The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Philippines is set to file an election offense case for material misrepresentation against former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia revealed that Guo had not responded to the complaint filed by the poll body’s law department. “The Comelec will submit the case information to the Regional Trial Court in Tarlac, officially charging her with misrepresentation and violation of the Election Code,” Garcia said.
Despite Guo’s involvement in several other legal issues, including her current detention at Pasig City Jail on qualified human trafficking charges, Comelec is pressing forward with the case. Garcia emphasized, “The public can rest assured that we will pursue this case fully because it concerns lying about her citizenship.”
Comelec is also exploring the option of moving the trial from Tarlac to a Metro Manila court, with Garcia noting that this would facilitate easier prosecution since the accused is in Manila custody. “A Metro Manila court would allow our law department direct involvement in the case,” he added.
An election offense conviction could lead to one to six years of imprisonment and a permanent ban from holding public office.
Comelec’s decision to file charges follows a recommendation from its law department, which found evidence indicating Guo had made false claims on her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the May 2022 elections. Guo, who has also faced accusations of involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), is additionally charged with graft and tax evasion.
Authorities in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam are set to increase unannounced inspections of gaming service facilities catering to foreign tourists, targeting establishments suspected of violations.
According to VNExpress, Le Huu Hoang, vice chairman of the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, announced that police will work alongside the Department of Finance, the Department of Culture and Sports, and the Department of Taxation to enhance oversight of companies offering prize-based gaming services.
Currently, nine businesses in the province are licensed by the Ministry of Finance to provide gaming services with prizes.
Since 2022, eight of these facilities have been regularly monitored, including notable establishments such as Tan Viet at Sunrise Hotel and Sovico Khanh Hoa at Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang Hotel.
However, the East Ocean Real Estate-Tourist company at Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel has not undergone consistent inspections despite submitting regular reports on its gaming operations. This company is now slated for additional checks in collaboration with local authorities.
Good morning. Goooaaaaaaaaaaaal! The support of sports betting continues to grow, with more punters from Asia testing their luck as accessibility rises, particularly due to online platforms. A recent study saw particular interest from China and India, with a focus on football (soccer) and basketball. Meanwhile, Thailand is pushing ahead with its draft law for casinos, set to be reviewed by the cabinet this year. And in reporting news, Sands China’s GGR market share remains steady, according to analysts.
Sports betting continues to gather momentum, with particular growth seen in the Asian market. According to a new report, global GGR from the sector isset to top $94 billion, with more than half coming from online bets. The figure is only set to grow, however, regulators need to watch out for bad actors to encourage the continued expansion of legal betting.
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.
For global betting company 1xBet, Asia is a key market for several reasons. This is why 1xBet pays special attention to the Asian market and actively promotes its sports betting platform and the most popular gambling games on the continent.
The sports betting market in Asia is witnessing significant growth, especially in basketball and football betting, according to a recent report by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).
The report was prepared by H2 Gambling Capital (H2) for the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and its partners, the Instituto Brasileiro de Jogo Responsável (IBJR), Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) and Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA).
The report forecasts that regulated global sports betting will be worth approximately $94 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2024, with a substantial 65 percent, or $61 billion, generated through online bets.
This figure is expected to grow to around $132 billion by 2028, with over 70 percent, or about $93 billion, coming from online platforms.
Countries like China and India are seeing increased interest in both traditional and online betting, driven by the rising popularity of sports such as football and cricket.
The global sports betting landscape is set for significant growth, particularly in football, which is projected to generate an impressive $53 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) from an estimated turnover of $570 billion in 2024.
As the dominant sports betting product, football accounts for over 56 percent of the regulated betting market’s gross win worldwide.
Online betting continues to thrive, with nearly 65 percent of all football GGR coming from digital platforms. The forecast indicates that Europe and Asia will together contribute to a staggering 85 percent of all football betting GGR, both online and land-based, in 2024.
In addition to football, basketball is also experiencing robust growth. North America is expected to reach around $5.4 billion in basketball GGR by 2028, driving the majority of global basketball betting growth.
The sector is forecasted to increase from $7.9 billion in GGR in 2024 to $11 billion by 2028, with Europe and Asia also contributing significantly—with projected increases of over 20 percent and 30 percent, respectively, to $2.3 billion and $3.2 billion.
Onshore vs. Offshore betting
According to H2 Gambling Capital’s analysis, 83 percent of all sports betting will be placed with licensed onshore operators in 2024, a notable increase from 63 percent in 2018.
However, approximately 17 percent of bets will still be placed with licensed offshore operators. This estimate does not include the substantial black market activity prevalent in regions like Asia, which poses challenges in accurately measuring the extent of unregulated betting.
“Maximizing onshore channelization is key to addressing integrity issues and ensuring that Asia’s growing sports betting market remains sustainable.”
The report highlights that prohibiting or restricting in-play betting does little to combat corruption, especially given the significant offshore unregulated markets available, particularly in Asia.
The lack of in-play betting options in regulated markets can lead to unmet consumer demand, pushing bettors towards offshore alternatives and resulting in lower onshore spending.
The demand for diverse betting products is growing, with in-play betting becoming particularly popular among consumers. This trend is expected to continue, as more jurisdictions in Asia consider regulatory changes to accommodate online sports betting, thereby enhancing consumer engagement.
While the rise of sports betting presents economic opportunities, concerns about integrity and match-fixing continue to loom large, with the report emphasizing the need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure fair play and protect consumers, urging countries in Asia to adopt international standards for monitoring betting activities.
Although primarily focused on Brazil, the report draws parallels with Asian markets where regulatory frameworks are still maturing, stating that Brazil’s anticipated liberalization of its sports betting market offers insights into how Asian countries might structure their own regulatory environments to combat offshore betting and enhance onshore revenues.
The IBIA predicts that as more Asian countries legalize and regulate sports betting, the region could see a significant increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR). This is not only beneficial for the economy but also for consumer protection through regulated markets that can offer safer betting environments.
Stakeholders in Asia were also encouraged to consider comprehensive regulatory frameworks that promote integrity and consumer safety while capitalizing on the growing demand for sports betting products.
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) has released its 2024 survey on responsible gambling practices among online operators. The survey analyses efforts to mitigate underage gambling and support problem gamblers.
Covering data from January 1st to December 31st of last year, it gathered responses from 33 of the 35 operators licensed on the island. The findings emphasize the role of self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and other elective controls in promoting safer gambling practices. While nearly all operators utilize mechanisms to block underage players and prevent problem gambling, usage of these tools remains limited among players.
Every surveyed operator reported employing measures to prevent underage access, including monitoring systems and validation procedures that block registrations from users under 18. The report highlighted that over 2,900 underage accounts were either refused or canceled in 2023. Most operators also adhere to ethical marketing practices, ensuring their advertisements do not target minors, with many using contractual restrictions to ensure their affiliates follow these guidelines. Isle of Man regulations also stipulate many of these measures, meaning that operators are largely compliant.
All surveyed operators deemed their existing controls to be effective or very effective at preventing underage gambling. Despite this confidence, the survey found some gaps, particularly in how operators manage marketing through social media, which could inadvertently reach younger audiences.
Self-exclusion remains a cornerstone of responsible gambling measures
In 2023, approximately 0.8 percent of registered customers – over 21,000 individuals – used the self-exclusion option. The self-exclusion process varied in speed, with requests made directly through customer accounts took effect immediately, while email requests took up to six hours. Operators also faced challenges with circumvention attempts, as players sometimes attempted to bypass self-exclusions, and over 5,000 such attempts were detected.
Elective controls like deposit, spending, and loss limits were available from all surveyed operators, yet their usage remained low. Only around 2.5 percent of players engaged with these controls, suggesting a potential disconnect between the availability of tools and player engagement with them. The survey also noted that operators often allowed users to set limits via “free text” boxes, but did not typically offer pre-set suggestions for those limits.
