experience for their players.”
The platform has been developed with ease of use in mind, enabling quick and hassle-free integration into existing systems with minimal disruption. ProgressPlay’s Bingo platform is fully licensed and 100% compliant with UK regulations, offering operators peace of mind while adhering to industry standards.
“Our Bingo platform is designed with compliance at its core,” says Nahhas. “Operators can confidently offer Bingo knowing they are fully aligned with UK regulations, allowing them to focus on what matters most, engaging and retaining players.”
ProgressPlay’s Bingo platform is engineered to maximize player engagement through immersive and captivating gameplay. The platform not only increases retention rates but also boosts the lifetime value of players, making it an essential tool for operators aiming for sustained growth in the UK iGaming market.
“We wanted to create something that operators can truly leverage for growth,” said Itai Loewenstein, CEO of ProgressPlay. “With our platform, operators can offer a modern, fun, and engaging Bingo experience that not only captivates players but also drives business success.”
Uniquely positioned as the only comprehensive White-Label Bingo solution in the UK, ProgressPlay’s platform is part of a wider suite of iGaming products. This gives operators the flexibility to expand their portfolios by integrating other verticals, such as casino games and sports betting, all through one reliable partner.
“Our White-Label Bingo solution offers a true end-to-end experience,” Loewenstein continues. “We provide everything operators need to scale quickly, streamline operations, and capture new market opportunities.”
ProgressPlay’s innovative Bingo platform is set to revolutionize the way Bingo is offered in the UK market. With its robust features, ease of integration, and compliance, this platform is the ultimate tool for expanding market reach and enhancing player experiences.
Push Gaming‘s newest release, 10 Flaming Bisons, captures the essence of the American Frontier, showcasing the provider’s groundbreaking Push-up mechanic and exhilarating jackpots to heighten the thrill.
Played initially across 5×3 reels, various native American characters must form a matched combination across 20 paylines to award a win.
Focusing on risk and reward factors and gameplay preferences, players can increase the gameboard’s size via the Push Up mechanic, up to 5×4 or 5×5 in size, fostering a sense of strategy.
Regular symbols are joined by wilds in the base game, which aid players in unlocking a win. These are joined by Bison symbols, with four or more needed to grant an instant cash prize up to 1,000x.
Each additional Bison Symbol increases the position on an incrementally increasing prize ladder. They can also grant jackpot awards, including mini, minor, major and mega jackpots up to 5,000x, boosting replayability.
At least three scatters are needed to enter the bonus, where players will collect additional scatters to reveal an enhanced gameboard. Every four scatters collected unlock an extra row and grant more spins up to a maximum of a 5×7 grid home to 60 paylines, increasing win potential.
Prioritizing individual playstyles and blending the Push Up mechanic with jackpot prizes, 10 Flaming Bisons follows the successes of other recent Push Gaming titles, including Jaguar Drop, Cats of Olympuss and Big Bam-Book.
Ihor Lozynskyi, Head of Studio at Push Gaming, said: “10 Flaming Bisons is a thrilling evolution of last year’s 10 Swords. We have evolved this concept by combining beloved mechanics with pioneering new features like Push Up to captivate both seasoned players and newcomers. We are excited to see the numerous playstyles our fans will implement via these mechanics and look forward to them enjoying the progressive bonus game upon release.”
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has urged local government units (LGUs) to take an active role in enforcing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to shut down all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by the end of the year.
With the deadline fast approaching, Gatchalian emphasized the importance of vigilance in identifying and addressing POGO-related activities within local jurisdictions, particularly gatherings of foreign nationals that may signal ongoing operations.
The senator warned that some POGOs are resorting to fragmenting their operations into smaller, harder-to-detect, groups to evade authorities. He cited a recent raid in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, where foreign workers were found relocated after a major POGO hub in Metro Manila was shut down.
“POGOs are breaking into smaller groups and moving to provinces. This is where LGUs play a critical role—by being vigilant and alert to such developments,” Gatchalian stated in a news release.
He stressed that LGUs cannot afford to turn a blind eye to illegal activities within their territories. “LGUs must be proactive in addressing these activities. They cannot claim ignorance of what is happening in their areas of responsibility,” he added.
The senator warned that LGU officials who fail to act against illegal POGOs may face legal repercussions. He referenced the recent suspension of Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil and 10 others by the Ombudsman for alleged neglect of duty in relation to POGO operations in their area.
“This should serve as a reminder that inaction has consequences,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian called for closer coordination among LGUs, law enforcement agencies, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to ensure the complete eradication of POGO hubs by 2025.
“The effective enforcement of the POGO ban depends on the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders,” he said.
Smartico.ai, a leader in CRM automation and gamification solutions, has announced a partnership with BetComply, a trusted provider of compliance and licensing services, to expand its features across regulated markets worldwide.
The partnership will see BetComply assist Smartico by streamlining compliance and licensing processes, enabling key mechanics of its solutions to launch in jurisdictions following approval from regulators such as the UKGC and the MGA.
The collaboration will support Smartico’s global growth strategy, ensuring its innovative solutions can reach new audiences while meeting the highest regulatory standards. The deal marks an important milestone for the provider, reinforcing its commitment to working with expert service providers to complement and strengthen its capabilities.
By focusing on robust compliance, Smartico aims to position itself as a trusted provider in the global iGaming industry while significantly enhancing its client base.
Yuval Mechoullam, CBDO and Co-Founder of Smartico, said: “Our collaboration with BetComply is a natural step in our growth strategy, with their expertise invaluable as we navigate new markets. Through the partnership, we aim to expand our presence while ensuring the highest standards of compliance, paving the way for continual success in the global iGaming industry.
“By collaborating with trusted partners like BetComply, we are not only preparing for expansion but also ensuring that we continue to deliver the high-quality solutions that our clients expect.”
Loes Wetzer, Operations Director of BetComply, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Smartico to support the launch of their features into new regulated markets. Our mission has always been to simplify the compliance process and enable our clients to deliver exceptional products and services. We’re excited to be part of Smartico’s journey as they continue to grow and innovate.”
Cambodia launched an anti-gambling crackdown on December 11th, following the expiration of a 7-day ultimatum set by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
The ultimatum called on groups promoting illegal gambling to cease their activities by Tuesday.
According to the Khmer Times, authorities at both national and sub-national levels will begin enforcement operations, including arrests and shutting down platforms promoting illegal gambling.
The Cambodian Ministry of Interior has also observed a rise in illegal gambling content being shared on social media and other media platforms. This includes images and videos promoting both in-person and online gambling, often shared by influencers and content creators. This content has caused confusion among the public and led to further sharing, undermining public order and safety.
To address this, the Ministry has called for an immediate halt to the production, sharing, and promotion of all illegal gambling content. It also emphasized the importance of local authorities taking strict measures to monitor and prevent the spread of such content.
Additionally, the Ministry has urged sub-national administrations to raise public awareness of the risks associated with illegal gambling as part of the “Safe Villages, Communes, and Sangkats” initiative. The ministry indicated that legal action will be taken against individuals who continue to engage in these illegal activities.
Prime Minister Hun Manet and Li Qiang
The crackdown targeting both online gambling and cyber scams comes in the wake of an agreement reached in October between Cambodia and China to bolster cooperation in tackling cross-border crime, particularly in the areas of online gambling and cyber fraud. This agreement was discussed during a meeting between Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet and China’s Premier Li Qiang in Laos.
As part of this joint effort to combat cross-border crime, over 1,200 suspects involved in online gambling and cybercrimes were repatriated in the first half of 2024. More recently, about two weeks ago, Chinese and Cambodian police deported 240 Chinese nationals implicated in gambling fraud and other illegal activities back to China via a chartered flight.
Macau’s outgoing Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, says that “the city is no longer dominated by the gaming industry.”
His remarks to the Global Times were made in an interview marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR), which will be celebrated on December 20th.
Ho explained that while many still associate Macau’s GDP with the gaming sector, the reality is different. In 2023, gaming revenue had recovered to approximately 75 percent of its 2019 levels, but its share of Macau’s GDP stood at just 37.2 percent—slightly more than a third. This reflects the increasing diversification of Macau’s economy, as other industries gradually contribute a larger portion to the city’s economic structure.
Looking ahead, the government has outlined a goal to boost the share of non-gaming value-added sectors to around 60 percent by 2028. Ho noted that, due to historical factors, the city’s economy has long been focused on gaming. However, with changing times, Macau recognizes the need to develop a more diversified economy to meet future challenges.
Ho said that since taking office, his government has “prudently handled the revision of Macau’s gaming laws and the new round of gaming concession bidding, implementing stricter regulations on the gaming industry and clearly defining the direction for the development of non-gaming sectors.”
The Chief Executive noted that a key driver of this shift has been the recognition of the vulnerabilities of a single-sector economy, particularly in the face of uncertainties like the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Macau has been actively fostering the growth of non-gaming industries.
In the interview, which was widely reported on Wednesday by various national media outlets, Ho mentioned that over the past 25 years, Macau has made significant strides in developing a “tourism-plus” integrated industry. He highlighted that tourism, for example, plays a key role in showcasing the city’s unique blend of Chinese and Western cultures, as well as its rich culinary heritage.
Macau has also made substantial progress in establishing itself as a cultural capital, promoting the performing arts industry, which has seen notable growth. Increased ticket sales have boosted the prosperity of the performing arts sector, with positive spillover effects on related industries such as retail, dining, and hospitality. In the past two years, Macau’s performing arts scene has flourished, attracting international artists eager to perform in the city.
However, Ho pointed out that Macau’s limited number of venues remains a challenge. The largest indoor arena can only accommodate 16,000 people. To address this, the Macau SAR government has built an outdoor performance venue with a capacity of 50,000 to 80,000 people, which was launched last week, with the first concert scheduled for December 28th.
