Good Morning. From Asia to the world. A recent report by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) highlights the alarming rise of industrial-scale gambling operations in Southeast Asia, which are fueling transnational crime and regional instability. These operations, particularly prevalent in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, exploit weak governance and law enforcement, with criminal networks predominantly from China targeting millions globally through illegal online gambling and sophisticated scams. Meanwhile, UBS has reaffirmed its positive outlook on the Macau gaming industry, raising 2024 mass estimates to 113 percent of 2019 levels due to better-than-expected revenue. The SAR reported 342,861 tourist arrivals during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival.
What you need to know
- Industrial-scale gambling operations in Southeast Asia a significant driver of transnational crime and instability: US report
- UBS raises Macau 2024 mass market estimates to 113% of 2019 levels, citing strong GGR, despite a 4% dip in non-gaming revenue estimates.
- A total of 342,861 tourist arrivals were recorded in Macau during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival extended weekend.
On the radar
- Surge of illegal football betting in Hong Kong ahead of Euro 2024: police.
- Philippine authorities to investigate Alice Guo for possible tax evasion.
- Federal Court of Australia greenlights $44.6M fine for SkyCity Adelaide.
- Philippines received 2.4M international visitors in 5 months, up 16.3%.
- Over 14,000 arrests made in anti-scam crackdown in Thailand.
- PAGCOR: foreign crime syndicates, not POGOs, are the real danger.
AGB Intelligence
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Transnational crime flourishes via Asia’s gambling operations
There has been an alarming rise of industrial-scale gambling operations in Southeast Asia, fueling transnational crime and regional instability, according to a recent report. These operations, particularly prevalent in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, exploit weak governance and law enforcement, with criminal networks predominantly from China targeting millions globally through illegal online gambling and sophisticated scams. The annual value of funds stolen by these syndicates is estimated at $64 billion, with operations heavily relying on forced labor.
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