Good Morning. Restrictions don’t always lead to success. With a new wave of constraints hitting the Asian gaming sector, it’s no surprise the underground market continues to thrive. Differentiating between betting products is crucial for jurisdictions aiming to reduce gambling harm while still fostering a safe and profitable environment, according to experts. Looking to Macau, FY25 expectations continue to rise after August’s peak, with hopes that GGR could increase by 8 percent or more. But is the growth sustainable?
What you need to know
- Asian gambling regulators risk causing more harm than good if they tighten controls too far on licensed operators.
- Brokerages see Macau’s GGR rising 8%+ in 2025 as visitation climbs, consumer spending strengthens, and travel demand recovers.
On the radar
- Sands China secures 24% mass gaming share in 2Q25: UBS.
- PAGCOR clarifies leaked list restricts officials, not addiction cases.
- South Korea’s Paradise Co. reports 11.7% revenue increase in August.
AGB Intelligence
REGULATION
Strict controls drive punters to the black market
Asia and Oceania have been undergoing a new wave of regulations and controls. And while all is shiny on the outside, the fact is that the attempt to ‘clean up’ the industry can actually be driving more traffic underground. In a new report, the IFHA outlines how illegal betting is growing, even as countries try to battle sites hosted outside of their jurisdictions. But one thing is clear: over taxation leads to increased social costs.
Corporate Spotlight
90-Day Playbook for Winning Asia’s Gaming Market | GR8 Tech
Every operator can launch, but few can lead. In Asia, leadership is won in the 90 days after go-live, when payments feel effortless, content resonates locally, and every touchpoint builds trust.
Why Asia’s iGaming operators must rethink risk strategy | SEON
Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud. Asia Pacific’s iGaming market is expanding extremely fast, and a new wave of digital-savvy players is pushing demand through the roof. But the rise in adoption has outpaced regulation in many markets, and fraudsters have taken notice.
Industry Updates
- Soft2Bet celebrates 9 years of innovation at SBC Summit Lisbon.
- GoldenRace teams up with Inbet to bring Penalt2Win to Bulgaria.
- Altenar partners with Opta to boost soccer betting features.
INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS
