The Macau SAR government reported MOP37 billion ($4.6 billion) in gaming tax revenue from January to May, marking a 78.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Financial Services Bureau (DSF).
In May, gaming tax revenue was MOP7.15 billion ($889 million), a decrease of 9.9 percent from April’s MOP7.94 billion ($986 million) but 25.4 percent higher year-on-year.
The May tax figure reflects Macau’s gross gaming revenue from April, with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) previously reporting April GGR of MOP18.55 billion ($2.30 billion).
The Macau government projects gaming tax revenue for FY24 to be around MOP83.6 billion ($10.4 billion), with the budget execution rate from January to May currently at 44.3 percent.
Total government revenue for the first five months of this year reached MOP43.6 billion ($5.42 billion), a year-on-year increase of 72.3 percent. The special gaming tax from concessionaires accounted for 84.9 percent of the total.
Good Morning. Let’s travel to the Comoros. While Anjouan is positioning itself as the “new Curaçao” with quick and convenient licensing, its relatively lightweight regulatory framework may raise compliance concerns in the long run as global standards continue to tighten. In a new jurisdiction analysis, AGB provides an overview of the online gambling jurisdiction of Anjouan, one of the three main islands that make up the Comoros. Meanwhile, Tabcorp announced the appointment of a new CEO, just as the NSW government weighs up raising betting tax to 20 percent after a proposal from the Australian gaming company.
What you need to know
Asia Gaming Brief takes a look at Anjouan as part of its series on existing and upcoming grey market licensing jurisdictions.
Australian gambling giant Tabcorp announced the appointment of Gillon McLachlan as the company’s new Managing Director and CEO.
NSW government weighs up raising betting tax to 20 percent amid Tabcorp proposal, affecting corporate bookmakers.
On the radar
Legal battles mount for Imperial Pacific International in CCC dispute.
Light & Wonder announces new $1B share repurchase program.
PAGCOR says no licensed POGO hubs next to US military cooperation sites.
AGB provides an overview of the online gambling jurisdiction of Anjouan, one of the three main islands that make up the Comoros. Anjouan has been marketed more heavily as a new option for operators, particularly in the wake of changes in other grey market jurisdictions like Curaçao. The article discusses Anjouan’s licensing offerings, noting that while it looks to position itself as the “new Curaçao” with quick and convenient licensing, its relatively lightweight regulatory framework may raise compliance concerns in the long run as global standards continue to tighten.
Affilka by SOFTSWISS, a leading provider of affiliate management software for iGaming, wins in the Affiliate Software Supplier category at the esteemed EGR B2B Awards 2024.
The EGR B2B Awards celebrate the very best service providers in the online gaming industry. The accolade recognises the achievements of suppliers from across all the major industry spheres, including gaming and betting software, IT and infrastructure, payments and safer gambling tools.
Award-winning Affilka by SOFTSWISS provides top-notch affiliate management software that integrates with any casino, sportsbook, or poker platform, ensuring productive operator-affiliate relationships. Currently, the software powers over 360 brands, having almost 260 thousand affiliate accounts.
The software includes integrated payment systems, which help operators to process payments directly from the Affilka’s back-office in a few clicks. The software also provides interface customisation, multi-product management and dedicated support. Zero setup fees and real-time tracking and reporting also represent significant advantages of the platform.
Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS, expressed his pride: “The team is honored to achieve such a valuable accolade. Our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of possible and changing the iGaming industry for the better through technologies and innovations made this prominent win real. On behalf of the entire team, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our partners and clients, whose trust and support fuel our enthusiasm.”
SOFTSWISS was also named as a silver winner in the Sportsbook Platform Supplier category at the EGR B2B Awards. The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook covers 2,000+ unique markets with 100,000+ live events in 200+ sports, including esports and premium cricket. It provides a seamless, secure, and efficient environment for both operators and players.
Booming Games is proud to announce that its highly-anticipated title, Ronaldinho Spins, is now available to players worldwide.
