Good Morning. India’s blanket ban on online gambling has resulted in significant job losses and stunted growth in the digital sector, leading industry expert Japneet Singh Sethi to argue that the government has missed a crucial opportunity for smart regulation that could have fostered innovation and economic benefit. Meanwhile, casino visits by Singapore citizens and permanent residents decreased from 99,000 in 2023 to approximately 94,000 in 2024, with only about 2.8 percent of the population visiting casinos in the territory.
What you need to know
- Indian industry expert argues that the country’s government has missed a crucial opportunity for smart regulation that could have fostered innovation and economic benefit.
- Casino visits by Singapore citizens and permanent residents fell in 2024, with about 94,000 locals entering the city-state’s two casinos.
On the radar
- Esports and social games in focus; Indian legislation goes for consultation.
- Vietnam continues to review casino and betting legislation.
- Circulation to Cotai from Macau peninsula possible in future T8 typhoons.
- Bitcoin hit all-time high over the weekend, topping $125K.
AGB Intelligence
INDIA
Blanket ban on online gambling hits India’s fast-growing digital sector
India’s recent blanket ban on online gambling has severely impacted its burgeoning digital sector, leading to significant job losses, halted sponsorships, and a ripple effect across related industries, according to iGaming strategist Japneet Singh Sethi. According to the analyst, over 200,000 jobs have been lost, affecting everything from advertising to fintech, and grassroots sports leagues have also suffered revenue declines. Sethi criticized the government’s approach, arguing that an outright ban merely pushes demand underground and suggested that a more regulated framework, akin to models in the UK and Malta, would be beneficial.
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
- BMM Testlabs kicks off World Tour at G2E, spotlighting digital expansion.
- Play’n GO partners with Genting Group to enter land-based casinos.
- The Innovation Group appoints Anita Grim as Senior Vice President.
INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS
