Good morning. Pause and think. Hong Kong authorities have put plans for basketball betting on hold, citing concerns that prediction markets may attract users to unregulated platforms and indirectly support illegal wagering. With global trading volumes surging and sports-related activity gaining traction, officials said current conditions are not yet suitable for a regulated rollout. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, land-based operator Okada Manila reported a 17.2 percent year-on-year drop in first-quarter GGR to $108.1 million, with EBITDA down 53.3 percent, while online-focused PhilWeb returned to profit, with revenue jumping 30.4 percent in 1Q26, driven by eGaming growth.
What you need to know
- Hong Kong halts basketball betting rollout amid concerns it could drive illegal gambling through fast-growing prediction market platforms.
- Okada Manila 1Q26 GGR drops 17.2 percent as the Philippines market softens, with EBITDA down 53.3% and weaker VIP and mass segments.
- PhilWeb 1Q26 revenue climbs 30.4 percent to $3.9 million, with eGaming services and new partnerships driving profit turnaround.
On the radar
- Ainsworth bidder flags governance gaps, presses for board reform.
- International Monetary Fund raises Macau growth forecast to 3% for 2026.
- Indonesia freezes 33,000 bank accounts in an illegal betting crackdown.
- Philippines logs 1.76M foreign visitors in 1Q, up 2.6% year-on-year.
AGB Intelligence
SPORTS BETTING
Hong Kong shelves basketball betting over prediction market fears
Hong Kong has paused its planned rollout of basketball betting amid growing concerns that prediction markets could fuel illegal gambling. Authorities said the rapid expansion of these platforms, particularly in sports-related activity, creates regulatory uncertainty. Despite earlier legislative approval intended to channel demand into legal channels, officials believe conditions are not yet suitable. The government will conduct further study before moving forward, prioritizing safeguards to prevent unintended support for unregulated wagering.
Industry Updates
- Kambi’s Abios strikes new esports data partnership with Google.
- Bally’s Intralot secures new Shared Services deal with BCLC.
- Creedroomz debuts “Road to El Dorado”, raising the bar for game shows.
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