Ronaldinho Spins is the first slot game ever created featuring the image of international football superstar Ronaldinho Gaucho. After months of development and refinement, the slot is now set to deliver entertainment and joy with its stunning visuals and exciting features.
From the beginning to the end, players can anticipate continuous bonus action. This begins in the base game, where the Ronaldinho Wild can appear on reels two, three, and four. When it lands, it expands to cover the entire reel.
Landing at least 3 Scatters triggers 12 Free Spins with Major symbol upgrades. Every time a Wild lands, symbols get upgraded to boost the payouts, plus for unlimited kicks the Free Spins can be retriggered. Additional Free Spins can be won when three or more Scatters land while the Bonus plays out. The Ronaldinho Wilds are also in play – one, two or three Wilds award an additional one, three or five Free Games respectively. During the Free Spins, each Wild symbol will upgrade all instances of the lowest major symbol on the reels, to the next hight major symbol for the duration of the round.
In the Ronaldinho Spins slot game by Booming Games, three Bonus Buy options have been added for the very first time. To enter the Free Spins round, players can choose between a Regular Bonus, a Super Bonus with two symbol upgrades, or an Ultra Bonus with four symbol upgrades. The Bonus Buy feature is available in selected jurisdictions.
Ronaldinho Spins’ max win potential is 5,000x.
Max Niehusen, CEO at Booming Games, said: “Recent months have been incredibly busy and exciting for our company as we’ve dedicated ourselves to crafting the first-ever slot game featuring Ronaldinho. We’re thrilled with the final result of Ronaldinho Spins and eagerly await industry feedback. This marks our initial venture with Ronaldinho, with more content slated for release soon. We’re glad to share this exclusive slot game with players worldwide, providing them with an unforgettable experience alongside one of football’s greatest icon.”
Frederik Niehusen, CCO at Booming Games, added: “The launch of Ronaldinho Spins has exceeded our expectations, and we eagerly anticipate the industry’s feedback. This partnership with Ronaldinho signifies a thrilling new phase for us, made even more opportune by its timing just before EURO 2024. We’re excited to present this exclusive slot game to players globally, offering them an unforgettable experience.”
Moritz Blume, Director of Product at Booming Games, said: “Ronaldinho Spins invites players to step onto the field alongside the footballing legend as he charges towards the goal. However, victory isn’t achieved alone; it’s a collaborative effort with Expanding Wilds and Free Spins paving the way. Serving as the very first release in our Ronaldinho series, this game has already demonstrated remarkable success during its exclusive launches. With a growing demand for branded content, our partnership with Ronaldinho signifies our ability to develop exceptional slots that captivate both our partners and their players.”
Authorities in the Philippines have announced that criminal charges are due to be filed against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.
The announcement was made by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in the Philippines on Saturday.
According to PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio, an interagency council consisting of the PAOCC, Department of Justice, Office of the Solicitor General, and Philippine National Police will meet on Tuesday to finalize the charges.
The charges, described as “serious” and “non-bailable,” will target Guo and others involved in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban, Tarlac.
“Criminal charges will be filed against a good number of people on Friday with regards to the Bamban operation,” Casio said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
Guo is under Senate investigation for her alleged involvement with Zun Yuan Technology, a POGO hub raided by police and military in March for alleged human trafficking and serious illegal detention at the Baofu Land Development compound.
The same compound was raided in 2023 when the POGO hub was still called Hongsheng. It was renamed Zun Yuan after the raid.
The PAOCC spokesperson mentioned that Guo’s name and signature appear on many documents related to the case but withheld specific details to avoid giving her legal team an advantage.
“We have strong evidence that will support the criminal allegations against Mayor Alice Guo and a good number of people in the Bamban operations,” Casio said.
The camp of Mayor Alice Guo previously asked the Office of the Ombudsman to lift her six-month preventive suspension over her alleged link to the Bamban POGO hub.
The Ombudsman ordered the preventive suspension of Guo and two other Bamban officials , business permit and licensing officer Edwin Ocampo and municipal legal officer Adenn Sigua, on May 31st, citing “strong evidence showing their guilt.”
