Good morning. Gambling’s fastest-moving money may be the hardest to police. FATF says unlicensed offshore gambling platforms can shift funds rapidly across borders through e-wallets, mobile money and virtual assets, while regulatory differences allow operators to appear legitimate. Its latest report places casinos, online gaming and sports betting among the sectors most exposed to money laundering and calls for coordinated, risk-based supervision. In Shenzhen, MGM China is betting on a different kind of connectivity: its new 298-room MGM Shenzhen Prince Bay aims to strengthen visitor flows and hospitality offerings between mainland China and Macau.
What you need to know
- FATF warns illegal offshore gambling and fast-moving digital payments are widening AML risks across casinos, betting and online platforms.
- MGM China opened the 298-room MGM Shenzhen Prince Bay as it strengthens tourism links across the Greater Bay Area.
On the radar
- Moody’s assigns DigiPlus first-time B1 rating, flags regulatory risks.
- South Korean residents warn new Kangwon Land checks could hurt region.
- International anti-scam alliance launches with 46 founding countries.
- Malaysia’s draft gaming code targets loot boxes, spending and youth safety.
AGB Intelligence
OFFSHORE GAMBLING
Offshore gambling and digital payments raise AML concerns: FATF
Illegal and unlicensed offshore gambling has become a major AML concern, with illicit markets in some jurisdictions as large as or larger than regulated markets, FATF warned. The watchdog linked criminal misuse of gambling operators to corruption, cyber-enabled fraud, professional money laundering and organized crime. It also identified complex ownership structures, inadequately supervised white-label partnerships and commercially questionable supplier agreements as warning signs, while urging stronger market-entry checks and public-private information sharing.
Industry Updates
- Parisian Macao marks 10 years of hospitality, entertainment and tourism.
- FeedConstruct inks exclusive data deal with Central Asian Volleyball.
- Blask brings automated affiliate tracking to the iGaming industry.
Written by
AGBrief Editorial
The AGBrief Editorial Team is a group of contributors living around the world that are connected to Asia Gaming Brief. They are active members in pursuing the sources of our news, making them reliable and accurate for our readers.
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