The report revealed that 73 percent of operators received complaints related to responsible gambling practices, particularly around self-exclusion and affordability checks. Some players reported frustration when trying to access accounts after initiating self-exclusion or during affordability assessments. Additionally, there were a few instances where players managed to circumvent self-exclusion controls, raising questions about the robustness of certain systems.
The GSC emphasized the need for clarity in communication between operators and players, especially concerning how long it takes for certain responsible gambling measures, like self-exclusion, to take effect. Ensuring that players understand these timelines could improve the perceived transparency of operators and minimize grievances.
The findings of the GSC’s report have particular relevance for the Asian market, where online gambling continues to grow rapidly. In Asia, regulatory frameworks around responsible gambling vary greatly between jurisdictions, making cross-border compliance a challenge for operators. As more Asian countries, including emerging markets like the Philippines and Thailand, develop frameworks for online gambling, the lessons from the Isle of Man’s survey can offer valuable insights.
One key takeaway for the Asian market is the importance of aligning self-exclusion processes with local cultural expectations. In many Asian countries, the stigma associated with problem gambling can discourage players from seeking help. This cultural context underscores the need for user-friendly, discreet self-exclusion tools that make the process feel less daunting.
Additionally, the report’s emphasis on limiting underage access is crucial for operators targeting regions like Southeast Asia, where youth engagement with digital platforms is high. For operators in these regions, adopting robust age-verification measures can not only ensure regulatory compliance but also enhance brand reputation among regulators and consumers.
The GSC plans to use the survey findings to refine responsible gambling policies further. It aims to improve the clarity of guidance provided to licensees, ensuring they understand their obligations. The survey’s results will also inform future legislative changes, making responsible gambling requirements more adaptable to evolving trends in the online gambling industry.
The report suggests that better collaboration between operators and regulators is essential for enhancing responsible gambling practices. By engaging with licensees and players, the GSC hopes to clarify the role of responsible gambling tools and ensure that interventions are both evidence-based and practical.
For the Asian gambling sector, this approach highlights the importance of regulatory dialogue. With many Asian jurisdictions in the process of refining their land-based and online gambling laws, the GSC’s survey can serve as a case study for balancing operator compliance with player protection.
The Macau Judiciary Police (PJ) handed over 42 money exchangers to Chinese authorities after they were detained during a special operation on Wednesday.
Throughout the day, PJ officers conducted raids at several hotels and residential units in Macau and Cotai, detaining dozens of individuals, including key members of the syndicate. The operation was coordinated by the Ministry of Public Security, targeting an illicit money exchange syndicate.
At 7am on Wednesday, the Ministry of Public Security’s task force, along with police forces from 15 provinces and cities, coordinated with the Macau PJ for simultaneous arrests.
A total of 100 officers from the PJ’s Criminal Investigation Division were deployed across several hotels on the Macau Peninsula and Taipa, as well as two residential units, resulting in the detention of 42 suspects. These individuals, aged between 27 and 63, included 29 men and 13 women, all from mainland China, representing 10 different provinces or cities.
Upon verifying the suspects’ identities, the PJ discovered that two of the individuals were non-resident workers. It is suspected that while employed in Macau, they assisted or participated in illegal money exchange activities. One of the detainees had overstayed in Macau by nine months.
During the operation, authorities seized approximately HK$3 million ($386,100) in cash, HK$160,000 ($20,590) in gaming chips, and 56 mobile phones.
Deputy Director of PJ Sou Sio Keong
New law expected to strengthen the crackdown
On October 16th, the Macau Legislative Assembly passed the detailed provisions of the “Law to Combat Gambling Crime,” which officially criminalized money exchanges for gambling purposes. Offenders could face up to five years in prison.
Following the handover, Deputy Director of PJ, Sou Sio Keong stated that once the new law comes into effect, the police will have a stronger legal basis to combat illegal money exchange activities.
Depending on whether these activities involve cross-border crimes, authorities may continue collaborating with mainland law enforcement to handle such cases. He emphasized that the situation will be assessed based on the crime landscape after the law is enforced. The PJ will also enhance intelligence-sharing with mainland Chinese authorities through technological means, making it harder for criminals to evade justice in both regions.
SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (SkyCity) has announced the resignation of Jo Wong from her role as General Counsel and Company Secretary, effective January 22nd, 2025.
In the company announcement, SkyCity Chief Executive Officer Jason Walbridge expressed gratitude for Wong’s contributions to the company over the past 16 years, stating that she has been a “valuable member of the Senior Leadership Team and has led SkyCity’s legal, company secretarial, and regulatory affairs functions through a very complex and challenging period over recent years, demonstrating strong leadership and resilience.”
Walbridge highlighted Wong’s pivotal role in navigating the company through significant regulatory and legal matters, including the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (AUSTRAC) civil penalty proceedings.
SkyCity Adelaide
In May of this year, SkyCity reached an agreement with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) to pay a civil penalty of AU$67 million ($46 million), pertaining to historical AML/ CTF failings at its land-based casino in Adelaide.
The Federal Court of Australia later approved this agreement to resolve civil penalty proceedings and ordered SkyCity to cover AUSTRAC’s costs of AU$3 million ($2 million).
Then, in September, SkyCity Casino Management Limited (SCML), a subsidiary of SkyCity was also penalized NZ$4.16 million ($2.6 million) for breaches of anti-money laundering and terrorism financing obligations (CML/CTF).
In New Zealand, SCML holds a casino operator’s license for operations in Auckland, Hamilton, and Queenstown.
Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVS) has announced an ambitious plan to invest $8 billion in the second phase of its Marina Bay Sands (MBS) complex, adding a fourth tower to the property and significantly increasing its original investment estimate of $3.3 billion from 2019.
The new phase, referred to as “MBS IR2” (Integrated Resort 2), will feature a fourth tower with over 570 hotel rooms, expanded casino space, a 15,000-seat arena, a sky roof, and approximately 110,000 square feet dedicated to meetings and exhibitions.
Entertainment Arena, Phase 2Infinity Pool
Investment in the project, which was initially announced in April 2019 at the cost of $3.3 billion, has since more than doubled to $8 billion, LVS said in its third-quarter earnings presentation on October 23rd.
Speaking in a conference call to discuss the group’s most recent financial report, Patrick Dumont, President and Chief Operating Officer of LVS, expressed his enthusiasm about the long-term prospects of investing in Singapore’s tourism sector.
“We aim to continue adding value to Singapore and remain a strong partner with the government to achieve necessary tourism goals…Our goal with this tower is to make it something very different, he added.”
This is going to be the most important gaming and hospitality building in the world. It’s going to be the best hotel in the world”
Patrick Dumont, LVS
Patrick Dumont, President and Chief Operating Officer, Las Vegas Sands
Dumont highlighted that LVS wanted to create “something extraordinary that addresses the Singapore market”, with most of the gaming group’s highest-end products going to the city-state over the last 14 years.
“We feel this project will be very accretive to our overall portfolio and create substantial value for us in the long term”, he added.
This expansion includes approximately $4.7 billion for design and construction, $2 billion for land premiums, and $1.3 billion for pre-opening and finance costs.
MBS’ net revenue declined 9.5 percent to $919 million for the third quarter that ended in September, while its adjusted property earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) fell 17.3 percent to $406 million.
LVS said it is “investing in the growth of Singapore’s high-value leisure and business tourism market” with the expansion establishing a “new ultra-luxury resort destination” that will enhance Singapore’s tourism appeal.
The gaming group expects to shoulder between 25 percent and 35 percent of the project cost directly, with the remaining 65 percent to 75 percent to be covered through project financing.
Construction of MBS’ fourth tower is scheduled to commence in June 2025 and is expected to be completed by June 2030, with an estimated official opening in January 2031.
Dumont emphasized the progress made on the ongoing $1.75 billion refurbishment program at MBS, which has entered its initial stages.
He also highlighted the strong financial performance of MBS, reporting an EBITDA of $406 million, pointing out that if the company had maintained its expected rolling play, EBITDA could have been approximately $78 million higher.
“These results underscore the impact of high-quality tourism investments and growth in high-value tourism in Singapore”, he noted.
“The company looks forward to realizing the full benefits of its expanded offerings, which will include a diverse suite of amenities aimed at attracting a high-value clientele”.
The winners of IAGR’s 2024 International Regulatory Awards have been revealed, with regulators from Australia, the Netherlands, and Denmark taking home the trophies during the IAGR & IMGL Rome Conference.
IAGR Vice President, Sarah Kelly, who was part of the judging panel, said: “This year saw one of the highest numbers of global nominations, with a diversity of entries reflecting the increasing efforts of our members to improve regulation of the gaming sector. Our winners have shown exceptional dedication in advancing regulatory standards for the benefit of the gaming industry and its consumers.”
This year’s winners showcase innovative and effective regulatory efforts from across the globe.
Regulatory Excellence Award
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
For the launch of the BetStop National Self Exclusion Register, the ACMA was recognized for overcoming complex delivery and regulatory challenges to create Australia’s first centralized exclusion register.
The award was accepted by Matthew Anderson from ACMA
ACMA Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin commented on the award: “BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register represents a significant enhancement of consumer safeguards available to Australians who gamble. The IAGR award for regulatory excellence is a recognition of the dedication and collaboration of ACMA staff in delivering this important safeguard which has supported the more than 30,000 Australians registered to date.”
The Ksa was commended for its use of data to enhance consumer protection, fast-tracking advanced dashboards to improve regulatory oversight.
Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the Netherlands Gambling Authority
Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the Ksa/Netherlands Gambling Authority said: “I was honored to be in Rome on behalf of our organization. I greatly appreciate the international acknowledgment for “Markers of risk”. I would like to thank my dedicated and impactful colleagues Dr. Flóra Felsö and Dr. Judith Kas and their team for their hard work. The report about this project will be published later this year. A great contribution to our mission which states consumers must be able to play safely. We act to prevent misconduct.”
Best Regulatory Campaign Award
Anders Dorph, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority
Danish Gambling Authority
The Danish Gambling Authority won for its ‘One Armed Bandit‘ campaign, which used humor and collaboration with influencers to engage the public on responsible gambling.
Anders Dorph, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority, said: “Our campaign “The One-Armed Bandit” targets underage persons to prevent them from gambling, which is why we took a quite unusual approach. For instance, our character uses a type of language that one does not normally hear in campaigns from public organizations. However, we found it necessary to use unorthodox methods to reach our target group and I am very thankful that the IAGR jury saw the value of our campaign.”
“Preventing underage children and young people from gambling and gambling harm is an important agenda for the Danish Gambling Authority which is why I am particularly proud of the award.”
Anders Dorph, Danish Gambling Authority
These prestigious awards underscore the importance of collaboration, innovation, and dedication in the global regulation of gambling.
Push Gaming, a leading B2B gaming supplier, has launched its slot content with the prominent operator Interwetten, further extending its reach in European regulated markets.
Interwetten’s significant player base is now able to enjoy Push’s diverse library of leading games including its recent feline-themed hit Cats of Olympuss and the martial arts epic Big Bam-Book, alongside long-standing favorites such as Wild Swarm and Razor Shark.
With a customer base approaching two million, Interwetten’s established industry presence represents a notable expansion for Push Gaming’s renowned slot offering. The launch on the operator’s main platform will soon be followed by a rollout on all its current brands.
This latest partnership maintains the studio’s growth momentum as it continues to propel its hugely popular portfolio across global jurisdictions.
Fiona Hickey, Chief Business Development Officer at Push Gaming, said: “Interwetten is a name synonymous with the highest quality offering for players worldwide and so naturally, this is an important partnership for Push that mirrors our long-term ambitions. We have a growing library of diverse titles that continues to get stronger with each release and this latest commercial development presents the perfect opportunity to invigorate that even further.”
Mario Bilic, Director of Product Management CRM & Content at Interwetten Group, added: “Push Gaming’s content needs little introduction to slot enthusiasts. The quality and choice it delivers to our entertainment-hungry players is unrivaled and makes for the perfect addition to our casino lobbies.”