The complaint was based on findings of a task force created by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to investigate the culpability of local officials in abetting POGO firm Zun Yuan’s illegal activities in Bamban.
Several lawmakers such as Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian renewed their call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ban POGO firms, citing their threat to national security and ties to organized crime.
In a major leadership move, Australian gambling giant Tabcorp Holdings Limited today announced the appointment of Gillon McLachlan as the company’s new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
McLachlan, who is currently the CEO of the Australian Football League (AFL), will join Tabcorp on August 5, 2024, and assume the role of Managing Director and CEO upon receiving all necessary regulatory approvals.
In the interim, he will act in an observer capacity, while Bruce Akhurst continues to serve as Executive Chairman.
Tabcorp considered that McLachlan brings a wealth of experience to the group and a proven track record of success.
During his decade-long tenure as the CEO of the Australian Football League, he led the organization through a period of substantial growth, more than doubling its revenues from AU$502 million ($332.1 million) in 2013 to AU$1.06 billion ($661.7 million) in 2023.
Gillon McLachlan
He was also responsible for securing the largest sports broadcasting rights deal in Australian history.
Under McLachlan’s leadership, the AFL competition expanded to 18 teams, and he also oversaw the launch of the AFLW (Australian Football League Women) competition.
Additionally, Tabcorp said he demonstrated expertise in managing complex stakeholder environments and working productively with all levels of government.
“Securing Gill is a great vote of confidence for Tabcorp’s future. We’ve laid strong foundations, and Gill brings a growth mindset and the capability to capitalize on the opportunities ahead of us,” Tabcorp’s Executive Chairman, Bruce Akhurst, highlighted in the announcement.
Akhurst also noted that McLachlan’s deep understanding of sport, racing, and wagering, combined with his significant commercial acumen, will be invaluable for Tabcorp’s business, particularly in the areas of wagering and media.
Tabcorp has announced a substantial loss of AU$636.8 million ($417.2 million) and a 5 percent revenue decline in its latest half year report. The loss was mainly attributed to a significant cash impairment within its wagering and media division, stemming from reduced gambling activity and heightened tax rates.
Asia Gaming Brief looks at existing and upcoming grey market licensing jurisdictions and compares what they offer to the industry. This week we take a look at Anjouan.
We shine a light on everyone from Curacao to Kahnawake and Tobique, presenting you the basic facts and analyzing the pros and cons of every jurisdiction based on our in-depth expertise, industry feedback, and decades of experience in the field. We continue the series with one of the newer jurisdictions vying for business, Anjouan.
What & where is it
Anjouan is an autonomous volcanic island in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Located off the east coast of Africa, between Mozambique and Madagascar, Anjouan is one of the three main islands that make up the country of Comoros. It has around 360,000 inhabitants, with most of them living in the capital city of Mutsamudu.
The current egaming legislation is called the Computer Gaming Licensing Act 007 of 2005. While the jurisdiction has therefore been around for a while, it has only really been marketed more heavily in the last year or two, and in the wake of the Curacao changes.
What licenses does it offer?
Anjouan calls its license a “comprehensive” one that covers B2C and B2B, as well as various verticals including casino, sportsbetting, poker and lottery. White Labelling is also allowed, but sub-licensing is not. The jurisdiction requires local data replication which is part of the license fee. One Key Person (similar to the Designated Official in the Isle of Man) is also included. Additional Key Persons can be added at a cost, as can additional URLs as only two website addresses are included per license.
Applicants have to undergo a reasonably strict due diligence process as well as pass a compliance check and provide various policies to show adherence with regulations. While not as heavy as in other jurisdictions, licensing due diligence requirements appear adequately strict to ensure only suitable applicants are approved.
Cost & Taxes
License fees including initial setup fees and required ISP service for compliance backups is EUR 17,000 ($18,500). Additional Key Persons can be added at a cost of EUR2,000 ($2,150) each.
There is no gaming tax.
What countries can you target?
Anjouan currently states the following territories as being restricted or prohibited, and the regulator requires that they must be GEO IP blocked: Australia, Austria, Comoros, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, USA, all FATF Blacklisted countries, and/or any other jurisdictions deemed prohibited by Anjouan Gaming Board and Offshore Financial Authority.
Guidance also states that licensees are required to have done their due diligence prior to accepting and registering players from any territory ensuring compliance with local laws. This essentially means operators should obtain a legal opinion if there is uncertainty about the legality of operations in any territory. This is in line with other jurisdictions.
How long does it take?
The stated processing time is currently two to three weeks, making an Anjouan online gambling license one of the quickest ones a company can obtain. Adding some time to prepare the required paperwork and it should be feasible to complete the process in as little as two to three months.
Do I need a company there?
No. The Anjouan regulator does not require the gaming company to be on the island. Businesses are therefore free to choose a company in other jurisdictions to apply for the license. There is an option to have an Anjouan International Business Corporation registered on the island as part of the licensing process and this is currently priced at around $4,000. A local data backup is required but this is part of the license fee.
Do I have to go there?
No. Anjouan licenses are administered off island and there is no requirement to travel to the island.
Can I get banking and payment services?
Generally, yes. The general claim is that Anjouan is seen in similar light as the Curacao of old, meaning companies should be able to engage with certain PSPs and some banks. However, in some cases it might be necessary to engage with payment partners through a separate entity, depending on where the licensed company is based. This will also be a familiar procedure for anyone who has held a Curacao license in the past. Basically, you will be looking at the same kind of Cyprus, Isle of Man or other payment setup that was required there.
Is the license accepted by suppliers and third parties?
Generally, yes. From what we are hearing and seeing, Anjouan licenses can be used to satisfy the compliance requirements of many software suppliers. As this greatly varies from company to company, it is always recommended to check before applying for an Anjouan license. Having seen how popular the license has become in recent times, and that little negative feedback in terms of acceptance has surfaced, it does indeed seem to be roughly on the same level as the Curacao from years gone by.
Pro and Contra Summary:
Anjouan is selling itself as the New Curacao, meaning it wants to offer quick and convenient licenses at reasonable cost. Although the current gaming legislation has been in place since 2005, the island can be seen as a relative newcomer to the grey market licensing game. Its rise in popularity came as a result of changes in other places like Curacao and it will remain to be seen how the jurisdiction will grow in the future.
A quick turnaround time and relatively low price tag will be very appealing to many companies looking to obtain a license and potentially make the island a suitable option for smaller operators and startups. The underlying legislation appears somewhat lightweight when compared to other jurisdictions, which may cause lower levels of comfort for compliance departments.
In the long run, global compliance requirements are getting ever stricter and often it is not the gaming regulator making the real rules, but the banks and payment providers behind them. As it is possible to get payments with an Ajouan license at the moment, it does certainly seem like an appealing and cost-effective option. Its long-term credibility and suitability in the market will remain to be seen, especially with other jurisdictions also getting in on the game.
The New South Wales (NSW) government is contemplating raising the statewide betting tax from 15 percent to 20 percent, prompted by a proposal from industry leader Tabcorp.
Daniel Mookhey, Treasurer of New South Wales
This potential increase could significantly impact corporate bookmakers such as Sportsbet and Ladbrokes.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, as reported by local media, The Sydney Morning Herald, on Friday, stated that the government is reviewing the possibility of increasing the point of consumption tax to match Queensland and the ACT, with consultations planned before any final decision.
Mookhey emphasized that gambling companies must contribute their fair share. He stated that the NSW government would closely examine Tabcorp’s proposal and would implement changes if they clearly benefit the public.
The point of consumption tax (POCT) was introduced in 2019 to require corporate bookmakers to pay taxes to the state where a bet is placed, rather than where the bookmaker is registered.
Tabcorp, the sole wagering company registered in every state, has advocated for the concept, citing the unequal tax landscape across the wagering sector. Unlike most corporate bookmakers like Sportsbet and Ladbrokes, which are registered in the Northern Territory and benefit from lower betting taxes in states such as NSW, Tabcorp has highlighted disparities in taxation.
Additionally, Tabcorp holds the exclusive NSW retail betting license, allowing it to operate the state’s totalisator and maintain sponsorship exclusivity at thoroughbred racecourses.
Tabcorp stated that the tax increase would create a level playing field and modernize retail exclusivity.
In a statement to the ASX, Tabcorp commented, ‘This is a positive step towards ensuring the sustainability of the NSW racing industry.’
Tabcorp has proposed not only increasing the betting tax but also reforming legislative and licensing requirements for wagering. This includes revisiting agreements with the racing industry and the 10 percent shareholder cap. Additionally, it addresses the findings and recommendations from the Hospitality and Racing’s Modernisation Review of the Totalizator Act.
Over the past three years, annual turnover in the wagering industry has declined by 12 to 16 percent, with a notable drop in Queensland following the increase of its betting tax to 20 percent in late 2022.
Barni Evans, CEO of Sportsbet, expressed concerns that the proposal could favor Tabcorp at the expense of industry sustainability.
Sportsbet, Australia’s largest bookmaker, currently contributes over AU$300 million ($198 million) in taxes, levies, and fees in NSW under the current tax framework. Nationally, it pays AU$1.2 billion (794 million) annually to governments and sporting bodies in taxes and fees.
Evans emphasized the need for a funding model that supports industry sustainability without favoring any one stakeholder and expressed readiness to discuss the issue further.
Highlighting the decline in Queensland racing revenue due to recent tax increases, Evans cautioned against similar measures in other states, fearing they could worsen financial setbacks.
Evans underscored that racing’s future hinges on increasing wagering turnover, which has been declining for the past 18 months, and warned that higher taxes, as observed in Queensland, would not spur growth in the industry.
Global gaming and entertainment company Light & Wonder has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new three-year $1 billion share repurchase program.
This new program replaces the company’s previous $750 million share repurchase authorization, which was fully utilized as of June 13th, 2024.
Over the course of the prior program, Light & Wonder purchased 11.2 million of its own common shares, representing 11.5 percent of oustanding shares. The average purchase price was $66.72 per share, a 28 percent discount to the June 13th closing price of $92.35.
“I am pleased to announce that the Board has approved a new, upsized share repurchase program as we continue to successfully execute our growth strategy and return meaningful capital to our shareholders,” said Matt Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Light & Wonder.
“With strong operating performance continuing across the business, we remain on track to achieve our $1.4 billion Consolidated AEBITDA target for 2025 while continuing to invest for the future.”
The first quarter of this year saw Light & Wonder deliver a 12th consecutive period of yearly revenue growth, as gaming revenue topped $476 million, a 14 percent yearly increase, and AEBITDA rising by 13 percent yearly.
In the same statement, Oliver Chow, Chief Financial Officer, commented the group still has significant options “with regards to capital allocation”, with the company aiming to drive profitable growth and upside beyond 2025.”
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) stated that they have not issued licenses to any Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) sites operating next to Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) locations.
“We have not given any license to any companies located beside any EDCA site,” said PAGCOR chairman Alejandro Tengco, according to the Philippine Inquirer.
This comes as the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said that “a good number” of POGO sites are located near EDCA sites. Tengco said any POGO site next to an Edca location must be illegal.
Signed in 2014, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement allows the U.S. to allocate funding to improve and construct facilities within existing Philippine military bases as well as to deploy American troops on a rotational basis.
The two countries identified five bases for the EDCA initiative in 2014, then added another four bases, including the two in Cagayan, in 2023, with several of them located in the South China Sea.
In April 2023, President Marcos allowed the U.S. access to four more Philippine military bases under EDCA, with three of these sites facing Taiwan having irked China.
Tengco also said they had cracked down on illegal POGO activities, reducing the number of accredited “internet gaming licensees” to 43.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año stated that POGO sites do not yet constitute a “national security threat” requiring military involvement, but rather a concern for police and civilian agencies to handle.
